Shield Passive: Bulwark

Hey everyone, I just wanted to get opinions on the shield passive, Bulwark (+4% block with shields). It seems a little weak to me considering Phalanx (Templar) and Aegis (Marauder) both come with an additional perk (+20% defenses from equipped shield). Furthermore, Testudo (Duelist) has the additional perk like Phalanx and Aegis, but comes with the additional advantage of a 6% block increase instead of the 4% block increase. Overall, Bulwark seems seriously underpowered, but I could be missing something.

In my opinion, this passive should either (a) be brought to a 8% block or (b) at least given the same additional perk as Phalanx and Aegis. I would definitively like (a) much more than (b) as it would give Bulwark a different feel from Phalanx and Aegis, without feeling like you're being cheated.

So, what do you guys think about Bulwark and changes that could be made to it?

I don't think you can consider the values in isolation. Bulwark is a block cluster within two points of another block cluster (Phalanx). It's on a really nice, short path up from the Phalanx cluster, past a crit cluster and two life clusters (one being the very efficient Divine Toughness) to Static Blows. In terms of opportunity cost it always seems good value to me.

Having said that, just for flavour distinction I'd personally like it re-combined in some form or other with the "energy shield on shield" nodes that now form a separate branch in its cluster.

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I don't think you can consider the values in isolation. Bulwark is a block cluster within two points of another block cluster (Phalanx). It's on a really nice, short path up from the Phalanx cluster, past a crit cluster and two life clusters (one being the very efficient Divine Toughness) to Static Blows. In terms of opportunity cost it always seems good value to me.

Gus, that is a good point that I really didn't consider. Still, I would like to see at least a small buff. Such as bringing it from 4% block to 6% block. Although, I really can't complain too much seeing as there are some great (depending on your build) nodes very close to it.

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Having said that, just for flavour distinction I'd personally like it re-combined in some form or other with the "energy shield on shield" nodes that now form a separate branch in its cluster.

I think that would be an awesome idea. Although, I have to laugh because my build wouldn't benefit from an energy shield increase. Nevertheless, that would definitely give it a unique feel.

The cluster isn't a great argument I could use a buff yes. Big clusters with little reward are a flaw anyways. Like the 5 node clusters with at the 3rd node some buff and than there are 5 and 6 clusters with mediocre or weak notables at the end. They could all use some love.

Either beyond bulwark you should find interesting increased es from shield nodes (boost them to like 40% min) or you should buff bulwark. There are many solutions and fixes and possible changes possible for this cluster or how this is placed, but at least IO think most agree that the current status doesn't deserve a beauty price.

That doesn't mean it is "that weak" or horrible and that there aren't worse atrocities in the passive tree, because there are. It would perhaps be interesting to have +max block or some more spell block in the tree, maybe that could make bulwark stand out, also perhaps some other shield clusters should distinguish themselves more.

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It would perhaps be interesting to have +max block or some more spell block in the tree, maybe that could make bulwark stand out, also perhaps some other shield clusters should distinguish themselves more.

Oz, I really like the idea of adding some spell block to Bulwark. That would definitely give it a nice feel. Perhaps something like that small node near Phalanx that allows a percentage of block % to be applied to spells. So, Bulwark could be changed to "+4% additional block chance and 24% of block chance is applied to spells". I have to say, that would be the best option thus far.

Bump

Come on, lets keep the good ideas coming! :D

Bulwark rly looks low and bad vs most big nodes.
Still have little hope that we will see big rework/buffs for most (50-70% of all nodes) passive skill tree nodes.

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Bulwark rly looks low and bad vs most big nodes.

I can't agree with you enough there! :P

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Still have little hope that we will see big rework/buffs for most (50-70% of all nodes) passive skill tree nodes.

With how much change we have just seen with the ranger starting area (good ones too in my opinion), I too have hope that some of these less notable passives will get some love.

The Bulwark cluster is really close to good nodes, as has been said above. That path is very well travelled already.
It is also exceptionally close to very good nodes - the 30% extra ES from shields ones. Buffing bulwark is basically just a further buff to ES characters; it's not needed.

2% extra block is awesome already. 4% extra block is really awesome. No need for a buff.

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The Bulwark cluster is really close to good nodes, as has been said above. That path is very well travelled already.
It is also exceptionally close to very good nodes - the 30% extra ES from shields ones. Buffing bulwark is basically just a further buff to ES characters; it's not needed.

dudio, your point about it being really close to "good" nodes is, as has been said, a good point. However, "good" really depends on your build and gear. Say, for example, a Lightning Strike (LS)-type Templar using ES/Armour gear w/ an ES/Armour shield goes that path. Then yes, he will have so many good nodes that his head will explode. However, if the Templar is using a full Armour shield, then the ES increase on shields will become not applicable. One may counter that by saying "There are many good defensive nodes in the Marauder starting area". This is correct, however it will take about 6-7 points to just get into the Marauder starting area. Overall, this isn't a bad investment, but it does leave the feeling of being inefficient. In other words, if it took less points to get into the Marauder's starting area or there where good shield nodes along the way (e.g. Aegis above the the starting area vs. below it) then Bulwark would probably be in a good place.

Also, lets not forget that these "good" nodes are even less applicable for any non-lightning Templar build because Static Blows will not be an option (although it seems that not too many seasoned Templar players pass up the Wrath + Static Blows combo).

The real question is, how do you make Bulwark better for non-ES/non-lightning users without overpowering the ES and lightning builds? At this point, it would seem that modifying that small area between the Templar and Marauder starting areas would be the best bet.

Great discussion guys!