put simply a zealot using exile is not going to lose to a zealot wearing ss. Exile just gives such a large advantage over any other shield. It isn't just the def boost but also the life tap that makes it the #1 option for a zealot.

This post was edited by dark-soul on Jun 18 2011 12:37am

Stoutwood's guide, as good as it was, is severely outdated by today's standard.

Even in NT duels it's easier to win by stacking up defense, same also applies in BvB. That minor change in chance to hit could mean 1 more strike that wins the duel.

I don't understand how this is true when the gear that is used between the two guides is virtually the same.

The point of the 3% difference was to show that the minor difference could be made up for in more offensively oriented gear options.

stoutwood's is a NT guide, dark-zealot's is a tap guide

i'm on west aka NT and I would use 48k def 6.6k dmg over 36k def 8.2k dmg, can't kill what you can't hit ya know

This post was edited by alphasquare on Jun 18 2011 08:55am

the difference can't be made up like that. A 3% difference makes a huge diff in duels. If he says exile is a bad option as far as effectiveness goes than the guide is more outdated than everyone else is saying.



pretty much lol

Exile came in 1.10, the guide was written in 1.11, and stats haven't changed since then.

I'm not sure about the stats but a change to eth Alma or SS which opens up the ability to use visionary should give AR that more than makes up for the 3% difference.

im guessing you don't have much experience in GM melee. Non tap builds vs tap builds are extremely in favor of the tap setups. If his guide says exile is a bad option then it can't be a very good guide.

True, I don't have much experience in GM melee. However, Stoutwood's guide was authoritative long before this one was written. I think part of the reason is that everyone on east just assumes exile is the best option. Of course, when tap is cast, the duel is over. But the likelihood of life tap activating is 15%, meaning once every 6-7 hits. I'd wager that most zeal duels end before then, especially if the user has the advantage of higher damage.

This is an interesting discussion. I'll try to run some tests on Open and get back to you.

it isn't just assumed that tap beats non tap in a duel its just the way it is. Anyone who does GM melee knows that. His guide might be older but its obviously misinformed if it says exile isn't the best option.

Running a fool's setup with 2500-5k damage (before hell quests, at level 90), 22K ar, 46k def, 70% ds and 4250 hp. seem like a solid setup?