Nirv S2 vs S3 Cape+Helm

Put sapphire stuff in helm/cape to get mdef (for g16), not the best solution, but a possibility.

Restat some of the dex away, so you are 200 dex green and put it in vit/str (i go with str always).

Other people can give you a better idea on the pros and cons.

I had t2 helm and cape for a while but changed over to t3. I was able to restat about 60 points into str. That plus the 900 hp set bonus sold me on going t3. Someone who knows more of the ins and outs of this game can tell you if or when its worth it to go t3.

Okay I'm gonna have to disagree somewhat with Dan here.

First, on the N3:

10+ Stats on your N3 is a dream. Having helped, or done myself almost 20 helms and capes (no joke, of each with friends/fac) - It's rare to get 10+ in EACH stat, along with the 2% PReduction in the helm.

Realistic stats are 9 across the board (worse I'd say lol), however the 2% PReduction seems to be decently common. So far, save LA people, Dex is the dump stat in the helm, and mag and dex in the cape (D&D Reference) and people will end up with an 8 or something crappy in them if the other stats are good.

On sockets: I've seen 2 pieces outta the nearly 100 have good stats AND 4 sockets/2 Sockets. Unless you're super rich you're gonna end up with 3 sockets and decent/good stats.

So with that...I have to say they're about even and it comes down to style. If it was auto 4 socket and +10 or more this convo would be very different.


Personally, I like my MR. I also like my crit. I value my Attack levels over strength due to me trying to dive through people's def levels. BUT! I'm mostly on strike teams. My gear I had to find a balance between tankability and some ability to nail people.

I really feel a well sharded (JoSD, Vit Stone - kinda) R9 can afford to utilize the Crit, MR, and Attack levels of N2. N3 affords a good set of tankability, but tbh in the field - even 2k more HP isn't going to make a giant enough difference when I'm getting murdered. I can't count the Barb buff cause I swear when it comes down to that time, I'm always purge force rear entried.

That 2% crit with the 5 attack levels is going to help me take out a cleric before I die though. I'm estimating here, but a buddy of mine with +12 R9/N2 dies about 1-2 seconds later, and another with +11ish R9/N3 dies at the same time I do. It's just not enough of a difference to me, to sac 1% crit, 5 attack levels, and a tiny bit under 400mr.

1260 hp at +12 is the difference to me. If it was more like 3k, I'd be going N3.


So really I don't feel either is "better" than the other. It's really about style and preference. Personal opinion wise, I feel N2 has a stronger set of stats for us in terms of what we do in the field, given with R9 we're already really tanky enough. But, N3 is just fine if more tankability is your preference.

Just going to throw my 2 copper pieces (D&D refrence) in here. I was VERY lucky with my helm, 2% with +11, +9 +10 for stats and 4 sockets. Cape was 2nd roll with +11 strength, +8 dex and +11 strength and a +6 on magic, 3 sockets. With 96 attack lvls with r9 I felt the 60 points in str was a better fit for me. Now I have 0 shards in my armor, I'm trying to figure out what im going to do with etiher r9r2 or r3. The extra hp is nice to have, it makes up a bit for the lack of def lvls. If I catch and AA or LA non r9 flat foot it's usually a 1 or a 2 hit. If they are r9 I do enough damage that they have to either AD or IG and forget what they are doing or die. I didnt have that before with n2, it felt like I had to work harder to kill people. I guess it really all boils down to the type of build you have and what your needs are.

TheDan - Sanctuary wrote: »

You have some very valid points Maelael; they are both viable in their own respective situational needs, I guess I've been speaking on behalf of a Cat Team BM, so survivability is my main priority. Not to mention I'm a highly targeted person apparently, always first to be purged in TW or PK lol. Our perspectives will probably always differ here.

*snip* I'll switch to Jones from O'malley on hotkeys if I'm needing extra damage output in a situational moment, and switch back when I need the survivability.

*snip*looking at your gear I think you had more survivability than me to begin with, even if you were in Jones blessing.

*snip*I've just finished re-rolling my R8r spear for purge on the 47th try, so I'm going to be going around purging people all the time in O'malleys, then swiching to Jones after purge lol.

