Shields
Shields are an item type found in Diablo III. Specific types of shields are not yet known, but they will be familiar to gamers from other RPGs; the D3 Team isn't reinventing this item type.
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Shield Changes in Diablo III
Shields are much changed in function in Diablo III. On the whole, they'll be far less effective than they were in Diablo II.
They still block attacks, but while their % chance to block varies (as in D2), they only absorb a set amount of damage. The buckler, the weakest shield and the only one we know the stats of, absorbs 6-10 damage. Higher quality shields will take much more damage with a successful block.
This differs greatly from Diablo II, where any shield could block (absorb) 100% of any physical attack, even huge hits from boss monsters that would have dealt hundreds of points of damage.
This change makes shields much more realistic, but also much less effective (mandatory) in Diablo III than they were in Diablo II.
The stats of a Buckler as of August 2010.
- Armor: 78
- Chance to Block: +25%
- Block Amount: 6-10
- Durability: 25/25
- Sell value: 1
This item is presumed to be part of the Barbarian's starting equipment, since the sell value is just 1.
Monks and Shields
At one point during their development, Monks could not use shield. Bashiok offered an explanation of this in a pair of forum posts in early March 2010. [1] [2]
- Bruce Lee would not use a shield, and neither would the monk.
- We have shields. Everyone but the monk can wield them.
- Of course that’s subject to change.
It did. A Monk was seen using a shield in August 2010, during the Artisan Video.
Shield Skills and Traits
There are no known shield attack skills in Diablo III, like the Paladin's Smite from Diablo 2. The only known shield-related traits are a couple possessed by the Barbarian. These are subject to change as development continues.
- Max points: 3
- Description: Increases your chance to block attacks.
- Max points: 1
- Description: You have a chance to hit your target with your shield and interrupt them.
Prior to the Traits switchover, the Barbarian had a Battlemaster skill called Shield Specialization that granted considerable blocking bonuses. Here are the stats for this skill, which is no longer in the game.
- Shield Specialization
- Passive Skill
- Max Rank: 15
- Description: Increases the Barbarian's chance to block with a shield and the amount of damage he can block.
- Rank 1: +8% chance to block, +6 damage blocked.
- Fury cost: None
Blocking in Diablo II
In retrospect, blocking was overpowered in Diablo II. That a shield gave your character up to a 75% chance to completely erase all incoming physical damage hardly seems fair, and was certainly not realistic. How can a weak Sorceress or Necromancer with a little wooden plate on their arm completely stop the damage from a massive polearm?
Since blocking in Diablo III has been overhauled, and now works by absorbing some set amount of damage, the use of shields should be much more interesting in D3. Two-handed weapons are more viable, since a player isn't be giving up 75% damage reduction by not using a shield.
Shield Media
Images of characters using shields in Diablo III remain fairly scarce.
A cool skull shield in the Blacksmith's display.
Barbarian with shield.
| Items of Diablo III [e] Item Basics Normal Items Crafting Legendary Armor I Legendary Armor II Legendary Weapons 1h Legendary Weapons 2h Item Sets |
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