DUST Search - Shield Bias (Shields >> Armor)

Cross Atu wrote:

im-+bal-+ance /im-êbal+Öns/
Noun: Lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things: "imbalance of power".

If we have Shields > Armor, or Armor > Shields then something has to change.

At present armor is on the weak side, Scouts know it, Heavies know it, Assaults know it, Pilots know it, and most HAV drivers know it as well (tho it's a little harder to convince someone that a Tank shouldn't have very much Armor).
I run in pickup games with players from many corps and those still in NPC corps, I have yet to hear someone even attempt to make that case that Armor is the equal of Shield, much less that Armor is superior to shield. However I have frequently heard from Mercs running everything from Heavies to Dropships that you must develop your shield skills and focus your fit on shields if you want to keep yourself alive.

I'm sure there are still players out there who armor tank but I've yet to see someone dominate a match (within their battle field field role, they don't have to be #1 on the leaderboard) and have them confirm their fit is armor based.
The only thing I've heard debated as a rival for shields when making a fit would be damage mods.

0.02 ISK
Cross


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Talos Alomar Subdreddit Test Alliance Please Ignore 391	Posted - 2012.11.15 04:56:00 - [1] - Quote Cross Atu wrote: im-+bal-+ance /im-êbal+Öns/ Noun: Lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things: "imbalance of power". If we have Shields > Armor, or Armor > Shields then something has to change. At present armor is on the weak side, Scouts know it, Heavies know it, Assaults know it, Pilots know it, and most HAV drivers know it as well (tho it's a little harder to convince someone that a Tank shouldn't have very much Armor). I run in pickup games with players from many corps and those still in NPC corps, I have yet to hear someone even attempt to make that case that Armor is the equal of Shield, much less that Armor is superior to shield. However I have frequently heard from Mercs running everything from Heavies to Dropships that you must develop your shield skills and focus your fit on shields if you want to keep yourself alive. I'm sure there are still players out there who armor tank but I've yet to see someone dominate a match (within their battle field field role, they don't have to be #1 on the leaderboard) and have them confirm their fit is armor based. The only thing I've heard debated as a rival for shields when making a fit would be damage mods. 0.02 ISK Cross I am an Armor tanker on my heavy for a couple reasons. 1. to make room for mods. damage mods are essential for laser rifles, as adding an extra bonus on to a heated up beam is utterly devastating. having room to run sensor modules is great, as well. 2. if i'm running with a squad that has a rep tool (remember the good ol' days?) my HP can be kept higher in the middle of a fight than if i were relying on shield tanking. stacking armor plates with a mechanics at 5 gives just crazy base hit points as well, just a little under 1,100 IIRC. with a logi repping me it's very hard for most people to get the DPS to take me down. as i clear a room with a HMG. 3. constant passive regen is amazing. armor automatically repairing in the middle of a fight has saved my bacon more times than i can remember. i know this isnt limited to armor tankers and shield users can use this as well, but it requires taking a slot/cpu away from the shield mods which isn't always feasible. 4. I'm usually out of range of the damage types that have bonuses vs armor. I usually run a laser, so i'm well out of reach of anything besides the AR which deals 100% vs both so armor being weak to certain damage types doesnt come into play as often. 5. Shield tanking costs more SP. Getting up to a type-B heavy suit costs ALOT of sp. I'd rather use the sp i'd spend on that and the other shield skills on other things. having more capabilities is worth the drawbacks of relying on armor with it's weaknesses. granted my use of the LR changes what i need out of the heavy suit when you compare it to how most others run a heavy suit but I am entirely happy with the way an armor tank for my heavy has been treating me. the only buff armor needs is for armor plating to be made more practical and for logi's to get WP for repping again.