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Shield vs Defense (PVE)


Durcbjorn

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Currently my powertech is level 40, and shield spec tank. I go for tanky stats when I can (endurance/shield/absorb/defense).

 

I'm at work, but I think my...

mitigation is around 50%

shield chance around 32%

absorb rate on shield around 35%

Defense chance around 11%

 

A lot of times on mods, I have to choose between shield/absorb or defense, and I'm kind of curious which is better. 32% of the time absorbing 35%, or 11% of the time avoiding 100%.

32% x 35% = 12% effective

11% x 100% = 11% effective

 

WIth shield spec powertech, you get heat venting from shielding, but I think only once every 6 seconds. I guess the more often you shield, the sooner after that ability comes off CD will you shield again to proc it.

 

Also shielding has a chance to refresh rocket punch CD, so more threat generation.

 

Saying all that, I think another factor may be ease of healing. To me a 11% chance of avoiding 100% damage means the other 89% the time you take full damage.

 

With 32% chance of 35% reduction, while effectively over time its 12%, its more spread out damage. I think you'll get more spikey damage on defense, which is harder to predict for a healer.

 

All told a balance of the two is probably best, but I think when I have small choices to make, it seems at least for powertech, shield/absorb is the way to go.

 

Any other thoughts?

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A lot of times on mods, I have to choose between shield/absorb or defense, and I'm kind of curious which is better. 32% of the time absorbing 35%, or 11% of the time avoiding 100%.

32% x 35% = 12% effective

11% x 100% = 11% effective

 

Any other thoughts?

 

Keep in mind the 2-roll system and Shield mechanics:

1. "Hit" roll is calculated before "Shield vs Crit" - so the check for Defense comes before Shield

2. You can't Shield a Crit

 

So you have to factor out the # of attacks that were Defended to determine what % effective your Shield is.

 

Read this for more info on how Defense and Shield works:

http://taugrim.com/2012/01/19/understanding-swtors-avoidance-and-mitigation-mechanics-for-tanks-in-pvp/

 

I look at the implications from a PVP perspective but you can sort out the PVE implications from the article.

Edited by taugrimtaugrim
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Plug your stats into morningmusume's spreadsheet (link should be somewhere on these first couple pages) - 99% of the time, shield>absorb>=defense iirc.

 

Columni/rakata gear is itemized well enough that you dont need to worrt about it most of the time.

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