U4GM - PoE 2’s Armour and Shield Combinations: Building a Tanky Character
In the expansive world of Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), the character-building possibilities are endless. One of the most important factors when creating a tanky character is choosing the right combination of armour and shields. The game’s depth allows for numerous variations of defensive setups that can significantly impact your survivability and overall performance in high-difficulty content. This guide will take you through the best armour and shield combinations for building a tanky character in PoE 2, and how to make use of PoE 2 currency to enhance your gear and build.
Understanding Armour and Shield Mechanics
Before diving into specific combinations, it’s essential to understand how armour and shields work in PoE 2. Armour provides damage mitigation by reducing the physical damage taken. The more armour you have, the less damage you will take from physical hits. Shields, on the other hand, are more focused on blocking attacks, granting you the chance to fully negate incoming damage. A shield can also provide additional resistances and bonuses depending on the type of shield you use.
The synergy between armour and shield is crucial for building a tanky character. While armour reduces physical damage over time, shields can block incoming attacks. When combined, these two defensive layers create a powerful defense mechanism that will keep you alive in even the toughest encounters. However, to truly maximize your potential, you need to choose the right combination based on your desired playstyle and build.
Best Armour and Shield Combinations
Heavy Armour and Tower Shield Combination The classic combination of heavy armour and a tower shield is a staple for tanky builds. Heavy armour offers excellent physical damage mitigation, and the tower shield’s high block chance ensures that you can negate a significant portion of incoming attacks. Additionally, tower shields often come with bonuses to resistances, making this combination great for dealing with elemental damage as well. For this setup, you will want to focus on maxing out your armour rating and prioritizing affixes that boost block chance, resistances, and life. A high-tier tower shield can be quite expensive in terms of PoE 2 currency, but it provides unparalleled defense. Using PoE 2 currency to acquire a top-tier shield with high block chance and resistance bonuses is a smart investment.
Evasion Armour and Spiked Shield Combination For players who prefer more agility and mobility, evasion-based armour paired with a spiked shield can create a solid tanky character. Evasion armour grants you the chance to dodge attacks, adding an additional layer of defense. When combined with a spiked shield, which typically has high armour and a bonus to block, you create a setup that maximizes your ability to evade and absorb incoming damage. To make the most of this combination, you’ll want to focus on items that boost evasion rating, life, and block chance. This combination is ideal for those who want to be tanky without sacrificing mobility. However, keep in mind that evasion-based builds may struggle against certain types of damage, so it’s crucial to balance your defences accordingly.
Hybrid Armour and Kite Shield Combination If you want a balanced approach to both damage reduction and survivability, the hybrid armour and kite shield combination is a great option. Hybrid armour offers a mix of both armour and evasion, providing the best of both worlds. Pairing this with a kite shield allows for good block chance, while also giving you additional defensive modifiers such as elemental resistances. The kite shield is a versatile option for tanky builds, as it grants bonuses to both physical and elemental damage mitigation. This combination is particularly useful in situations where you face a wide range of damage types. As with other setups, be sure to focus on resistances, life, and block chance, while also keeping an eye on your armour and evasion ratings.
Body Armour and Siege Shield Combination For endgame tank builds, especially those focusing on high armour and physical damage mitigation, the body armour and siege shield combination is ideal. Body armour with high armour values and bonuses to life is perfect for absorbing large amounts of physical damage. The siege shield, with its additional block chance and increased physical damage reduction, complements this setup perfectly. This combination is highly effective in high-tier maps and boss fights, where the sheer amount of damage can be overwhelming. Using PoE 2 currency to acquire a high-quality body armour and siege shield will significantly improve your overall survivability. Additionally, focus on upgrading the shield with the help of PoE 2 currency to increase block chance and physical damage reduction.
How to Make the Most of Your Defence Setup
Building a tanky character goes beyond just choosing the right armour and shield combination. To truly optimize your defenses, you need to make sure that your passive skill tree and gear work in tandem with your chosen setup. Consider the following tips for maximizing your defensive capabilities:
Prioritize Life and Energy Shield: No matter the combination of armour and shield, always prioritize life and energy shield as the cornerstone of your defensive setup. Having a high pool of life will ensure that you can survive even the hardest hits.
Maximize Resistances: Be sure to cap your resistances to the maximum allowable amount, especially for elemental resistances. This will protect you against elemental damage, which is common in many PoE 2 encounters.
Upgrade Your Gear Using PoE 2 Currency: Use PoE 2 currency to upgrade your gear, ensuring that your armour and shield have the necessary affixes for maximum survivability. Don’t hesitate to invest in high-tier shields and armour pieces that provide additional block chance, resistances, and life bonuses.
Conclusion
In Path of Exile 2, building a tanky character requires careful planning and an understanding of how armour and shields work together. The right combination can significantly improve your survivability, allowing you to face even the toughest challenges with confidence. Whether you choose heavy armour and tower shields for raw physical defense or a more agile evasion and shield setup, be sure to focus on maximizing your defences with the help of PoE 2 currency to enhance your gear. By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an unkillable force in PoE 2.