Elite Lionheart armour vs. Duriels Shell

[kandrathe]

I'd go with Duriel Shell if you value;

160%-200%ed +1.25 Def/lvl -- at max (732) Duriel's shell will exceed the ~500 +20%Ed from Great Hauberk Lionheart
Cannot Be Frozen -- a very important thing to have in Hell, it seems 1/3 of unique bosses are cold enchanted
An open socket which allows you to add something missing. I've Um'd mine for +35% resist Fire, Lightning, Posion and +65% cold. Ber would be a good choice if I'd ever found one.

This was my lvl 77 Assassin Kia Kitana's armor until recently when she was able to complete Natalya's set. I still think the Duriel's shell is better (than Nat's shadow, having the complete set bonuses rocks), but she is more fond of her sense of fashion.

Lionheart offers;
more Life -- +20 Vit (*3 = 60 Life) and +50 Life) for +110 total, Duriels adds +1/lvl Life to 99 total
more Str -- +25 versus +15 on Duriel, so more damage
+10 Nrg and +15 Dex -- so more mana, AR, and defense
more resists 30% resists versus the 20% Fire, Lightning, Poison, 50% cold
no sockets

If you can depend on salvation, or a Diamond shield then I would go with Lionheart.