Meteorb: Socket Stormshield with?

[blinkin cheek]

I'm playing a HC meteorb PvM only - standard build. Level 62 now planning for later on. target end gear:

Shako
Maras
Oculus
Viperskin
Stormshield
Magefist/Frosties
Arachnid Mesh
Silkweave
ravenfrost and rare ring

I dont have high runes so no coh or cta or hoto - no soj either

I'm going for block

Socket the stormshield with:
a) hel or -req jewel for lower str requirement
b) eld to get it up to 74% block

any view on how important 74% block is against 67% block?
thanks for any thoughts

[PhatTrumpet]

1. Oculus' CtC Teleport will get you killed. Use something else (Wizzy, Eschuta's, 'Spirit', Suicide Branch... anything but Oculus).

2. To see what effect the two socketing options will have, simply employ the chance to block formula found in the Strategy Compendium (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551). Compare the str saved for the -req socketing to the dex saved for the Eld socketing (at a particular clvl... choose something reasonable like lvl 80 or so).

3. Silkweave's are not very beneficial to your build. Use Waterwalks or Sandstorm Treks instead (or War Travs if you're an MF fiend).


That being said... it's commonly accepted around here that full Tal's is better for a Meteorb Sorc than just about any combination of uniques. You get a really nice balance of damage, MF, and survivability. In your case, you could still have max block with Stormshield and maintain at least 63% FCR (which is really all you need).