How useful are shields?

[TheHandicap]

... and is there a way to see it;
I'm playing a meelee commando build with one-handed and shield and was really wondering how usefull my shield actually is.
Because the problem is, that even though there seems to be a sound effect when you block it's not very accurate in showing me if I blocked something.
And when testing without a shield (with 2h weapons) I cant see a clear difference in damage taken as it's all too random anyways.
I would really lie to know if it's worth it as I am investing points into the passive shield skill for soldier that I could use for other skills and also my 2h weapon would be so much stronger (not that I lack damage, but just saying).

Any information is appreciated.

[Gamma Zark]

the shields block a set amount of dmg from attacks. This should help with your confusion http://www.grimdawn.com/guide/gameplay/combat.php

[Aelies von Saladir]

It's really useful. You can try taking devotions that activate % on block to try to check. For me, Targo's Hammer (25% Chance on Block) procs pretty much all the time and my char is constantly surrounded by 3-4 of them.

[Terroriza]

i personally don't find them that useful. from the ones I had they didn't seem to add enough armor to really make a difference to your total stats. the block amount is pretty low in comparison to your total hp. the only way is if you invest into the shield talents + use the shield gems which improve block chance.. You have to invest or else it's not going to be all that life changing.

[TheHandicap]

Originally posted by Aelies von Saladir:

It's really useful. You can try taking devotions that activate % on block to try to check. For me, Targo's Hammer (25% Chance on Block) procs pretty much all the time and my char is constantly surrounded by 3-4 of them.

I dont know if you are reffering to shield wall (only skill I found that matches you description) but that one triggers with 33% on attack.

EDIT: sorry wrong celestial sign, found the skill. (thx again)

[Aelies von Saladir]

I refer to Targo's Hammer, in the Anvil constellation.

[TheHandicap]

Originally posted by Aelies von Saladir:

I refer to Targo's Hammer, in the Anvil constellation.

Thanks, found it (I looked at the constellation called Targo the builder first)

[TheHandicap]

Is it useful to go with radiant gem for shields (for the eleemental shield skill and elementaldmg) if my elemental resisatances are close to 80% anyways?

[Stubbieoz]

Your shields have such a low chance to block early in the game that pouring points into shield skills is not the best option. Shield use becomes much more viable later on.
If you are going to go a shield based toon then the first skill should be Overguard, but thats all till you start getting rare shields with good blocking %. Then you take Shield Training.

[Aelies von Saladir]

Originally posted by Mercenary:

Is it useful to go with radiant gem for shields (for the eleemental shield skill and elementaldmg) if my elemental resisatances are close to 80% anyways?

If you're planning on moving to the next difficulty, yes, as you'll suffer -25 ele, poison and pierce resist. If you're already on Ultimate or just fine with staying on Normal/Veteran, there aren't any reason to cap the resists.

[TheHandicap]

Originally posted by Stubbie:

Your shields have such a low chance to block early in the game that pouring points into shield skills is not the best option. Shield use becomes much more viable later on.
If you are going to go a shield based toon then the first skill should be Overguard, but thats all till you start getting rare shields with good blocking %. Then you take Shield Training.

I'm currrently lvl 45 and just need to lvl up once because I'm missing 2 physique to wear the 'Crest of the Black Legion'...
The physique requirements for shields are quite insane and I cant really keep track of how much physique I actually have with just base and masteries.

[TheHandicap]

Now that I think about it it would be just great to have a little block notification in a different colour than the enemy block...

[mikeydsc]

Originally posted by Mercenary:

Originally posted by Stubbie:

Your shields have such a low chance to block early in the game that pouring points into shield skills is not the best option. Shield use becomes much more viable later on.
If you are going to go a shield based toon then the first skill should be Overguard, but thats all till you start getting rare shields with good blocking %. Then you take Shield Training.

I'm currrently lvl 45 and just need to lvl up once because I'm missing 2 physique to wear the 'Crest of the Black Legion'...
The physique requirements for shields are quite insane and I cant really keep track of how much physique I actually have with just base and masteries.

Check out passive skill veterancy.

[Ficelle]

Shields add a lot of survavibility at the cost of damage. It is a trade off.

With the right talents and devotions, you can block like 4000+ damages a sec, that is huge.

A 2hander or dual wielding melee will have to get back that much life every second to compensate...doable, but you need top stuff.

Advantage of the shield is, while nerfing your damage, you never have to stop to do damage or run away, you can basically facetank everything with meh gear.

[Markus Kruber]

Originally posted by Ficelle:

Shields add a lot of survavibility at the cost of damage. It is a trade off.

I'm not sure if this is true because with the right build the Shield is a awesome weapon, you have abilities that requires a shield to attack and don't forget about the insane strong damage abilities you can get from constellations that proc when you block an attack!

So far I'm doing awesome with my Blademaster build that uses a shield, I'm lvl 40 now and I will upload a new video once I reach Elite difficulty, here is my older video ->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHEpqWv_B3M

[Markus Kruber]

Originally posted by Mercenary:

I'm currrently lvl 45 and just need to lvl up once because I'm missing 2 physique to wear the 'Crest of the Black Legion'...
The physique requirements for shields are quite insane and I cant really keep track of how much physique I actually have with just base and masteries.

How come you have such low Physique? I just dinged lvl 41 and I had already 800 Physique at lvl 40 ->

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=633711189

The only problem I have is finding good heavy armor gear, not equipping it.