Duress

This armor is a great fit for physical damage builds such as a

Frenzy Barb (or most barb builds that don't avoid cold damage) as well as bowazons. Although outclassed by Fortitude, Duress fits a sort of middle Ground between Lionheart and Fortitude imo. Where-as Lionheart focuses only on physical damage with it's 20% ED, Duress has the potential to outclass Lionheart if it rolls 20% ED or close to it. But that is the main issue with Duress, is that it can gamble to only 10% ED, although thankfully the crushing blow and open wounds stays consistent as well as the cold damage. If not making this RW for a Barb, it is recommended to use Archon Plates, Mage plates, or light elite armors to put this into to not have to have high strength stats to equip it. Although considered a mid-game RW and not endgame, it can still fulfill that purpose if nothing better is available. Once Fortitude can be obtained however, Duress can still be given to the A2 merc.

The only drawback of this otherwise very effective armor (for it's cheap price) is actually cold damage. It's gonna make your horker sad regularly, even angry sometimes. This is another major reason to replace it for Fortitude - perhaps even before you'll acquire your first Grief.