damage absorption

[SteelBow]

I bounce back and forth between here and the VN boards so forgive me if you've seen this question already.

Damage absorption percentage for the Dwarf race and Monk profession.

It's been stated that the Dwarf's racial damage absorption stacks with the Monk's profession absorption precentage.

I haven't played a Dwarf in any profession or the Monk class yet. So I added a Dwarf Monk to my character roster for the next run through the game. The Dwarf Monk starts with a huge 15 percent damage absorption!!! WOW!!!

My question is:

Does anyone have any real absorption numbers for, non-Dwarf Monk, Dwarf Monk or Dwarf in any other profession? I'm curious to know how high it may possibly get.

[Scatter]

Memory's a bit hazy, but one thing stands out--if you max Vit you get 25% by L20. And something like 21 for 60 Vit at L20.

[SteelBow]

Scatter,

Thanks for the response. What combo was that? Non-Dwarf Monk, Dwarf Monk or non-Monk profession Dwarf?

I got a response on the VN board from Lanastashia(aka Flamestryke - she has a great wiz8 site by the way)

She is, off and on, running a solo Dwarf Monk. Currently at level 40 and she reports a whopping 48 percent absorption. Darned impressive. Cutting the damage by almost half!!

I'm really looking forward to running one in my next game.

Thanks again for the response.

[Scatter]

Yah, my quote was a Dwarf Monk. Other Dwarves are limited to the Vit increases--only Monks get level increases (every 3 Levels)

[SteelBow]

Thanks for the insight on Dwarven damage absorption.

So, to get the most damage absorption out of a Dwarf Monk I should add to Vitality. I'm thinking at level-up, 2 points each in Strength, Vitality and Dexterity.

Just had another thought. A Dwarf fighter. Maxxing Vitality then Iron Skin after that would produce the ultimate tank character. Major hit points with the ability to absorb massive damage.

[Scatter]

I'm pretty sure Iron Skin is how Lanastashia got hers that high.

[Ziggurat]

Dwarf monks do really well, have to work on speed but not at the price of other good stats. My one experience with a dwarf monk was he was damn unkillable.

[Gadgeteer Tom]

Why absorb damage if you can just avoid it ? Reflection with Snake Speed makes one very hard to hit in the first place...
This game I've been pushing agility and senses (Eagle Eye), so while pumping up Eagle Eye and Reflection I'm pushing Strength and Speed (Snake Speed boots plus high reflection make my Bard hard to hit).
To absorb damage, I tend to prefer Elementals...

[Scatter]

Yah, Stealth and Reflextion are the way i prefer to go, too, esp to avoid the weight of armor; but with a Monk, there's no chance for weight anyway. And they have Stealth without an off-carreer level, so it doesn't bother me to use someone who won't max Dex very soon. It's also kinda fun to watch a Granite Golem hit a nearly naked character for only 4 HP.

[SteelBow]

Scatter,

Yeah, Lanastashia has Iron Skin up to 75 on her level 40 solo Dwarf Monk. That's how she got to 48 percent damage absorption. Will be interesting to know what the upper limit is for the absorption percentage. At level 50 with Iron Skin at 100.