Ugh Cat team, you poor poor soul. Actually thats a severe needed function, and I can do it, I just don't like being Cat Team BM (or one of the 2-4 depending on our squads). I just find Strike/Push to be more fulfilling, and Def team (cat/push team killing) to be just barely slightly less awesome.

With that, if I was perma Cat team, I would be right with you and bending over for the Chicken stones and going N3. The added survivability after IG/AD/Etc is way worthwhile.

I've tried the blessing switching in TW, hated it, but my gear has change a lot since I did, I'm gonna have to give that another go.

And yea, thats one of the big things that made me stick with my N2 cape and helm. I've already got nearly full JoSD, I can afford to stick with better attack. TBH I've got the coin in raps & cannies & random **** to 4 socket and JoSD out my helm, just every time I think about the money it costs my head hurts and I'd rather spend it on a friend or my nub Psy. IF I can R8r chest -int one day, I may consider JoSD my helm. I'm rambling at this point - point is if your defenses are tanky already, you can afford to utilize the attack from the N2 set.

FOMG Purge Spear or Purge Axes. I can't decide. I may one day do that. But omg 47 rolls...that blows and could have been like, JOSD heaven for you or you coulda done something stupid with another toon like I did with my barb.

I'm still of the thought in TW tho, you've got Venos, keep the pole in your pants. Play more CC and let them worry about it.

Zarkin_Baxil - Raging Tide wrote: »

Just going to throw my 2 copper pieces (D&D refrence) in here. I was VERY lucky with my helm, 2% with +11, +9 +10 for stats and 4 sockets. Cape was 2nd roll with +11 strength, +8 dex and +11 strength and a +6 on magic, 3 sockets. With 96 attack lvls with r9 I felt the 60 points in str was a better fit for me. Now I have 0 shards in my armor, I'm trying to figure out what im going to do with etiher r9r2 or r3. The extra hp is nice to have, it makes up a bit for the lack of def lvls. If I catch and AA or LA non r9 flat foot it's usually a 1 or a 2 hit. If they are r9 I do enough damage that they have to either AD or IG and forget what they are doing or die. I didnt have that before with n2, it felt like I had to work harder to kill people. I guess it really all boils down to the type of build you have and what your needs are.

I hate your face with those rolls lol. Lucky as hell man.

If you're shardless (or just flawless), and can afford R9r2, do it! Go check out Kawaii's thread on the differences between the soon-expansion and our R9r3, and make a decision. R9r2 is the expensive part, R9r3 is easy (but ugly...omg ugly).

The one BM on HT with R9r3 has amazing, amazing stats. He still gets pwned easily tho, cause he's not very good at PK or TW.

But you're right, it comes down to needs. Mine are more MR, and more crit. I kept 200 dex in R9 cause I want more accuracy, crit, and some more attack levels to nullify people's def levels.

X_Rays - Harshlands wrote: »

Overall I chose S3. 1.5k HP is, in a sense, equivalent to 10 defense levels which is more useful than 5 attack levels. And BMs with magic marrows up will not care about those 400 mdef loss from lunar nirvana helm + cape.

I made this post a while ago:

http://pwi-forum.perfectworld.com/showpost.php?p=17563181&postcount=2

10 Def levels on average is a 6.5% reduction if I have that silly conversion ideal right. That would mean, on average, you need to be getting hit by ~25k hits for that 1.5k hp to be equal to 10 def levels - for one hit.

Where the HP shines is the lower hit stuff. But if you look at that post, you can see there is no easy conversion for HP to Def levels. I just say keep that in mind when explaining to anyone about comparing HP and Def levels.

But lets talk mag marrow:

N2: http://pwcalc.com/006dc70efdfd576d
N3: http://pwcalc.com/5e5bbed87dfa5347

(This also reminds me I need to update my pwcalcs and add my barb too...)

Over 1k more mdef vs like 150 pdef. Yes, its 1600 more hp, but personally I'm getting freaking annihilated by Casters way more...and every reduction I can get possible on those freaking heavy shots the better.

I can't remember the average conversion of mdef to hp. Anyone remember what it is? I can't find that thread.

In the end...prolly either is a valid choice. Or just get both and switch depending on what you're using, if you're filthy rich.

Maelael - Heavens Tear wrote: »

just barely slightly less awesome.

O_O how very sort of kinda descriptive