Max block

[Change Thrower]

So my level 78 sorceress with full tal rashas set died in hardcore. So my next mfer for hardcore i figure to build with max block since the other sorc had no dex. Will this allow me to mf hell mephisto better than having no block? Should max block be mandatory for this situation? What do you think? Thanks guys.

[udgard]

Hmm.. just wondering, do you play Bnet or SP? On SP, you could reroll till you get a good map and won't have to worry about block if you moat-trick him. If you're playing Bnet where the map changes each game, then you would need something to keep you alive while finding your way there... but maybe it shouldn't be block, unless you get a good FBR as well. Otherwise, the slow block animation might make you unable to teleport, which might be the one to actually kill you.. IMHO

[Farproc]

http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=557123

Documents a sorceress that max's blocking, as well as having a well optimized energy shield to - safely - teleport to mephisto and have enough frozen orb to kill him.

Very single task, but rather good at it. It seems.

[SeCKSEgai]

max block is a tad wasteful. Either you're using a low block shield for solid bonuses (ie spirit monarch) or a decent blocking shield that offers decent protection but lacking in the bonuses.

With Meph, I always used merc to tank him so sorc rarely had to worry about a lightning strike or cold ball from Meph.

I really can't justify blocking on a sorc since blocking only can do so much, and if you die if you don't block the hit, it defeats the purpose. Points required in dex to boost block will be far more useful in vit. When you can survive the hit, you should have the time to pop a rejuv. Shield blocking is great, but its' limited.

[sirpoopsalot]

Shield blocking is great, but its' limited.

Precisely my thoughts. Some attacks simply can't/won't be blocked, and in those cases, having a large life-pool is your best chance.

Which is why I like Nightfish's suggestion of balancing a moderate amount of shield blocking with a moderate amount of life. In particular, decide what's a minimum amount of acceptable life, and attain that first - and after you reach that point, pursue blocking over more life.

For example, I find that having 800-1000 life is enough in hell that many/most monsters that do successfully attack you don't cause hit recovery. Likewise, with decent resists and this much life, you should be able to survive most/all 1-hit kills from even the nastiest of nastys. Avoiding stunlock & 1-hit-KOs can be important in HC, to say the least.

Now, at that point, it means you should do what you can to avoid having hits cause damage in the first place. Which is where shield blocking comes into play. As long as you're quick on the potions and aren't getting stunlocked or 1-hit-KO'ed, blocking can be more effective than more life in reducing the damage that you receive.


Of course, this is quite dependent on your equipment. Those able to afford nice equipment can often reach ~1000 life AND max block, while the poorer players will often have to settle for ~800 life and ~50% block.

But, playing HC, I'd rather have 800 life and 50% block than 400 life and 75% block, personally.

[Baboon]

Nicely put SirP

I restarted singleplayer lately and at first I decided to make a Spirit Shield (and therefore no block) but then I noticed I don't have a 4 socket shield. So I figured I might as well use block with a Rhyme Shield (i don't have anything better than a Rhyme Towershield).

I guess I will settle with 50%-ish block and try to get a decent healthpool first, like you suggested.

I was hoping I can tank Hell Meph with it, like I used to do in 1.09. Not sure if that is still viable, I never liked Moat tricks or having to keep a Merc alive there.

[SeCKSEgai]

Depending on your killing speed, you wouldn't have to tank for long. In Sp it be a bit rougher to kill Meph in just a few hits, but that be my method. I also always keep a merc handy - when he dies you're probably in trouble and he can buy you the time to get out.