Defense vs. Chance to Block

[Farre]

I noticed on Shields, Bucklers etc. Defense is not the same as CtB.

1) Why? I thought Defense was the chance of the Shield catching/deflecting the blow, so that the player doesn't take any damage.
2) What is better? More defense or more CtB?

[krischan]

A higher chance to block is better.

The defense ratings of all your items are added together and then put into a formula, together with your level and your opponent's attack ratingand level. That means, your opponent can do something about hitting you, by getting a higher attack rtating or being of a higher level.

Blocking is a separate check which an attack has to pass to deal damage, but the attacker cannot influence that chance, except by making an attack which hits all the time anyway. The chance to block is capped at 75%. To see it, move the mouse pointer over the defense rating on the character screen. The value shown on the shield is just a base value (except for classic).

The chance to block depends on base blocking, dexterity and character level. To keep up a certain blocking chance (I recommend either to keep it at 75% or to ignore blocking completely), you will have to make further dex investments when the level increases.

[Ephraim]

You can find the formulas here:

Chance to Hit (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551#Chance to hit) and Chance to Block (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=551#Chance to Block).

[Gorny]

lols at Krischan.:whistling: