Newbie shield question: Optimal for block %, cap?

[Kyreth]

I know Aegis is the best of the bunch. Is there a cap on block%, and what's the biggest shield besides Aegis that can get there (with merits)?

[Hollaback]

Supposedly you can reach 65-70% block rate with 300 shield skill, using a type 3 (Kite) shield.

[Furionstormrage]

The biggest, with merits, that will get you the highest block rate is probably a size 3 (Kite) shield.

Size one will block a lot more, but will mitigate a very small amount of damage, same with size 2, so size 3 seems to be the best % of block rate and damage absorbed. (barring Aegis)

[Kriz]

If blocking is your most important goal, would it be best to go Light Buckler (size 1 with Shield Skill +5)?

As a WHM with not amazing shield skill, I'd think blocking as much as possible would be best (due to never being interrupted on blocks now).

As an aside, what rate of blockage are the turtle shields (like Genbu's)?

[Sci]

As an aside, what rate of blockage are the turtle shields (like Genbu's)?

Genbu's Shield is size 1, so very high block rate.

[Dak Rey]

I thought that the non-interuption applies only with Shield Mastery, so you would have to be whm/pld... ick.

[Kyreth]

Yep. Shield block = noninterrupt is PLD or /PLD only.

Though the thought of a BLM/PLD using one of those dinky shields they can get like an Astral Aspis would be kinda amusing, if the block % was high enough. I doubt they could get very high block rates even with /PLD thanks to gimpy Shield skill, but who knows.

At least you'd get autorefresh. (/laugh)

[Kaylia]

I was wondering the other day, would a pld/nin with small shield be good on HNM now. If shield proc a lot more, it could be useful to succesfully cast ichi/ni without being interupted? Or are they still better with the bigger shield.

[Annihilator]

with capped shield skill and AF boots, its not hard for any PLD to hit the cap proc rate on the size 1 and probably size 2 shields

by pumping shield skill above 300-310 depending on the mob, the block rate on a size 3 shield comes pretty close to cap as well

using a size 1 shield for anything other than skilling up shield skill would be a waste of damage mitigation, since its easy to attain the same proc % with a size 2, and the master shield is a size 2 with +10 shield skill that could serve well an interruption- build, while still mitigating more damage than a buckler

of course the PLD would then lose the enmity from a koenig/kaiser shield, and gearing up in function of shadows failing to be up sounds like a tank looking to delevel fast

[Elesirdur]

As Annihilator pointed out, it's tough to give up the +3 Enmity from Koenig Shield when /NIN as I can't think of any Size 1 or 2 shields with comparable +Enmity stats on them. During events when I'm /NIN tanking using Sword+Shield, I macro in my Shield Torque during Utsu casting to help with block and interruption rates; if things are getting dicey I'll throw on my Gallant Leggings +1 during the fight, otherwise I use my lolAdaman Boots for the extra few points of Enmity.

I picked myself up a Gold Buckler a few weeks ago to try while farming organs in Al'Taieu; I was not happy with the slight increase in block rate for the very significant reduction in damage mitigation. After those experiences (which I didn't bother trying /NIN) I gave up on smaller shields for now. If someone can provide some hard data or good anecdotal experience for end-game /NIN tanking using a Size 1 or 2 shield and experiencing better success in getting Utsu casted then I may change my mind. Until then, however, I'll keep using my Koenig Shield.

[Judai]

It's very rare that I struggle to get Utsu: Ichi up. Especially when you are working with another tank or two and most likely have some stunners who can help. I don't see a reason to lose the +3 Enm on Koenig and the higher damage reduction for more blocks.

With my 2 shield merits, I swap in Shield Torque and Gallant Leggings while casting Ichi. This bumps me to 300 Shield Skill and gets me close to that 65% Block rate with the Koenig. The damage mitigation from the smaller shields is a big difference then that of the bigger ones.

Endgamewise, I just don't see a reason to use anything but Koenig, unless you have an Aegis.

It's even rather easy to t2t MNK mobs now in Dynamis. 100Fists> Sentinel> Shield Equip on: 300skill> t2t and watch the blocks. I rarely ever even drop to yellow. I've even CureIVd myself during the Hundred Fists.

[Kaylia]

It's very rare that I struggle to get Utsu: Ichi up. Especially when you are working with another tank or two and most likely have some stunners who can help. I don't see a reason to lose the +3 Enm on Koenig and the higher damage reduction for more blocks.

With my 2 shield merits, I swap in Shield Torque and Gallant Leggings while casting Ichi. This bumps me to 300 Shield Skill and gets me close to that 65% Block rate with the Koenig. The damage mitigation from the smaller shields is a big difference then that of the bigger ones.

Endgamewise, I just don't see a reason to use anything but Koenig, unless you have an Aegis.

It's even rather easy to t2t MNK mobs now in Dynamis. 100Fists> Sentinel> Shield Equip on: 300skill> t2t and watch the blocks. I rarely ever even drop to yellow. I've even CureIVd myself during the Hundred Fists.

Did you guy ever tanked wyrm, khimairai and other stuff like this tho? I wouldnt say struggle, but I know at khimairai, shadow get wiped a lot.

[Judai]

Actually, yes I have. I goofed on Khimaira before most people. After TTK wiped that first night, I goofed off on him with some friends. We didn't do much but I did tank him fine for awhile. Yes, it wasn't "easy" keeping up shadows but it wasn't so bad I would think about losing the damage mitigation and enmity from Koenig. It's very easy to get your Shield 300+ if you need it that high and maintain the damage reduction as well as getting to the high block rates.

I also tanked Jorm. If you recall, a few days before your LS beat Jorm the first time, my LS at the time JoS took him to 10% before wiping and giving it up. I may not be in a major HNM shell but I have at least goofed off on most of the major HNMs. I've also tanked Ultima/Gods and other such stuff. You may not have seen me in any of the big shells but I have fought/killed just about everything in the game in my time.

My point was, with multiple tanks you work together. When one tank is getting beat on, the next one should be pulling hate and taking over for a moment.