Dodge and Shield DS

[Dhuurghaz]

I use to play Gemstone 3 but left long before it had migrated over to Gemstone 4. I am considering coming back and have spent the last week or so trying to familiarize myself with the changes that have taken place however I am a bit confused how the skill Dodge is taken into account defensively. In GS 3 the only way you could elevate your DS was primarily through stance which was directly impacted by your how many trainings you had in shield and weapon. Most people elected to do what you call sword/blunt and a board primarily because using any other weapon style left you extremely vulnerable to bolt like attacks. Reading the boards here would indicate that such a tactic is now archaic as many if not most individuals elect to go with weapon styles that would have been considered non-viable to exotic in the GS 3 era.

So I my question is, how does Dodge calculate into the DS equation as it pertains to physical and bolt (spell, arrow, etc) type of attacks? Are their situations where shield DS still outshine Dodge DS etc?

Thank you for your input.

[Latrinsorm]

Rank for rank, dodge will generally provide more DS than shield. This is tempered by dodge costing (a lot) more. Specifically, a warrior can triple in shield for 14/0 for less TPs than it takes to double in dodge (at 12/6). At base, dodge ranks go directly into DS. They are further modified by stance (up to 75% for stance offensive, putting it a million miles ahead of other DS sources) and armor (up to the high 80%s).

Against bolts, both shield size and dodge receive multiplicative modifiers.

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Any weapon style is viable now. Enjoy! :)

[Borismere]

Throwing is most certainly not viable as is currently. But everything else is.

[BigWorm]

Throwing is most certainly not viable as is currently. But everything else is.

You can do it if you bond for auto returning, though the thrown DS system is fucked since you're considered weaponless after you throw.

[Borismere]

You can do it if you bond for auto returning, though the thrown DS system is fucked since you're considered weaponless after you throw.

I always imagine when I'm hurling my axe.

hurl axe at kobold

You hurl your axe at a kobold and miss!

Kobold says, "Whew! That was a close one.Ok, ok now let me get in close so I can take a swing at you."

You say, "Are you serious?!"

Kobold says to you, "Yeah thats how this combat works."

You say, "Um, ok.."

...a few seconds pass.

A Kobold swings his shortsword at you! A miss.

A axe returns to your hand.

You say, "Ok, now go run back to where you were so I can chuck it at you again."

Kobold exclaims, "Right!"

... a few seconds pass.

You hurl a axe at a Kobold. A clean miss!

[Latrinsorm]

Thrown as a primary combat style is included in my previous post.

[BigWorm]

Thrown as a primary combat style is included in my previous post.

I would say that thrown and brawling (without fu) are inferior to any of the other weapon styles available but they are both nice as a secondary attack option.

[Latrinsorm]

Certainly inferior, but viable nonetheless.

[cronuss]

I would say that thrown and brawling (without fu) are inferior to any of the other weapon styles available but they are both nice as a secondary attack option.

Maybe this will change when Monks are introduced...

[BigWorm]

Maybe this will change when Monks are introduced...

I'll hold my breath.