Quote:Would that still work without a lot of points in energy? Also does the telekinesis synergy make eshield that much better? I had a sorc in softcore with 1 point in ES and 1 in TK and usually instead of just dying she died with an empty mana ball. Since I don't have any gear to start with I can't rely on using the powerful Nightsmoke. Would it still work without damage to mana gear?
Well, there was an enchantress guide that spoke against it, as well as numerous posts, but I decided against those words of "wisdom" and found it did exceptonally well! As it stands, there is a 2:1 ratio of mana spent per damage absorbed, so with 200% damage goes to mana, you could offset this amount. Every point into telekinesis reduces this ratio equivilant by 6.25% At level 16 telekinesis, the damage ratio is 1:1, and at level 20 its 3:4 . I guess it comes down to the items your willing to wear as opposed to the skill points your willing to spend.
At level 20, mana shield absorbs 75% of all damage taken.
Other than Naj's armor and Lanceguard, the rest of this stuff is pretty easy to get. Once you get Telekinesis to 16, there is no reason to have more than 100% damage goes to mana.
Damge Goes To Mana:
Howltusk 35%
Nightsmoke 50%
Angelic amulet 20%
Naj's Armor 45%
Lanceguard 15%
Magical Orb 12%
ITH Rune (armor, helmet, shield) 15%
TOTAL: 222%
Personally, I went with a "Lore" helmet until I found a Peasant Crown + ITH, Nightsmoke belt, I was using Angelic amulet until I found one with +skills (2)and resists, Naj's armor + ITH, Lidless Wall + ITH, and a magical orb (2) with +skills and I think it may of had +10% damage goes to mana. This gave me 15+50+45+15+15+10? = 150% damage goes to mana. I also had +7 skills from these items. Eventually, I want to upgrade to an Oculus and a Shako, so I can assume I'll loose 10% for 140% damage goes to mana. This means I only need 10 points into Telekinesis (Base 200% (-6.25 x 10) = 137.5%) to have a 1:1 ratio of damage to mana and have an 82% absorb from Mana Shield. If I really went all out and got a shako, oculus, and 10 lightening skill charms, I would have 94% absorb.
The problem people are having with Mana Shield, from what I understand, is that it is not taking resists into factor before energy shield absorb, thus elemental damage tends to empty the mana ball instantly.
I had a total of 60 Strength and added a few +strength charms for 80 strength which was just enough to equip everything I needed, zero points invested into dexterity, and the rest into Vitality and Energy. With the Frostburns and Silkweave my friend loaned me, I basically had (the way I see it) an extra 2,000 HP from my mana at level 80, atop my almost 1,000 HP. This was more than enough for me to justify taking up Energy Shield.
"The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self." -Albert Einsetin