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HOZ or Exile are obviously BiS, but I haven't snagged either yet in the current Ladder season. I'm running an FOH/ Smite hybrid, so I have dual Spirit, then a Black on switch. Anyone have thoughts on a good shield for smiting until I can upgrade, or is it still just Spirit? I took out DClone with the Black/Spirit combo, but the min-maxer in me is curious if there is a better budget option.
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HOZ or Exile are obviously BiS, but I haven't snagged either yet in the current Ladder season. I'm running an FOH/ Smite hybrid, so I have dual Spirit, then a Black on switch. Anyone have thoughts on a good shield for smiting until I can upgrade, or is it still just Spirit? I took out DClone with the Black/Spirit combo, but the min-maxer in me is curious if there is a better budget option.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
My first Smiter shield every ladder season is always a random 4 socket Paladin shield with 4 perfect diamonds in it - preferrably elite, obviously. The resistance automod on it is not super important thanks to the perfect diamonds, it will be plenty enough vs dclone anyway. Some ladder season I don't even change it (I usually do, but it depends on how much I actually end up playing that season). Another cheap option, which I sometimes use, is Griswold's Honor - it has 45 all res, and it always has 3os so you can for example put 3 perfect diamonds in it - and you can usually trade for one for a perfect amthyst or something.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
I'm in CET (Central European Time)
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
Good points. I always considered Phoenix for a Zealer, never thought to check it against Dclone. But that's high rune territory, I'll probably end up with HOZ or Exile before I build a Phoenix. I didn't even think of just using the Pdiamonds on a random shield. I just messed around in Maxroll for a bit, and it looks like, all other things being equal, that the Spirit would outperform the PDiamonds for DPS, and Spirit is so cheap, there's no sense in not using it. However I could use PDiamonds in a 2OS or 3OS if one drops before I get an elite 4OS pally shield.ShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoMy first Smiter shield every ladder season is always a random 4 socket Paladin shield with 4 perfect diamonds in it - preferrably elite, obviously. The resistance automod on it is not super important thanks to the perfect diamonds, it will be plenty enough vs dclone anyway. Some ladder season I don't even change it (I usually do, but it depends on how much I actually end up playing that season). Another cheap option, which I sometimes use, is Griswold's Honor - it has 45 all res, and it always has 3os so you can for example put 3 perfect diamonds in it - and you can usually trade for one for a perfect amthyst or something.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
It does outperform a 4 pdia shield by a little bit (2 skills) but it lose out on resistances (41 less cold/light/poi res, 76 less fire res) which can be hard/expensive to get early on. So it depends on how budget are we talking about:)RackAnewShoe wrote: 9 months agoI didn't even think of just using the Pdiamonds on a random shield. I just messed around in Maxroll for a bit, and it looks like, all other things being equal, that the Spirit would outperform the PDiamonds for DPS, and Spirit is so cheap, there's no sense in not using it. However I could use PDiamonds in a 2OS or 3OS if one drops before I get an elite 4OS pally shield.
Sanctuary works good, last Zealot build i had on SCL had that and cleared Ubers without much difficulty. The Slow Missiles charges are underrated, makes a huge difference vs souls, succubi, and vipers in WSK and Nihlathak temple halls too.
Lately I've been playing smiter/FoH hybrid build so I prefer Spirit for the FCR.
Lately I've been playing smiter/FoH hybrid build so I prefer Spirit for the FCR.
HCL nintendo switch
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
For me the choice is simple. While leveling a basic early choice would be a shield Socketed with P diamonds, Ancients Pledge, or my favorite a Rhyme, which only requires a Shael Eth and two socket shield, preferably a paladin shield with some resistances, and with the added 25% more resists you also get cannot be frozen. My top end game shield preference is an upped HOZ, socketed with either a P Diamond or an Um. I've tried all the top tier shields including an Exile in a 44% resist Vortex Shield, but the HOZ is still my favorite. You can pick up a HOZ fairly cheaply in trades for as little as an Ist.
I've used Sanctuary in the past on a hardcore Sorc, but that Mal is too expensive for me for a budget shield that I would plan on tossing.BigD wrote: 9 months agoSanctuary works good, last Zealot build i had on SCL had that and cleared Ubers without much difficulty. The Slow Missiles charges are underrated, makes a huge difference vs souls, succubi, and vipers in WSK and Nihlathak temple halls too.
Lately I've been playing smiter/FoH hybrid build so I prefer Spirit for the FCR.
