How to maximize shield block rate

[sarlazzar]

Hi, all, I just recently got Aegis, <3ing it of cause, but after looking at the topic in this forum about aegis, where some screenshot posted that ppl with aegis blocked 10 hits in a row from faf, i begin to think m not getting the most out of this shield. I know that the higher the shield skill is the better block rate i get, I got 316-323 shield skill on most of the time, depend on if i want mp from parade gorget or the extra 7 shield skill from the torque. but i dont ever remeber me blocking 10 in a row, not even mention at some hnm like faf or nid. just wondering what I am missing here, agi? pls help out .

p.s didnt find a topic related to this on search, but if i missed it, sorry about posting again, pls link me to the existing topic

[Eaglestrike]

Blocking 10 hits in a row is simply getting lucky. Last data I saw said the maximum block rate is 65%, so normally you'll miss every 3rd block. I'm supposed to only have a 12-13% chance at getting a triple attack, but I've gotten 4 in a row before, it's the same thing, just getting lucky.

[Ryko]

I've blocked 8 hits in a row on khim, then a week later gotten stomped (granted solo) by hydra for 9 shots without blocking any of them, it's dumb luck sometimes.

depend on if i want mp from parade gorget or the extra 7 shield skill from the torque. but i dont ever remeber me blocking 10 in a row, not even mention at some hnm like faf or nid. just wondering what I am missing here, agi? pls help out .

Also are you talking /nin or /war? Because you can use both if you're doing the former, just swap in the shield gear when casting shadows.

[sarlazzar]

Also are you talking /nin or /war? Because you can use both if you're doing the former, just swap in the shield gear when casting shadows.

asking about /war mainly, /nin not really a problem

[Therin]

With 316 skill and an Aegis you should be hitting the cap, or very near it.

Watch over time and you'll see that your proc rate approaches 65% as you keep testing.

[Ruth]

I've seen an Aegis PLD take Hundred Fists from a Dynamis Mob when a Sleepga from another mob slipped through. The animation was him basiaclly putting his shield up in the block position most of the time, with only an occational tick of it lowering.
He survived too, only had his HP taken down about 50% through the entire time. He has D Ring, Shadow Mantle, and another -damage item which name escapes me at the moment. I asked him buy me a lottery ticket after seeing that proc rate.

[skurlover]

I've seen an Aegis PLD take Hundred Fists from a Dynamis Mob when a Sleepga from another mob slipped through. The animation was him basiaclly putting his shield up in the block position most of the time, with only an occational tick of it lowering.
He survived too, only had his HP taken down about 50% through the entire time. He has D Ring, Shadow Mantle, and another -damage item which name escapes me at the moment. I asked him buy me a lottery ticket after seeing that proc rate.

If he had saved his Sentinel, he would still be @ 90%.

[Seedz]

The whole Shield skill with Aegis thing has been bothering me lately, as I need to re-sort my combat merits to finish WAR. I often find myself sitting at 296 skill whilst /nin (no homam feet yet) and it certainly seems enough. Rarely do I forget to hit my "shadows down" macro (which puts me at 318 skill), but when I do and I have to take a hit or two, I block them more often than not.

Even with Aegis I don't think /WAR is worth it for most things, I still only /WAR for Dynamis and other random stuff.

[Minions]

The whole Shield skill with Aegis thing has been bothering me lately, as I need to re-sort my combat merits to finish WAR. I often find myself sitting at 296 skill whilst /nin (no homam feet yet) and it certainly seems enough. Rarely do I forget to hit my "shadows down" macro (which puts me at 318 skill), but when I do and I have to take a hit or two, I block them more often than not.

Even with Aegis I don't think /WAR is worth it for most things, I still only /WAR for Dynamis and other random stuff.

Me and Xavier feel that 300 skill is a "tier" you should break to get good proc rates. This is easily attainable by af1+1 Feet/Merits/Boxers mantle, or Homam/Merits/Shield Torque. Hundred fists is interesting in Dynamis. I've been hundred fisted and gotten off cure IV's without being interrupted. It is pretty much all about luck.

-edit: was af1+1 needed sleep 4am khim v_v;

[Ryko]

I think you mean Af+1, not Af2.

[Judai]

Hundred fists is interesting in Dynamis. I've been hundred fisted and gotten off cure IV's without being interrupted. It is pretty much all about luck.

I've done that several times as well, without the Aegis! I just toss on Max shield skill for 100 fists usually.

[Bregor]

Hundred fists is interesting in Dynamis. I've been hundred fisted and gotten off cure IV's without being interrupted. It is pretty much all about luck.

I've done that several times as well, without the Aegis! I just toss on Max shield skill for 100 fists usually.

If Sentinel isn't up, or it's an NM of some kind (the Orc near the beginning of Glacier always wrecks me for some reason) you can at least get off a Flash, if not cures, during Hundred Fists. The mob should be dead before it finishes HF anyway. Shield Torque, AF1+1 feet, M.Head and merits are plenty when /WAR for me as a non-Aegis PLD in Dynamis. If I didn't do everything else /NIN I would probably invest in a Boxer's, but my ABC shopping list is getting long.

Oh, and Faust... sweet, sweet Faust... you will always be my favorite sky pop-item NM... <3<3<3

[Medivac]

I've blocked 8 hits in a row on khim, then a week later gotten stomped (granted solo) by hydra for 9 shots without blocking any of them, it's dumb luck sometimes.

depend on if i want mp from parade gorget or the extra 7 shield skill from the torque. but i dont ever remeber me blocking 10 in a row, not even mention at some hnm like faf or nid. just wondering what I am missing here, agi? pls help out .

Also are you talking /nin or /war? Because you can use both if you're doing the former, just swap in the shield gear when casting shadows.

i understand switching gear in partys enm's and stuff like that, but i dont think tanks should ever swap gear for hnm's.

[Ryko]

I've blocked 8 hits in a row on khim, then a week later gotten stomped (granted solo) by hydra for 9 shots without blocking any of them, it's dumb luck sometimes.

depend on if i want mp from parade gorget or the extra 7 shield skill from the torque. but i dont ever remeber me blocking 10 in a row, not even mention at some hnm like faf or nid. just wondering what I am missing here, agi? pls help out .

Also are you talking /nin or /war? Because you can use both if you're doing the former, just swap in the shield gear when casting shadows.

i understand switching gear in partys enm's and stuff like that, but i dont think tanks should ever swap gear for hnm's.

Am I getting whooshed? What's the big deal in gearswapping invisible pieces of gear (torques, earrings, rings, backpieces, belts) on HNMs? You don't blink out.

[Bregor]

I think they were just talking about AF+1 feet being swapped in reference to blinking, even though the OP just mentioned Shield Torque vs. Parade. There's really no reason not to swap mantles/torques/etc. as you see fit. Also mentally I have merged this thread with the Valor head/feet one in the newbie section, so I might be whooshing as well.

[sarlazzar]

ok thx for all the infor so far, from what i read, it is all based on shield skill and a bit of luck. But I just heard from ppl saying that aegis may have a set 60-70% block rate without too much shield skill gears, wondering if it is true, cause would be nice to switch af+1 feet for askar and boxer mantle for valor cape or shadow mantle etc