Shield blocking contra vitality and Shield type?

[leeloo]

Hi

My Smiter will soon start doing DClone-runs (and maybe even tristram).
I have ~250 stat points to distribute over dex and vita.

1)
Is it absolutely necessary to pump dex until max block is reached? Have anyone tested going for a lower total blocking %, say 60? thus getting more life.. (reason i don't want to max dex right now is because it will take some time to get a torch/anni and end-gear for him and when i do i will get an overkill dex.)


2)
Shield suggestions?

In last ladder I used an HoZ, which imo worked perfectly. I can't afford a HoZ to start with now though, and thus want some suggestions.

I'm thinking about making a Sanctuary (Ko Ko Mal) in a sacred targe. Always wanted to make this rw which imo has really nice stats. I have a great chance getting ~100 resist all, increase chance of blocking, fbr, dex and whatnot. But maybe a spirit will do the job? Need suggestions!


3)
Kinda nooby q but: Is shield blocking capped at 75% ? I.e making a sanctuary in sacred targe will be "overkill" block %? (85, capped at 75?) or does the game just show 75 as max?

Thanks

[TheBassman]

I cannot answer the 2 first questions, however I can assist on the 3rd.

Max block is capped at 75%. However your shield's % chance to block and your overall chance to block are NOT the same.

For example take Herald of Zakarum Gilded Shield.

A normal Gilded Shield's chance to block is 52%.

Thanks to the +30%chance to block mod on the Herald of Zakarum your Gilded Shield now has a total chance to block of 82%.

The paladin skill Holy Shield adds roughly 34% chance block% when casted(depending on the level, but we'll use 34% for this example). Making your shield's total chance to block 116%.

When hovering your mouse over the defense of you character you'll notice your overall chance to block being lower than 75% at base dexterity.

With the formula:

Dexterity = [(75 * (clvl * 2))/%CTB]+15

You will now be able to find your desired dexterity to achieve 75%ctb.

Character Level 90
Dexterity = [13500]/[116%]+15
= 116.38+15
= 131.38 (rounded up, 132 dexterity required)

Just an exmaple but you get the just of it, Don't rely on your shield's chance to block to give a correct indication of your overall %ctb.

[AnimeCraze]

Keep in mind that:
1. Phase blade takes 136 dex, and IMO every damage dealing zealot's final weapon should be grief. A shield like scantuary or HoZ should need less dex than that to reach max block, so plan according to that instead.
2. The last thing you want on an uber killer is torch and anni (especially torch). You want to go in, kill, get out. Switching character is a risk (of people snatching the anni/torch, or the game disappears when you switch). Furthermore, there's also an issue with Blizz's lag "fix". A torch might possibly drop your game with all that is going on in there.