Hdin Decisions

[TsPcFs]

Hello all.
I currently have a MP Enigma, but it requires 55 STR.
I want to use it on my Hammerdin, but I have invested no points thus far - I've traded away my Anni, so I'm left without any stat boosters. I don't know when I can get an anni or a Paladin Torch [I have a necro one, but I don't think I want to trade it].
Here's the choices
a) trade the necro torch for a paladin one [it's 19/19] and if I do this, should I wait for anni or no?
b) wait for an anni and/or torch, though I know not when I'll get either
c) put 55 pts to STR, and maybe upgrade to a DS or AP Enigma later or something, hoping things will work out at the end.
d) something I didn't think of.
Thoughts?

[jrsilva]

Well, it all depends on what level of perfection you are aiming for. I think 55 STR invested is not that much, it will allow you flexibility regarding other gear to use and it will not harm your char's stats too much...

[Ed from Russia]

Perhaps a FCR ring with some strength bonus is an option, if you can find it. I have one, but not trading.

[TsPcFs]

Level of perfection? As long as it works, I'm fine with it.
This brings up another question, however.
[By the by, I decided to invest the STR points]
Now I'm wondering how many points to spend into dexterity - should I count how much dexterity I'll get from a torch and a anni? And if I do, [assume both are average] does anyone know how much to put into dexterity?

[illestkhmai]

Level of perfection? As long as it works, I'm fine with it.
This brings up another question, however.
[By the by, I decided to invest the STR points]
Now I'm wondering how many points to spend into dexterity - should I count how much dexterity I'll get from a torch and a anni? And if I do, [assume both are average] does anyone know how much to put into dexterity?

Max block with holy shield.

[TsPcFs]

Max block with holy shield.

Well I know that, I'm just not sure how much dexterity to put into it to obtain that Max block with holy shield. I don't have the torch or anni yet, so I can't just tell easily like so.

[illestkhmai]

Well I know that, I'm just not sure how much dexterity to put into it to obtain that Max block with holy shield. I don't have the torch or anni yet, so I can't just tell easily like so.

Neither can we, I'd just go with what you need for gear, and keep going from there until you get your anni/torch. Unless you're seeking the perfect hdin, it should be okay to be a LITTLE bit over.

[zallus]

Neither can we, I'd just go with what you need for gear, and keep going from there until you get your anni/torch. Unless you're seeking the perfect hdin, it should be okay to be a LITTLE bit over.


Actually there is a way that we can tell or at least give you a very close estimate.

But I need to know a few things.

What level your char is at?
How many + skills do you have?
What level your holy shield is currently?
What kind of shield are you using?

I can give you a very good estimate with answers to these things. Acutally I might have 1 more questions but the these are the most important.

[illestkhmai]

Actually there is a way that we can tell or at least give you a very close estimate.

But I need to know a few things.

What level your char is at?
How many + skills do you have?
What level your holy shield is currently?
What kind of shield are you using?

I can give you a very good estimate with answers to these things. Acutally I might have 1 more questions but the these are the most important.

That's what I meant, we didn't have anything so how could we :tongue:.

[Ed from Russia]

For the formula go to the stickies of the Statistics section.

However, the easiest way is to go to the screen where you enter strength, dex, etc., and hover your mouse over your dexterity. It will show your block rate. Simple add enough to dex to get it to 75% and put the rest in Vitality (naturally after you have enough strength for equipment). Holy Shield makes a huge difference, and so do dexterity bonuses from equipment (e.g. Raven Frost).

[TsPcFs]

For the formula go to the stickies of the Statistics section.

However, the easiest way is to go to the screen where you enter strength, dex, etc., and hover your mouse over your dexterity. It will show your block rate. Simple add enough to dex to get it to 75% and put the rest in Vitality (naturally after you have enough strength for equipment). Holy Shield makes a huge difference, and so do dexterity bonuses from equipment (e.g. Raven Frost).

Ah, yes.
The two things that give me dexterity are ravenfrost [19] and HoTo [10].
Should I use the Raven as a par of the final gear?

[TsPcFs]

Actually there is a way that we can tell or at least give you a very close estimate.

But I need to know a few things.

What level your char is at?
How many + skills do you have?
What level your holy shield is currently?
What kind of shield are you using?

I can give you a very good estimate with answers to these things. Acutally I might have 1 more questions but the these are the most important.

Ah, yes, sorry.
I'm using HoZ.
Level is 85.
Holy Shld is currently lvl 19
I have +13 on combat, +9 on both the aura's.
Other things mentioned in previous post - I use 1 Raven by the by, not two.
edit: since i plan on using medium anni and torch, assume +30 dex from those two, so +59 total dex at the end.

[DoomBoy]

if you're a h-din, why don't you have a spirit shield?

[TsPcFs]

if you're a h-din, why don't you have a spirit shield?

Because HoZ is better.

[TsPcFs]

Because HoZ is better.

Hmm, after reading some other messages, I'm beginning to doubt myself. Can someone explain to me why Spirit would be better than HoZ? I never thought of it as much of a good shield for a Paladin, unless it's to switch out for CtA or something of the sort.
Also, as for the helm, I was wondering if I should use the following over shako: [listing relevant mods only] +2 Paladin Combat Skills, 10% FCR. I was thinking of using Shako for its MF. What are the opinions of others?

[Ed from Russia]

Shield
The +2 to skills from spirit will boost your damage a lot, and would be my first choice for a PvM Hammerdin. However, in PvP you need Max Block and the low base block chance of Spirit means your dex needs to be higher so your vitality is lower. That makes it a tough choice but I think I would still go with Spirit over HoZ.

Helm
Depends on the purpose of your build. In PvM FCR is not as important, and if you want to do MF runs go with Shako. In PvP the FCR will play a role so go with the Circlet.

[TsPcFs]

Shield
The +2 to skills from spirit will boost your damage a lot, and would be my first choice for a PvM Hammerdin. However, in PvP you need Max Block and the low base block chance of Spirit means your dex needs to be higher so your vitality is lower. That makes it a tough choice but I think I would still go with Spirit over HoZ.

Helm
Depends on the purpose of your build. In PvM FCR is not as important, and if you want to do MF runs go with Shako. In PvP the FCR will play a role so go with the Circlet.

I don't plan to PvP at all, so I guess shako would be better?
Also, doesn't HoZ give more to skills? I just can't see how spirit is better. :undecided:

[Hey]

35fcr/112mana/8magic sorb/35 total res normal/80 with a 45 res targe or something/2skills on spirit is great for stacking res. I hit nearly 16k damage, not full of pcombs yet, the 125fcr bp (just barely, got 125 fcr :P) and I rarely die with spirit, hoz i wouldn't hit the 125 bp, but I would have like what, 1k more damage? Plus the stacked res is gg, which makes most casters barely hit you, as in, my hdin can easily tank a 43k dmg meteor smack on me with bo. Imo, go with 35fcr/45allres targe spirit. also, iirc, HoZ doesn't give fcr? Or res, you won't get anywhere NEAR the stack on it.

[Nitroflash]

As I've learned from my thread ("How to get more FCR on my hammerdin?" or something like that--it's a few pages down), Spirit > HoZ if the Spirit can get you to 125 fcr. Then, as someone told me, damage over time will be boosted 10% multiplicatively--WAY higher than the +2 combat skills can (they both have +2 all, so no need to worry about that). That thread also has my planned gear, still in the process of getting it. The only thing about going from an HoZ to a Spirit is the resists--but in a good base, you should still have plenty.