shield or dodge?

[heisagoalie]

i started a new Sword and board warrior, and i was currently 2xing shield, 1x dodge...but do i even need dodge if i 2x shield? Whats the best way to do this? As a dwarf, the str bonus i get to go with shield use seems more than enough to offset what i lose in dodge, and i plan to use a tower shield anyway

[Bobmuhthol]

Can you post your strength, dexterity, agility, and intuition bonuses, as well as what armor you wear?

[heisagoalie]

Strength (STR): 94 (32) ... 94 (32)
Dexterity (DEX): 82 (16) ... 82 (16)
Agility (AGI): 82 (11) ... 82 (11)
Intuition (INT): 54 (2) ... 54 (2)

using cuirbouilli leather right now...armor skill is just 20 ranks. i'm level 8.

[The Ponzzz]

Shield, judging by your Int

[Latrinsorm]

A single stat won't offset dropping from 1x dodge to 0x.

My warrior 3xs shield and .5xs dodge. If you drop to 0 dodge, I encourage you to go to 3x shield.

[mgoddess]

My warrior will be 2x'ing in Dodge and 1-1.5x'ing in Shield Use by cap. Currently she only 2x's in Dodge due to being a TWC'er...picking up some shield use for those times when a shield is REALLY handy (invasions anyone?). If she were a sword/board-er, I'd probably 2x both (if I had the points).

[Bobmuhthol]

1x dodge gets you more DS than getting the equivalent point amount of third shield ranks per level. I'd stay with that then get the shield.

[Stanley Burrell]

i started a new Sword and board warrior, and i was currently 2xing shield, 1x dodge...but do i even need dodge if i 2x shield? Whats the best way to do this? As a dwarf, the str bonus i get to go with shield use seems more than enough to offset what i lose in dodge, and i plan to use a tower shield anyway

Whatever you're doing to offset being able to 3x in shields and 1x in dodge needeth cease.

[Latrinsorm]

1x dodge gets you more DS than getting the equivalent point amount of third shield ranks per level. I'd stay with that then get the shield.Dodge gets you .619 DS per rank in stance offensive and full plate and shield gets you 1/3 *before* shield penalties and bonuses.

If you go to a small shield, you get .483 and .283. Medium, .433 .333; large, .384 .383; tower .334 .433.

Now then. Generally warriors convert MTP to PTP. This makes the third shield rank "cost" 5/8 of the first dodge rank. If we compare (2*shield + 1*dodge) to (2*shield + (5/8) * shield), the best DS per rank numbers are achieved in the tower state, where the second plan lags behind by .063 DS per train, or 6 whole DS by cap. (Note: There is a flat DS penalty to using a tower to begin with, but both plans are best off per rank in tower, so it doesn't matter.)

DS is largely (though by no means always) irrelevant to any decent warrior though, so let's look at EBP. The first plan has a 10% chance to block and a 5% chance to dodge, and the second has a 15% chance to block. Blocking and dodging are mutually exclusive, so we add the probabilities. 15% = 15%.

I'd say the choice comes down to personal taste.