Defense can be more useful for some duels and with the damage on top of griefs damage it's not that inconsistent really.

the 400 defense matters? i don't think so.. smiters already have an extremely high defense (in the range of 30-40k when using exile, because of the defiance aura).. the defense bonus from ev exile is negligible.. eth st exile is better..

and regarding damage, yes though grief's damage outweighs it, when you calculate the damage bonus from holy shield applied to the shields, the difference in minimum damage between vortex and sacred targe are significant..

how is +400 base def negligible :S


edit : actually its more like +600 more base def

This post was edited by hue_two on Sep 22 2009 09:09am

Infact it is around 2400 def, not 400

i was mentioning the BASE defense.. if you count holy shield in, it is more yes, but my point was that your defense is already overkill with exile (holy shield + defiance aura).. what's the point in boosting it even higher.. i'd rather prefer more consistent smite damage..

its no way an overkill smite vs barb or zeal vs zeal

and its around +550 base def

This post was edited by hue_two on Sep 22 2009 09:16am

smite vs barb, it IS overkill.. i do perfectly fine with an st exile while facing a barb who is wearing angelics..

and the topic is about a shield for a SMITER, not a zealer.. if it were a zealer, it's a different story..

yea you do fine im sure but vortex is still better vs barb

This post was edited by hue_two on Sep 22 2009 09:19am

what the point in having a higher defense when a lower defense works just as good.. BUT the smite damage from ST is more consistent PLUS your blocking % is higher with ST.. why would you use a vortex in that case?

too bad i dont have a smiter to see the def change from using vortex but it greatly reduces a barbs "damage"