good up'd, ber'd rockstopper a viable BvC helm?

[olwe]

Forgive the newb questions, but I was wondering a few things:

1) If one can't get a Crown of Ages, especially a 2 socket one, is a rockstopper an acceptable helm? It has a lot of nice mods:

30% fast hit recovery
Good resistances on a good one (~40 on fire, cold, light)
10% DR
18% DR with a Ber
Good defense when upped (~300ish)

I've seen other BvC recomendations to use a Ber'd Vamp Gaze, but in that case you don't get any FHR or resists.

Thoughts anyone? Get a 1 socket CoA instead?

2) Also, different question, but since this is Barb vs. Caster, for the arreats in stash, why do people put ed/ias jewels in it when a) um would provide more resistance and b) WW is not affected by off weapon ias?

Thanks for any info.

[Thoridian]

no, ber'd gaze > that crap

[olwe]

so what do you do for fhr / resists?

Charms?

[Ce Olba]

so what do you do for fhr / resists?

Charms?

Yes. Get 10* fhr scs instead of 4. You lose 287 life though.

houghts anyone? Get a 1 socket CoA instead?

1 socket CoA is the best alternative to a 2 socket one.

2) Also, different question, but since this is Barb vs. Caster, for the arreats in stash, why do people put ed/ias jewels in it when a) um would provide more resistance and b) WW is not affected by off weapon ias?

Because the resistances are not needed, the damage addition is neat and the 15% IAS allows you to hit breakpoints for Widowmaker.

[olwe]

1 socket CoA is the best alternative to a 2 socket one.


If I try to get a 1 socket CoA, is it only worth getting if it is 15% dr? If not is the vamp gaze better?

[olwe]

Ok I just got a 15% dr / 25 resist CoA 1 socket, and put a Ber rune in it. Is there any gear change I need to make to compensate for the lack of 2 sockets or will I just have to deal with less DR?

[Ce Olba]

Ok I just got a 15% dr / 25 resist CoA 1 socket, and put a Ber rune in it. Is there any gear change I need to make to compensate for the lack of 2 sockets or will I just have to deal with less DR?

You will just have to learn how to play a little bit more carefully now.

You're lucky to have a 1-socket CoA on your starter BvC. I didn't even have a Gaze, a Rockstopper or a CoA. I used Arreat's until I got CoA (which was for about 7 months).

[olwe]

You will just have to learn how to play a little bit more carefully now.

You're lucky to have a 1-socket CoA on your starter BvC. I didn't even have a Gaze, a Rockstopper or a CoA. I used Arreat's until I got CoA (which was for about 7 months).

Thanks, this is my second pvp attempt after my first character, a fury wolf druid who is a lot of fun to play.

This one's going to require a rebuild to get the stats right (way too much str now)but I think I have all of the gear now, minus a widowmaker which I'll get shortly, and I'll be using 2x 3wc weapons instead of 2x dooms b/c 2x dooms are expensive :laugh:

[Ce Olba]

Thanks, this is my second pvp attempt after my first character, a fury wolf druid who is a lot of fun to play.

This one's going to require a rebuild to get the stats right (way too much str now)but I think I have all of the gear now, minus a widowmaker which I'll get shortly, and I'll be using 2x 3wc weapons instead of 2x dooms b/c 2x dooms are expensive :laugh:

Well, then you should try to buy ones that are both throwable and got lifetap charges (will take a good while though).

As for the stats, if you go with the flexibility build (duress/fortitude vs. hammerdins), you should go with stating like this:
str: 103 - torch - anni
dex: 117 - 1raven - torch - anni

This will allow all of the changes you will ever need.