+defense on enigma

[SnickerSnack]

After always thinking that I could never afford enigma, I'm nearly poised to roll my own. My question is this:

Is the +% ed on superior armor applied to the +defense from the runeword?

If not, compared to the +750-775 defense added by the runeword, the little bit added by being superior (~80 at most) is kinida small. BUT, if the superior +% ed DOES stack on the +750-775, then superior is a must. Put another way, does using superior armor get me 80 more defense, or 200 more defense?

Or, should I not split hairs and just cough up some more runes to get the best armor I can?

Edit: Also, I see that archon plate seems to be the most used. Is it the best looking?

Edit: I also just answered my own question by using google image search and a few calculations. The +% ed from the superior does not affect the +def from the runeword. So a perfect superior armor buys me at most 80 defense.

[helvete]

Archon, mage, dusk are the most used. Mainly because torch/anni/maras/shako can grant 47str alone, allowing for a base str build.

the %ED on superior is mostly wanted for the best base defense, since any item that spawns with %ED has a base defense of max+1 (525 for archon plates, etc). %ED is calculated before +def so no, it won't work on the +def from enigma.

[zarirazz]

as for which armor is best looking, google d2 body armor appearance. iirc there's a link to it in the barb forums =)

[SnickerSnack]

Ok, thanks. I'm looking at buying a 520 archon for pul, so I think I'll go with that.

[KremBanan]

After always thinking that I could never afford enigma, I'm nearly poised to roll my own.
If you really want to get an Enigma and still have some wealth, I reccomend trading for the worst Enigma possible. Why? Because the important mods on the runeword are fixed, the various +def on an Enigma doesnt really matter at all when engaging combat. You can probably save a ~hr, if you trade for a really low one. And still have almost a hr to spare(for your mercs Fortitude perhaps?)

[SnickerSnack]

That's an interesting idea. The armor is for a fishymancer, so there will be no melee - unless I move it to another character at some point. Do you mean I should be able to get a low enigma for around 1.5 hr (given some patience)?

[KremBanan]

Im not sure on prices on US, but Im pretty sure you can get one for under 2hrs.

[MrOzio]

I went ahead and made my fishy's enigma out of a Sup (15/15) Breast Plate. I can use close to base str and still have all the bonuses that most miss out on. I dont have 984579384 annis or torches laying around so he doesnt have either - but he doesnt really need them.

[SnickerSnack]

OK. I have a thread in the US West Trade Forum ISO 3os armor and a jah. I updated it saying that I would also be interested in buying any enigma for ber mal (1.75 hr). Hopefully that does it.

My fishy has 60 strength and with gear comes to 119 strength (w/o armor). So, for the most part, str is not an issue. He needs high strength for his shield (Gerke's Sanctuary).

Thanks for your great suggestion, Krem.

[AgentMarth]

You know, i've never bothered with defense on Enigma, since it does just add +xxx not +%. The only characters that would really take advantage of the extra def imo are Barbs and Paladins. A Necro, like you said, doesn't have any defense modifiers, so in the end, the extra bit of defense won't make or break you, while however, the high str can.

I remember making Enigmas in Ring Mails and BP's and the likes, because I could easily shop them in act 2 normal, and because I liked the looks of them better that the standard armor that everyone else uses. Also, 30 str means is can go from char to char without any str issues, unlike say a 103 Archon.

[SnickerSnack]

You know, i've never bothered with defense on Enigma, since it does just add +xxx not +%.

I agree with that now. It's too bad that the normal/exceptional leather looking armors only get 2 sockets maximum. I like the look of hard leather/demonhide/scarab husk, but enigma will only fit in the elite version.

I'm going to try to get an existing enigma rather than roll my own, it would be nice to have ~mal left over instead of nothing.

Krem: It's funny that you mention a merc fort, since I've traded away two ~1100 eth 4os armors recently (for hr each). The next one will probably go to a merc.

[nerdly]

Another reason for the Archon plate: It's the highest def light armor, meaning you get no movement/stamina penalty for wearing it as a non-Barbarian class. Not sure if the penalty applies only to stamina drain or if there's also a run/walk speed penalty.

If you look at the Strength requirements on the armors going down the list, when you come to the light plate graphic you'll notice a jump down in the strength required to use it. I believe this is the main reason people make enigma in Archon Plates.

700 defense is good, 1200 is of course better. If you don't need defense then there's really no use in going higher if you're only interested in the other stats on the armor. One point: I wouldn't make an armor for use with your character with trade value in mind. Use armor that works for your character, it's far more satisfying to explain how your character is different rather than comparing roles in the same base item. Just my opinion, of course.

[KremBanan]

One point: I wouldn't make an armor for use with your character with trade value in mind. Use armor that works for your character, it's far more satisfying to explain how your character is different rather than comparing roles in the same base item. Just my opinion, of course.
Mean the opposite. If you are making the armor yourself, I would strongly suggest a 15ed armor. Its far more satisfying to use. If you dont wanna use a 15ed, use a close-to-perfect or perfect base non-superior armor. Why? For resalevalue. For example a 9ed armor aint very goodlooking and the resaleprice really gets affected by it.