LLD101

[eAr_gOd]

Hey, I came accross a guide on the web that recommended a 3os large shield for a lvl 9 jabber. His justification was pretty interesting: 55 dex gives max block on a large shield, and 5 frame block is faster than any lvl 9 can attack. A 30/20 gives 4 frame blocking, so you are pretty much trading off 1 frame blocking to have 1 extra jewel. Does anyone know the effectiveness of using a 3 socket large shield?

[breakbeatz2]

Yes 3 socket large shield is best. Jab is uninterruptable so you don't need fbr often.

[Popeye]

I tend to agree with breakbeatz and the original poster of that guide here. Another way to think about it is, since a zon's weapon doesn't have any sockets, and other characters tend to have access to 3-6 sockets to jewel on their weapons, an extra socket in the large shield for a jewel is very helpful in raising a zon's typically low damage when compared to other chars. Of course, you do lose out on the mods of a rare or magical two socket shield such as damage to mana, fhr, etc. But, if you can make up for that in other areas such as jewelry or jewels, a large shield gives greater potential in the long run, but is much more expensive to use and much harder to optimize your char. Either choice works, but as always it really depends on the rest of your gear and how willing you are to fund your char.

[food-ranger]

would a 3 socket large sheild also work for a vlld throw barb too?

[breakbeatz2]

Nope, you need to much dex to hit max block, and blocking speed is too slow.

[food-ranger]

[krajee]