Thanks for the Link.

Well...?

Another observation I made from tests (this is probably well known) is that Holy Shiled increases blocking speed by a big factor (base speed now indeed seemed like 3 frames instead of 6 or so). I did not test if it cuts the blocking in half, or adds a certain amount of FBR, or whether it's different per level, or a set value even at level 1... But if the tests that support the values for Amazon Basin table where done only on paladin with Holy Shield on, this would mean that they would be VERY biased =P

Perhaps this also applies to FHR tables, but I will not even begin to go into that.
</speculation and observation>

Let me first say that I am a new member, and this is my first post on lurker lounge. If I screw up, please have mercy!

I have been looking for literature on faster block rate, and I had not found much until I saw this reference to the amazon basin thread, for which I want to express my thanks.

My question is when does faster block apply? From the amazon basin table I should be able to get my paladin's blocking from 3 frames down to 2 by adding a shael to his shield. But when does the game show a blocking animation? I understand there is not an animation most of the time he blocks, nor have I ever seen anything that I can be sure is a blocking animation. I often hear a sound that I associate with blocking, however.

Somewhere I read that the blocking animation is not shown when the player is hit while attacking. If this is true, how much real advantage is there in using the one precious shield socket for a shael? (Assuming, of course, that the table is correct and that the breakpoint formula is not about to be changed in 1.10.)

Jo

It was six months into the game, pre-LoD, that I ever first even saw a blocking animation: a Barbarian with a shield who took a missile shot that he 'rolled' a block on. I only really saw it because I was looking for it, based on some Lounge discussions. (Yay, Bolty!) Pre LoD, as I recall, blocking boiled down to "a % physical immunity" as it were, since it was all shield based and since IIRC, other animations took a slightly higher priority to it, but its effects were still a benefit to the shield user.

The beta saw us return to the option for D1 like Block Lock, and so it now stands.

If you want to see the blocking animation, what I suggest you do is take a character who has a very high blocking percentage chance, and wander off into a hell diff game: without any armor, but with your shield, preferrable a normal shield, such as a bone shield or a tower shield.

Find some quill rats and simply let them take a few shots at you. You will eventually see your blocking animation, as your DR versus them will stink to high heaven.

The days of the LAW in D II were numbered when LoD came out . . .

The quill rats hurt, and unfortunately my companion killed them all, even though I had taken away her bow. Did not see any blocking animation there, nor did we hear any "clanks". In the den we heard some clanks, but could not see anything that I was sure was blocking.

Next we went on to the cold plains, where we ran into some dark spearwomen. My companion occupied herself with most of them while I let one do her worst on me. I (as it were) repeatedly moved my shield from left to right in front of me. This is not something I had ever seen before! Thing is, there were no accompanying clanks -- any idea? Also, the motion was fast, but perhaps not as fast as the 2/25 ths. of a second that I should expect from the amazon basin table. I admit it is hard for me to tell and more difficult to measure. I should try the same thing with some old shield as you suggested. In theory the animation should take longer and be easier to follow.

Interestingly that same dark spearwoman dropped the diggler.