Defense Penetration vs Attack Main Stat | Forums

[Felis_Menari]

With defense pen. as the main stat as opposed to attack, it comes down to a a 6% def. pen. bonus vs a 1.6% attack loss with legendary gear. Me thinks unless someone is crazy and running a negative defense build, the extra defense penetration is you f to yield better results in just about any scenario. Thoughts?

[Mirage6201]

If 1% def is offset by 1% attack or 1% defensive penetration then I would say you are correct. I chose the def pen over the smaller attack. If this is true then I think some older gear has better stats. I have never tested this.

[Felis_Menari]

Well, I guess it's not surprising, due to the devs' decision to nerf def. pen. as a secondary stat. The funny thing is that they may very well have made attack primary/def. pen. secondary a non choice with that decision. The only question then is if you sacrifice for full block damage, do you dump attack or defense penetration?

[Klingentaenz3r]

he only question then is if you sacrifice for full block damage, do you dump attack or defense penetration?

I usually dumb attack for that trade. Since the other stats don't seem to matter in this regard ("Chip Damage does not stack with Attack / Defense Gear Stat") I go with max defence penetration and block secondary on my Punch Through builds so that I can ensure that I will be doing the same amount of damage against basically everyone who is not blocking my attacks.

Depends on your idea and setting however. If you feel that you are up against bots (that currently don't have defence values I believe), low level chars or if you want to be a supporter that deals massive block damage during a ganking situation, then max block, secondary attack could be a thing to go for. *shrugs*

[Felis_Menari]

I usually dumb attack for that trade. Since the other stats don't seem to matter in this regard ("Chip Damage does not stack with Attack / Defense Gear Stat") I go with max defence penetration and block secondary on my Punch Through builds so that I can ensure that I will be doing the same amount of damage against basically everyone who is not blocking my attacks.

Depends on your idea and setting however. If you feel that you are up against bots (that currently don't have defence values I believe), low level chars or if you want to be a supporter that deals massive block damage during a ganking situation, then max block, secondary attack could be a thing to go for. *shrugs*

Hmm...didn't think about that. Maybe the rest of your attack bonuses gain greater benefit with the bonus defense penetration? But I don't feel full block damage is worth the loss in direct damage anyways. I got an even spread set up, and I certainly notice the difference,but it's not worth it IMO.

[Klingentaenz3r]

But I don't feel full block damage is worth the loss in direct damage anyways. I got an even spread set up, and I certainly notice the difference,but it's not worth it IMO.

I agree with you there.If you don't have punch through as a feat, it seems that block damage deals just diminishing amounts of damage and especially since it does not include the light attacks also (which were I think in PTS2 and back then it was a real difference). The only interesting thing additionally is that with block damage you have the ability to kill opponents. I ran with block damage as secondary stat on my highlander till rep 6 and it was interesting to finish off people that would block your attacks. Since he has strong empathize on heavy attacks this kind of worked on. On the other hand he doesnt have punch through and more over in OF he can just bypass a block anyways.

Hmm...didn't think about that. Maybe the rest of your attack bonuses gain greater benefit with the bonus defense penetration? .

That depends on the meta. Not sure though with how much defence people run around these days

[Felis_Menari]

I always forget that Punch Through is a thing. Sure wish that was an option for my Lawbringer. Maybe then full block damage would be appealing? As for the stat meta, I don't see low defense being viable. While running just one piece with negative defense (stamina piece, naturally), it felt like my Lawbringer had the durability of tissue paper. I can only see assassins being able to even think about low defense builds. But even then...two good hits, and they're pretty much done.

[Lithanik]

As everyone is running something between -2% to +2% def.
Def penetration is useless and attack is always better.

[DJ_Masterson]

I have to be honest, I thought Defense Penetration was a stat that effected your ability to avoid getting superior-blocked.

Like when you attack a Conq's guard and it pushes you back and prevents you from continuing a chain, that sort of thing.

[gj4063]

As everyone is running something between -2% to +2% def.
Def penetration is useless and attack is always better.

This makes sense