I have dual Spirit on main for FOH/ Holy Bolt. On swap I have Black and a my budget smiter shield.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Rhyme has always been my go to for leveling anything but Paladin. I can't believe I didn't think of using it for smiting until I get HOZ. That's probably the answer I'm looking for. I did Exile on my SSF pally back in the LOD days when I never had a HOZ drop. I recently got one on SCNL and it has been pretty nice. I'm not sure which of the two I prefer.mhlg wrote: 9 months agoFor me the choice is simple. While leveling a basic early choice would be a shield Socketed with P diamonds, Ancients Pledge, or my favorite a Rhyme, which only requires a Shael Eth and two socket shield, preferably a paladin shield with some resistances, and with the added 25% more resists you also get cannot be frozen. My top end game shield preference is an upped HOZ, socketed with either a P Diamond or an Um. I've tried all the top tier shields including an Exile in a 44% resist Vortex Shield, but the HOZ is still my favorite. You can pick up a HOZ fairly cheaply in trades for as little as an Ist.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Suppose it could be considered expensive. I just grind The Countess with a lightning sorc for 20-30ish runs and one usually surfaces.RackAnewShoe wrote: 9 months agoI've used Sanctuary in the past on a hardcore Sorc, but that Mal is too expensive for me for a budget shield that I would plan on tossing.BigD wrote: 9 months agoSanctuary works good, last Zealot build i had on SCL had that and cleared Ubers without much difficulty. The Slow Missiles charges are underrated, makes a huge difference vs souls, succubi, and vipers in WSK and Nihlathak temple halls too.
Lately I've been playing smiter/FoH hybrid build so I prefer Spirit for the FCR.
I have dual Spirit on main for FOH/ Holy Bolt. On swap I have Black and a my budget smiter shield.
Last build i had that used Snactuary was pure Zealot with maxed Holy Shield and a few points in Smite. Worked great for WSK+ Baal runs and Nihlathak farming to deal with Souls and Succubi ( Slow Missiles vs those annoying fucks is a lifesaver).
With the build im currently running on HCL I wouldn't do the same because FoH clears out mobs from a safe distance and the FCR helps more. Plus Insight merc with Treachery and Bulwark and Prayer aura gives alot of QoL and synergies to my current FoH/smiter hybrid I'm finding.
https://maxroll.gg/d2/d2planner/625gh0y7
^Lot of stuff (charms & merc mostly) needs updating/correcting there, but the gear is all correct, and its been working well so far through Hell difficulty
HCL nintendo switch
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
Afaik Phoenix is not good for Smite due to the Firestorm proc. Did this change recently?ShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoMy first Smiter shield every ladder season is always a random 4 socket Paladin shield with 4 perfect diamonds in it - preferrably elite, obviously. The resistance automod on it is not super important thanks to the perfect diamonds, it will be plenty enough vs dclone anyway. Some ladder season I don't even change it (I usually do, but it depends on how much I actually end up playing that season). Another cheap option, which I sometimes use, is Griswold's Honor - it has 45 all res, and it always has 3os so you can for example put 3 perfect diamonds in it - and you can usually trade for one for a perfect amthyst or something.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
Playing HC SSF right now.
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
This was patched in D2R patch 2.4 (ladder season 1, 3½ years ago). Procs with cast delay, like Firestorm from Phoenix, no longer interrupt your own attacks. They did a major rework of casting delays (D2's version of cooldowns) in that patch. I've used Phoenix a lot as a Smiter in D2R with zero issues.
I'm in CET (Central European Time)
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
Do you prefer Phoenix over HOZ in Uber Tristram? I can see how the fire resist/absorb would help and Redemption running full time is nice, but HOZ has so many goodies for pally. Even Exile gives me consistent Life Tap Proc's so that I can swap out Drac's for crafted gloves.ShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoThis was patched in D2R patch 2.4 (ladder season 1, 3½ years ago). Procs with cast delay, like Firestorm from Phoenix, no longer interrupt your own attacks. They did a major rework of casting delays (D2's version of cooldowns) in that patch. I've used Phoenix a lot as a Smiter in D2R with zero issues.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Personally, I prefer Exile for Uber Tristram for the added safety of the Life Tap proc (it has a much more reliable proc chance than Dracul's Grasp, and then I typically prefer 10 CB gloves over Drac's if I do have Exile). Phoenix is technically still BiS damage-wise, but it's not the safest option in Uber Tristram.
I'm in CET (Central European Time)
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
My profile says Ladder, but I play both Ladder and Non-Ladder.
My profile says Softcore, but I play both Softcore and Hardcore.
My Holy Grail Tracker is for Offline Hardcore.
Holy Grail Death Count: 1
I stay with Phoenix and Dracul's Grasp for more adrenaline which in turn burns more caloriesShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoPersonally, I prefer Exile for Uber Tristram for the added safety of the Life Tap proc (it has a much more reliable proc chance than Dracul's Grasp, and then I typically prefer 10 CB gloves over Drac's if I do have Exile). Phoenix is technically still BiS damage-wise, but it's not the safest option in Uber Tristram.
