I just found a Herald of Zakarum with 169def, and 168 is supposed to be max, it's likely due to the game wanting to do something that it can't.

For example: If the game decides to drop a Troll Belt, it will then decide its quality. If it rolls to be unique, because there is no unique troll belt it will instead drop a rare Troll Belt with three times the normal durability. The game sometimes allows for exceptions to the default.
It could be something along these lines that adds an extra armor for whatever reason.

I think it's super cool that you got it on one of the few items that doesn't roll %ED. Quite a trophy in my opinion, and should be valuable for collectors. I'm very curious if it stayed 142 after indentifying.

I was too late to edit previous post, so I'll add this:

I looked closer.

Unique unid items can have +1 more defense than perfect white items when rolled perfectly. A Herald of Zakarum would not reach 507 from a base of 168 for example. It needs 169, which white items can't have.
It's HELLA strange to see it on a shako though. If I had to guess, it would roll back down to 141 after identing because it's hard coded to max out at 141. If not, 141 is de facto NOT the max defense anymore.

I think this should be the answer:


Still it's rare, not unique shako, but most likely it will have ed on it

But there is an exception:

Upping a unique or Set armor piece (chest, Helm, shield, glove, belt or boots) Results in a random roll between min and max defence of the new Type.

This post was edited by massmarines on Jul 25 2025 12:18pm

I id'd the shako, so yes it's 26%ed and 178 def now 142 + 26%



Set items can't be upped

Afaik in d2r they can.
https://eu.forums.blizzard.com/en/d2r/t/upgrading-set-items/21819