AC/HP/STA

[Nikon]

I'm hoping to better understand the extend to which AC/HP/STA works for the SK class. I am an Ogre currently wearing a Ring of the Goblin Lords (http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=1693) and Jagged Band (http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=1665). I've been considering making an upgrade to at least one of these rings and have been looking at the Platinum Fire Wedding Ring (http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=1677).

I have been debating on whether to replace one or both of my existing rings with the PFWR. I do like having the +3 INT boost from the RoGL as I am an Ogre and have no other +INT gear. So far, I have focused on obtaining the gear with the most AC for what I can afford. I hear people occasionally talking about "caps" and "soft caps" for AC and am wondering if other items with less AC and more statistic modifiers would be more beneficial, especially if I am already over a "cap".

The added HP seems like it would make-up for the loss of the stats on my current rings. I know I have "more than average" HP because I'm an Ogre, but should I be capitalizing on that by adding as many +HP items as I can or should I be more focused on other stats for gear (such as STA/INT). I'm told I won't be tanking much for raids because I'm an SK but I strive to be well-rounded as a player/character. I'm planning to raid if I can get in with some folks that do so I'd also like to make sure I have the right idea in mind for gearing myself.

Anyway, I'd just like to get some suggestions and maybe some good info on how AC/HP/STA really affect SK game-play. I'm still learning the specifics of the SK class and it's more-than-casual role in groups and raids. I'd really appreciate some constructive information to help me on my path to raiding at 50. Thanks in advance.

[Taluvill]

Never played an SK, but I would imagine, as your class was designed to generate aggro, that you would want to use the Ring of the Goblin Lords and the PFWR. You can probably forget about the Jagged Band.

The Int will help to spam disease cloud.

Edit: Realized this isnt exactly what you wanted, but i hope it helps = P

[Nikon]

Thanks for the reply. I might be asking a question that no one really has answers for so I appreciate your opinion.

[Kerrik]

As I understand it, the conventional wisdom amongst Shadowknights is AC>HP>STA>INT. If you are not near the Stamina cap, you may swap HPs and STA until you get up to the cap.

AC - On gear this does not affect how often you are hit or missed. Only your Defense skill, some defensive AAs and AGI affect a mob's chances to hit. Worn AC affects your mitigation score, which means that when you are hit, on average you get hit for less. Basically a high AC means the mob is more likely to hit for it's minimum value than it's max. Taking less damage means your healer casts less and your party is more likely to win.

HPs - Self-evident. Having a lot of HPs but low AC means you'll survive, but your healer may be OOM fairly quickly since they'll have to cast more heals.

STA - Until you get 200 this is a great stat. More STA = more HPs. After 200 you get some increase, but it isn't as much point for point as STA below 200. I believe the hard cap is 255 (256+ STA = 255 STA effectively).

INT - useful for mana pool, but I understand that SK spells to generate aggro are fairly cheap.

If you are not having problems running OOM, I'd go with the PFWR.

Note this is the accepted wisdom on Live. I can't say if the formulas here are the same, so your mileage may vary.

[Taminy]

As I understand it, the conventional wisdom amongst Shadowknights is AC>HP>STA>INT. If you are not near the Stamina cap, you may swap HPs and STA until you get up to the cap.

AC - On gear this does not affect how often you are hit or missed. Only your Defense skill, some defensive AAs and AGI affect a mob's chances to hit. Worn AC affects your mitigation score, which means that when you are hit, on average you get hit for less. Basically a high AC means the mob is more likely to hit for it's minimum value than it's max. Taking less damage means your healer casts less and your party is more likely to win.

HPs - Self-evident. Having a lot of HPs but low AC means you'll survive, but your healer may be OOM fairly quickly since they'll have to cast more heals.

STA - Until you get 200 this is a great stat. More STA = more HPs. After 200 you get some increase, but it isn't as much point for point as STA below 200. I believe the hard cap is 255 (256+ STA = 255 STA effectively).

INT - useful for mana pool, but I understand that SK spells to generate aggro are fairly cheap.

If you are not having problems running OOM, I'd go with the PFWR.

Note this is the accepted wisdom on Live. I can't say if the formulas here are the same, so your mileage may vary.

Generally speaking the formula has been 6hp = 1ac. Or 5hp = 1ac.

One shouldn't think of AC > HP or HP > AC. Both keep a tank alive which is the most important thing. So you want both - you shouldn't sacrifice all your AC for high HP but low AC gear because like you said it is inefficient mana wise (other than complete heal).

Likewise you shouldn't stack tons of AC at the expense of HP - mainly because AC won't help keep you alive at all if you get nuked (but HP will). You definitely want a good balance, which is why the 6 (or 5) hp = 1ac is good to look at. At lower levels, AC is a bit more important than at high levels when you are often getting complete healed.

The rest of the quoted post is 100% sound original poster. I play a warrior, not a shadowknight, but make sure you have enough mana to keep aggro on you (otherwise you're just a warrior with crappier dps and hp/ac) and after that buff both your hp and ac. Are you sure you can't get int elsewhere? 55hp is a lot give up.

As for other stats, str/dex/agi aren't very useful at all. They're nice to have but don't sacrifice much (if any) of your hp/ac for them.