reflex based shield mechanics for... magic?

[Topei007]

I love how you can use a shield and hold it up to block/deflect incoming weak blows and projectiles. Is there a way to use spells or wards to do something similar? Im thinking something like arctic armor modified to make a dome around you which does the same, or a reflex based spell which makes you invulnerable for a split second but if you take a hit in that split second, you can counter attack with a spell effect?

I personally would love a mage that plays more like a heavy armored warrior with a shield. Is that a thing? I basically wanna be Ex Death from final fantasy in POE2. Slow, Tanky, counterattack after parrying incoming blows via fast reactive timing, and endure and outlasting opponents.

[Mister Bones]

They've confirmed that shields also block spells, so you can already block magic as a baselines.

[MeatBag]

In PoE1 we have two types of damage, attacks and spells, and defensive mechanics related to each of those, block and spell block, evade for attacks, spell suppress, etc.

In PoE2 they removing this concept, so it doesn't matter if its attack or spell, its just mob hit. So any defensive stuff work for both attacks or spells.

And as long as you have requirement attributes, you can use shield on any character

[Brian9824]

I mean in PoE 1 there are shields for mages so I don't see why they won't have access to a shield.

[Topei007]

Interesting, I hope there's some way to synergize shields with more magical defenses or have a support gem like "Cast X on block". I'd love to replicate Ex Death's magical counterattack. Now I just have to think of a way to deal with unblock-able attacks aside from dodging.

[Mister Bones]

Originally posted by Topei007:

Interesting, I hope there's some way to synergize shields with more magical defenses or have a support gem like "Cast X on block". I'd love to replicate Ex Death's magical counterattack. Now I just have to think of a way to deal with unblock-able attacks aside from dodging.

Given there are effects like the sorcery ward for Witch Hunters, I think you'll likely be able to get some magic-focused defensive options one way or another. :D

[Paranochat]

Originally posted by Topei007:

I love how you can use a shield and hold it up to block/deflect incoming weak blows and projectiles. Is there a way to use spells or wards to do something similar? Im thinking something like arctic armor modified to make a dome around you which does the same, or a reflex based spell which makes you invulnerable for a split second but if you take a hit in that split second, you can counter attack with a spell effect?

I personally would love a mage that plays more like a heavy armored warrior with a shield. Is that a thing? I basically wanna be Ex Death from final fantasy in POE2. Slow, Tanky, counterattack after parrying incoming blows via fast reactive timing, and endure and outlasting opponents.

I could see reworked "guard skills" acting that way to be honest, this could work.

[kioro-djirane]

It's already here somewhat. Invocation Barrier: Persistent, Trigger, Meta

Reservation: 60 Spirit

Requires Level 26, 61 Int
Casting the skill once activates it, causing it to gain Energy when your Energy Shield is damaged by Hits. Casting again once sufficient Energy is gathered will consume the Energy to trigger socketed Spells.

I don't know if you are familiar with Energy Shield but it's a "second life bar" that regen quickly when you aren't hit for a certain amount of time. (Can be tweaked by many thing) It's the defence layer related to the Int stat. So it seems really close to your Conterattack Mage fantasy.

[Topei007]

*takes notes* Thanks. def gonna try and remember these ideas. I have several E Shield builds in POE 1 but dunno how to setup nice magical counterattacks... yet. I'll look into this 'invocation barrier' thingy though.