How's it going? So most people tell me it's wise to use coa, but it would require 49 extra stat points into strength, which would be a HUGE boost to my life. Is it not more wise to just use shako? I could make up the dr with bers in hoz and shako, plus have a nice life, mana, and skill bonus while only sacrificing some fhr. I guess what I'm trying to say is, why the hell do smiters use coa? Input/advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

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30 fhr, 30@, 5% dr, 1 socket.

Assuming you would have to get the 30 fhr from charms, that's basically 120 boable life lost. The extra socket also adds flexibility. A res/-req jewel would make the str req more bearable.

The Shako is however used in for example SvS situations.

Shako > all

This post was edited by Corporate on Aug 21 2012 03:33pm

With a 3k health pool fhr stops doing much, resists can be found other places, dmg reduction is meh for pvm, the only great thing about coa is the extra socket (assuming it spawned with 2 lol). It really is a judgement call between the socket and defense vs the +1 skills and life/mana, mf fhr and resistances aside.
If you want to get to 50% dmg reduction cap it will be har without coa or stormshield. And all these arguments assume your PvM. I don't PvP, so I can't speak to that.