Up'd HoZ???

[WingBlade]

is it worth upping a 158ED HoZ???? :/

[MYK]

Gilded Shield
168 - 158% - 433 Defense or around there
Top end HoZ is 507 defense
89 str req.

upgrades to...

Zakarum shield
193 - 158% - 498 defense
Top end upgraded HoZ is 582
142 str req.

Smite damage goes from 20 to 28(24) to 46 to 46(46).

Minimal defense gain, almost doubles base smite damage, strength requirement goes up which also increases smite damage.

If you're having trouble not smiting backenough life with lifetap on, upgrade it. If it's just on any ol' paladin then don't upgrade it.

[LuckyDwarf]

The defense is negligible. Only upgrade it for aesthetics or for smite damage.

Lucky

[AgentMarth]

I agree with Lucky, only really for Smite damage. The higher str can hurt a low/base str build unless you can still get the 122 (?) to bug it on.