which shield is better?

[kestell]

I am not sure how one determines which shield is better.

one shield gives:

+7 armour
+6 defense
+6 ranged defense

resists are easier, so I'll leave it out

Talent granted: +2 block

(in the brackets in the name, it says 6 def, 7 armour, 67.5 block)

the other:

+3 armour
+12 def
+12 ranged def

Talent granted: +5 block

(... 213.5 block)

[wobbly]

the 2nd, by a lot. The +5 block lowers the cooldown, the 213.5 is how much damage it absorbs when using the block talent.

Have you noticed when you hover the mouse over the block talent that it lists the elements it blocks. It will be physical + anything the shield resists + damage type of shield. I'm assuming your a bulwark, you'll have the strength to carry multiple shields. Carry 1 for each element. If you drag them on to the talent bar you can easily swap to the 1 you need.

[kestell]

I'm a summoner.

and I don't have nearly enough strength to carry no.2...

I noticed that if I go to the 4th tab on my Char sheet, I can find the block talent there.

But i still wondered.

Which brings me to my next question...

as a summoner, why should I be wearing 2x mindstars? I think the mindstar + shield is better. It seems the most important thing the mindstar gives is Armour penetration.

[Nivrax]

Armor penetration don't transfer to minions if it's listed as weapon-only effect, only if it's a bonus found on item (after 'when worn'). That aside, shield also won't help much since you don't want to block with summons as your meatshield, or take damage at all, beside odd spell here and there.

You want 2 stat sticks, and Mindstars will offer you most of it. They give mindpower, critical chance for mind spells (this does let you summon more powerful creatures) and... eh, ok, random mindstars are crappy with it unless you can pair a set of them (look at wiki to see how). Later on you will find artifact mindstars that destroy anything else stat wise.

[kestell]

The tooltip says:

Your summons inherit some of your stats: increased damage%, stun/pin/confusion/blindness resistance, armour penetration.

[Nivrax]

Reread what I said. Armor penetration on weapon isn't 'your' stat, it is weapon stat, as well as its damage, crit chance, speed etc, they all apply to hits with said weapon and nowhere else, as you can notice that a second Mindstar won't boost apr the one in other hand. Only things after 'when wielded/worn' count.

Also you might notice locked Mindstar tree with mastery in it? Yeah, it is worthless for your summons, and for you most likely too.

[cttw]

random mindstars are crappy with it unless you can pair a set of them (look at wiki to see how).

I had no idea! I have been playing mindstar wielders and I had no idea! I don't think I had even seen this discussed, and I read most active topics.

Thanks!