Def / resistance question


ClawsandEffect

 

Posted

If I have capped range defense would it be smarter to go with resistance type epic shield instead of defense to s/l?


 

Posted

In most cases, yes.


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Posted

If going for positional defenses, typed defense is kinda pointless. Smash/Lethal defense does not stack with range/melee/aoe defense. And all smashing/lethal attacks would qualify as either range, melee, or aoe. Only a few psi powers don't classify as one of those 3.


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Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scin_Device View Post
If I have capped range defense would it be smarter to go with resistance type epic shield instead of defense to s/l?
It really depends. How much defense to SM/L do you have before adding an epic shield? What is your AT and what shields can you take-- specifically, can you take Scorpion Shield?

Let's take an example: You may already have 12%+ Smashing/Lethal defense with Weave, Combat Jumping, Gaussian's, Steadfast, et al. If you were a defender, this value would increase to 35% by adding a socketed Scorpion Shield. That's roughly equal to 70% Sm/L resistance as far mitigation goes, so it's far better to go defense than resistance because you are able to stack mitigation with the ubiquitous availability of defense in this game's system.

The important thing about Scorpion Shield is that it also adds Energy defense, and Energy/Negative is paired with Ranged in the IO system. You could very possible make a toon that has 30%+ defense to Sm/L while being softcapped to Ranged/Energy. That is a far better route than taking a resistance shield.


 

Posted

I agree with Julius.

The resistance shield will be better against Ranged S/L attacks, obviously, but you've already trivialised them with your defence.

The big remaining threat is large melee attacks, which are often Smashing/Lethal, but not always.

Depending on what else you've got, you could have around 70% S/L resistance as a Defender (less for other squishies) if you slotted Tough and an epic shield, or you could probably get 35% S/L defence, which is equivalent mitigation.

I'd go towards Scorpion Shield in most cases. Ranged and S/L defences are quite complementary, even though they do overlap a bit.


 

Posted

I would do resistance. If you're doing DEF you should do -either- S/L or M/R. If you've already doing range, building for S/L is sort of a weird way to go about it. My Blaster has range DEF and S/L RES.


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Posted

I'M an illusion/cold controller with capped range and capped s/l currently. I have been thinking of improving my build by changing my epic from cold to fire. I wasn't positive if switching from the defense to the resistance shield would be better.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Madam_Enigma View Post
If going for positional defenses, typed defense is kinda pointless. Smash/Lethal defense does not stack with range/melee/aoe defense. And all smashing/lethal attacks would qualify as either range, melee, or aoe. Only a few psi powers don't classify as one of those 3.
There are a couple Gravity Control powers that are flagged Smashing ONLY. You won't be encountering them that often, but let me tell ya, it was one helluva rude awakening the first time I fought Kadabra Kill with a positional defense based character.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dechs Kaison
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Posted

Throw in another vote for a resistance shield. Capped defense by itself is not enough for the things I like to do, but YMMV.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nihilii View Post
Throw in another vote for a resistance shield. Capped defense by itself is not enough for the things I like to do, but YMMV.
Yee, this. If you've got soft capped defense, go for the resistance, it does help considerably when your defense fails, when enemies have tohit buffs, or you just get unlucky. Or for resistance shields with more than one damage resistance type to expand your protection.

Alot of times, depending on your AT/Build the other powers in epic pools with resistance shields will have other powers that you might want, ex: Soul Drain.


 

Posted

Since the OP is a ill/cold I would go with Mace Mastery

why you ask?

I have a ill/rad and ice/cold def who both went with mace and love it

if you take tough/weave & combat jumping its very easy to softcap to S/L and energy you also get some decent ranged defense. And you will have a little bit of resistance to a few types as well.

This can help you free up slots and go for plus recharge having perma pa and am on a ill is very nice.

The other 2 big reasons for mace is the extra pet is great but poisonous ray to stack with sleet and infrigidate


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