Next sword for SK

[RDawg816]

Yeah. I wasn't talking about bash damage. That's why I brought up race. Interrupting a spell is almost always worth it.

In a full group you're main role would be to tank, most likely. In that regard, the AC helps and bashing makes for less deaths/down time. If you're able to slam/bash the AC vs. extra damage isn't usually worth a shield.

In a duo or small group, you're responsible for more of the damage. Conversely, if that spell lands you have less room for error. Depending on the classes you group with, they might be able to interrupt the spells better; they might not. You want to be as efficient as possible, which usually means you need to adapt as the situation changes.

[Sage Truthbearer]

Shield AC is pretty underrated imo. Remember, the shield slot is the only one in the game where you get ALL the ac from an item, above the cap.

I get something like +100 worn AC by equipping my 55 AC shield, and +100 worn AC does make a difference when your primary job is tanking and mitigating damage for a group.

[RDawg816]

Well now you're talking end game content. The OP is talking about a level 30 with a 600pp budget. I guarantee you he doesn't have access to a 55AC shield. He probably has a 10AC shield if I had to guess.

[Sage Truthbearer]

Heh dude, I'm not implying he can get a 55 AC shield. My point is that the AC on shields get differently than armor. Whether your shield is 10 AC or 100 AC, you will get all the AC from it since it does not count toward the softcap, and that is worth weighing in your decision whether to use a 2H or a shield in a group.

[demokatt]

Thanks for all your answers! I ended up with a Throneblade of Ykesha. Havent got time to test it yet.

My shield AC is 17 do you mean that those AC are more worth than armour and buff AC?

[Sage Truthbearer]

Originally Posted by demokatt [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

My shield AC is 17 do you mean that those AC are more worth than armour and buff AC?

Yes. Basically, there's something called an AC softcap.

Softcap refers to a specific amount of AC you can reach by equipping enough armor with AC on it. Once you reach the softcap, any AC you have above that number is penalized by about 33% - 50%.

Since the softcap is actually fairly low and not hard to reach (at least the classic/live values were), that means most people are already getting a big penalty on their armor's AC right now. So if you are already above the softcap and put on a breastplate with 20 AC on it, you will only actually get about 33-50% of that in AC.

It works this way for every item EXCEPT for your shield. The shield is the only item and slot in EQ where even if are already above the AC softcap, you will still get ALL of the AC on that shield. As a result, you get a lot more bang for your buck in the AC from shields than any other armor.

[demokatt]

Turned level 30, finally Feign Death! Time to try it out on two white guards in North Karana! Pulled one and the other joins.. I run away some and time to FD!! Finally FD!!!!
....
Your spell fizzles...

hmm oh forgot I havent ever used a spell in 30 levels that uses Abjuration. Ended up with 20 fizzles in a row before I died..

LOADING PLEASE WAIT
You have entered West Cabilis!

HAHAHA GOTTA LOVE EQ!

[demokatt]

Ok Im 34 now and have 1k to spend. I mostly play solo and sometimes tank in duo.

Current setup is Sword of Skyfire and 17 AC shield for tanking and a Throneblade of the Ykesha as 2 hander when solo. As armour I have all spots upgraded from banded, a mix of stuff.

Should I keep save it or buy something now? Any suggestions from people been playing SK mostly solo from 35-45

[Samoht]

Do you have 65 HP rings? Iksar scaled gloves? Some pieces of sebilite scale and dreadscale and kylong are good, too.

[Danth]

You're starting to get to the point where most upgrades will cost thousands rather than hundreds of platinum. Keep saving for now. If you don't have a haste item yet then save up for that first. Since you mostly solo, haste will improve your character more than anything else you can buy for the same price. A cost-effective haste option is something like silver chitin hand wraps, which can be had for perhaps under 4,000 platinum. It may sound expensive now, but you'll wear those until you replace them probably with higher-tier haste items which cost tens of thousands.

Your weapons are adequate for the time being. You'll want to replace both of them eventually but they'll do for now. In particular the Sword of Skyfire will demand replacement at level 45. The Throneblade can last a little longer if it has to. Once you're in the 40's it's time to start planning ahead more generally. Look up items that can carry you all the way to level 60 without requiring replacement. Examples include Idol of the Thorned for range slot (still too pricey for you in the here and now) and crafted rings for the finger slots (5/55 or 6/65 will both do).

Danth