After a 20 year break from D2 I started playing D2R in 2024 with my sons (9 and 10 years old)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
Shouldn't be an issue otherwise I would think Firestorm proc from Hellfire Torch would also be an issue! Lolvued wrote: 9 months agoAfaik Phoenix is not good for Smite due to the Firestorm proc. Did this change recently?ShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoMy first Smiter shield every ladder season is always a random 4 socket Paladin shield with 4 perfect diamonds in it - preferrably elite, obviously. The resistance automod on it is not super important thanks to the perfect diamonds, it will be plenty enough vs dclone anyway. Some ladder season I don't even change it (I usually do, but it depends on how much I actually end up playing that season). Another cheap option, which I sometimes use, is Griswold's Honor - it has 45 all res, and it always has 3os so you can for example put 3 perfect diamonds in it - and you can usually trade for one for a perfect amthyst or something.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
HCL nintendo switch
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
6276-3649-1595
Bnet: CoralViper#114373
No, they are different. The Firestorm from torch is a diablo skill which does not have a delay.BigD wrote: 9 months agoShouldn't be an issue otherwise I would think Firestorm proc from Hellfire Torch would also be an issue! Lolvued wrote: 9 months agoAfaik Phoenix is not good for Smite due to the Firestorm proc. Did this change recently?ShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoMy first Smiter shield every ladder season is always a random 4 socket Paladin shield with 4 perfect diamonds in it - preferrably elite, obviously. The resistance automod on it is not super important thanks to the perfect diamonds, it will be plenty enough vs dclone anyway. Some ladder season I don't even change it (I usually do, but it depends on how much I actually end up playing that season). Another cheap option, which I sometimes use, is Griswold's Honor - it has 45 all res, and it always has 3os so you can for example put 3 perfect diamonds in it - and you can usually trade for one for a perfect amthyst or something.
And I'll also add that Phoenix is the BiS for dclone killers if you have Grief - the off-weapon ED% on it works with Smite, including Grief's +damage bonus. A fully geared Smiter doesn't need Life Tap at all vs dclone ( Uber Tristram is a different story though). It's not exactly budget (far from it), just thought I'd mention it.
But as it was pointed out, this changed some time ago.
Playing HC SSF right now.
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
Hell completed: Sorc, Druid, Paladin, Ama, Assa, Necro, Barb
Iron Man (Paladin): Nightmare A1
why don't you farm consumables with your sorc to sell for decent items?
It's quite cheap to build a decent smiter
It's quite cheap to build a decent smiter
I've only been running a pally the last couple ladders (too many mules, not enough character slots, not enough play time to level two characters) and there is a point in time where I could use an inexpensive or easy to farm shield but haven't had good enough drops for trade. I'm thinking of running sorc next ladder for that reason.Pitach wrote: 9 months agowhy don't you farm consumables with your sorc to sell for decent items?
It's quite cheap to build a decent smiter
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Bonus for doing this in hardcore.oOKIWIOo wrote: 9 months agoI stay with Phoenix and Dracul's Grasp for more adrenaline which in turn burns more caloriesShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoPersonally, I prefer Exile for Uber Tristram for the added safety of the Life Tap proc (it has a much more reliable proc chance than Dracul's Grasp, and then I typically prefer 10 CB gloves over Drac's if I do have Exile). Phoenix is technically still BiS damage-wise, but it's not the safest option in Uber Tristram.
Old man still killing demons and yelling at clouds.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Trades are LOD by default, but I can also trade on ROTW.
Check out this Stream from SchmuckRackAnewShoe wrote: 9 months agoBonus for doing this in hardcore.oOKIWIOo wrote: 9 months agoI stay with Phoenix and Dracul's Grasp for more adrenaline which in turn burns more caloriesShadowHeart wrote: 9 months agoPersonally, I prefer Exile for Uber Tristram for the added safety of the Life Tap proc (it has a much more reliable proc chance than Dracul's Grasp, and then I typically prefer 10 CB gloves over Drac's if I do have Exile). Phoenix is technically still BiS damage-wise, but it's not the safest option in Uber Tristram.
(Offline HC Pally with absolute low lvl gear and 1500 life)post4037764.html#p4037764
After a 20 year break from D2 I started playing D2R in 2024 with my sons (9 and 10 years old)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +1/+2 (Germany)
Online workdays: casually from 07:00-09:00 pm
Online weekends: casually midday to evening
Non-Ladder | Softcore | Expansion
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