Smite: To Exile or to HoZ?

[HaLoPhReAk]

mainly PvM (soon ubers), i got a PoS exile, with doing about 1.3k visible dmg, or should i trade for an upp'd hoz? I REALLY like the life tap, and defiance. Or should i trade for better exile.

-stick w/ low exile
-Get upped HoZ
-get decent exile?

[Evrae Altana]

If your Exile is a piece of trash, then stick with HoZ.

[Archedgar]

Does phoenix ED% work with Smite?

If so, how come no one uses it?

[Evrae Altana]

Does phoenix ED% work with Smite?Yes, it does.
If so, how come no one uses it?Pitiful block rate, that's why.

[kingdryland]

Phoenix is used in pvp widely. It lacks block and defense,and exactly these two features are irrelevant in smite duels. So the massive damage bonus it grants helps a lot. Still an uped hoz is overall better of course.

[Archedgar]

Block and defense seem less and less important nowadays, considering most of the strongest dueling classes are casters: Wind druids, Hammerdins etc.



I do have a follow up question... how is HoZ better than 400% ED? considering that 400% ED should be somewhere around 1500-2000 damage or more , per hit.... also taking into account that Phoenix has absorb and boosts to maximum resists(more than Exile) and can have 40% resist all which, isn't that far off from HoZ's base 50...

I just don't see it...

Oh yeah, thanks for the info so far.

[kingdryland]

What you don't see is a full blow whirlwind doing triangles around you. Smiters have to face those too. Overall means against a variety of opponents.

[[exile]]

As far as overall usefulness goes I think HoZ is still the best. Exile and Phoenix are both stash-items IMO.

The thing I like about Phoenix is that even if your build is dependant on Enigma for the Strength boost, ie. you can't switch out to Fortitude, you can still switch out to a Phoenix and keep the rest of your gear on.

Personally I think the only useful Exiles and Phoenixes are Resist-base Sacred Targe versions. The Dex requirement discrepancy between HoZ and either of them is less than 30, assuming high-level HS.

[kingdryland]

I second that. For me phoenix should me made in an all res base since it already has a damage bonus bigger than the one from fortitude,it doesn't need a 60% extra,it will be an overkill. Exile from the other hand,in my opinion has its best application when it is made in a ed/ar base paladin shield and it is used by a zealot that has invested in blessed aim. This way he can get the same defense a defiant zealot with eth hoz/alma has and at the same time much bigger ar bonus at high levels. ( At level 94 he has already topped the ar bonus the best alma negra can have).

In any case, sacred targe is the best base shield for the job.My only compromise would be a sacred rondache.

[MegaFlame]

Firestorm from the phoenix interrupts your attack, that's why I use either hoz or exile.