What is the importance of PDR to Zons (build advice wanted)? der=0

[thewoodshed]

OKay, I am creating a new Zon. this is only the second zon I have ever made, the first being a 1.09 Cow Plow. With the onset of 1.10, I learned the importance (or perhaps I should say usefullness) of PDR. So I came up with a build by reading the guides and talking to a few friends. Here is the build:

Max Strafe
Max Valk
MAX CA (synergize FA)
MAX FA
1 CS
1 evade
1 dodge
1 peirce
1 avoid
1 penetrate (AR)
rest: Decoy

Equipment:
.08 ber'ed gaze
CoH
Verdungo's
BotD Crusader
CTA Mat (lack of +skills may remove this as weapon switch choice)
Cat's Eye- ammy
Crafted gloves or lavagouts
For rings, probably a LL ring and a ravenfrost
Boots are undecided

Charms:
(8) +1 to passive and magic skills.
Anni
Res charms.

As it is set, I'll max out on the PDR. However, with a BotD Crusader as my primary bow my IAS is at 100%. BP for for 9/3 is 89% and for 9/2 is 120%. I can get the extra 20% IAS through switching the Gaze for a MAX dam/IAS helm but then I loose a lot of PDR.

Which is the best alternative?

'shed
(Newbie to Zon building)

[Liessa Wyrmbane]

This is strickly my personal opinion and I'm sure many people will disagree, but I think PDR is completely unneeded for bowazons. I have build many bowazons and NONE of them has EVER weared any pdr. And for the record, I play only hardcore and have a base vita Strafer and she's doing peachy with 0% pdr.

[Teknocide]

I would say it depends on what you get hit by - PDR is just like any other resistance. Against such enemies as Pindleskin & Co., PDR is very important. You'll have to think on how you plan to play your character; if you tend to go toe-to-toe with enemies, PDR is most certainly useful. However, as you are planning an archer, I think that it is less critical for you to have maxed PDR.
Just remember to watch out for those Stygian Harlots..

[thewoodshed]

I would say it depends on what you get hit by - PDR is just like any other resistance. Against such enemies as Pindleskin & Co., PDR is very important. You'll have to think on how you plan to play your character; if you tend to go toe-to-toe with enemies, PDR is most certainly useful. However, as you are planning an archer, I think that it is less critical for you to have maxed PDR.
Just remember to watch out for those Stygian Harlots..

Well, I am an agressive player generally. I build my Sorc's with max block and PDR becasue of this and I can tank almost any boss as a result. This is also why I love my Concentrate barb. I mention this, and I am told I need to learn to be less agressive and even if I am not most will attack my Valk and Merc meatshield first so in the end it really isn't need.

The difference here is between having a 100% IAS with a crusader and breaking the 9/3 FPS BP or havining 155 IAS and breaking the 8/2 FPS BP. Is there that big of a difference?

'shed

[Shanksie1337]

i'd agree with Liessa 100%, zon's really should be taking physical damage and i have never bothered get PDR on any of my zons either.

[Liessa Wyrmbane]

Zons are suprisingly good at not getting hit. Effective use of Decoy, Valk and Slow Missiles along with knockback and good dodging skills (both D/A/E and with your mouse) should keep you out of harm's way. I'm a big fan of the Dodge/Avoid/Evade -- my zon has them at base level 15/15/11

[thewoodshed]

Zons are suprisingly good at not getting hit. Effective use of Decoy, Valk and Slow Missiles along with knockback and good dodging skills (both D/A/E and with your mouse) should keep you out of harm's way. I'm a big fan of the Dodge/Avoid/Evade -- my zon has them at base level 15/15/11

Okay guys- you've convinced me. Instead of the Ber'ed Gaze I'll go with a 11x ed%/45 IAS helm and Nos coil for the belt instead of Verdungo's. I can make up the mana leech through a nice ring selection.

So, final build will be:

Max Strafe
Max Valk
MAX CA (synergize FA)
MAX FA
1 CS
1 evade
1 dodge
1 peirce
1 avoid
1 penetrate (AR)
rest: Decoy or peirce
Might Merc

Equpment:
11x/45 IAS Helm
CoH Archon
NoS Coil
BotD Crusader/WS: CTA&Lidless
Cat's Eye/Highlords (ammy)
Crafted gloves w/ 20IAS, +2 skills, KB
Rings: DL rare/crafted/ BK's wedding band/Ravenfrost
Boots are undecided (Aldur's/Gore's/rare)

Charms:
(8) +1 to passive and magic skills.
Anni
Res charms/FHR/FRW charms.
As is stands, the passivle skills will be at 13-16 depending of selection. This will yeild 77-82% peice. The guides say to max it, but I don't see how.

LMK you opinion on this build.

'shed

[Liessa Wyrmbane]

If I calculated it correctly you only have 155%IAS which is enough for 8 frame normal attack (FA,CA etc), but not enough for 8/2 Strafe (breakpoint is 157%IAS). :(

Click here for the revised Strafe breakpoints

[thewoodshed]

If I calculated it correctly you only have 155%IAS which is enough for 8 frame normal attack (FA,CA etc), but not enough for 8/2 Strafe (breakpoint is 157%IAS). :(

Click here for the revised Strafe breakpoints

Yes, you are correct- I am at 155% IAS. According to the updated FAQ's on this site, that chart is not correct:

http://www.diabloii.net/characters/a...at%20is%20IAS?

The BP for a WSM [10] bow to attain 8/2 FPS/Strafe is 147% IAS.

If the basin site is correct, then I am going to abondon the build and go back to my previous PDR based one becasue the 157% would not be reasonably attainable unless you use with a 15X/60 IAS Armor. IMO this is not realistic to do this and be able to play everywhere in PvM.

I am beginning to understand why bowazon's are an abandoned class.

'shed

[Omikron8]

Bowazons don't need damage reduction of any kind - end of story

If you let monsters get to you that easily through your valk/decoy and merc your zon deserves to die