Seal of Ancestry - is it worth it?

Grim Dawn Gameplay Discussion
1

So we all know how new components cost an arm and a leg to craft in the AoM. I have crafted Seal of Annihiliation and it’s a pretty strong buff for my already strong Vitality caster/Doombolt conjurer.

Now my melee druid is almost completely geared, I am only missing couple of new components. One of those is Seal of Ancestry, thought it would be a good buff for a melee char in the new meta where being melee is not easy as it was before.

I’ve been told that similiar shield on Runeguard Greaves is sucky. Maybe someone tested Seal of Ancestry and can tell me how it works? Does shield accounts for resists and everything? How much damage can it actually take?

2

There must be someone who tested it, like praetorians or something.

3

Whoever told you that is dead wrong. Runeguard Greaves are amazing, maybe even nerf-worthy.

Flat absorption occurs at the end of the damage mitigation chain, after all other reductions.

http://www.grimdawn.com/guide/gameplay/combat.php#q17

4

What about Seal of Ancestry? Same mechanics? Did you try it out?

5

Yes, yes, yes.

That said, I find the base item underwhelming. I’d only choose it if you really need the resist and want the shield.

6

That’s disappointing, thought it would add something to my melee druid. Guess I will stick another seal of Anihhilation in :frowning:

7

I dont see the need to nerf it when there are other boots that also absorb 10k damage.

It is an end game boot, leave it be.

8

I need another opinion about it. It’s a very expensive craft, but melee life is hard in the expansion. Maybe this shield can help against Grava/Alexander. Here is my Druid for reference (actual armor rating is 1808, Grimtools not showing crafting bonuses).
If I use Seal of Ancestry in my amulet, I can use two Runebound Topazes (when I sell my liver for some more ugdenblooms) in ring slots. If I use Seal of Annihilation I will gain more attack speed and oa/da debuff. What do I do

9

Well, since there were no other opinions I had to test it for myself. Tested it against Alexander, Grava and just ordinary chtonian heroes.

In a fight versus Alexander (was a 2 player game) I just dropped a totem and started chopping the mage dude down without retreating, while my BWC sorcerer friend was throwing molotovs from the distance. Shield held for almost the entiriety of the fight (I was taking no damage), but it was probably my friend who was absorbing some damage that made it last so long.

Fighting regular chtonian heroes/purple bosses with chaos/aether damage is super easy with this shield. In Edge of Reality I was just walking thru everyone taking only physical damage, shield held for quite a bit.

Grava just laughed at my shield and killed me in 3 hits, after I decided to take a stand (with a totem dropped). I guess only shield based melee chars can facetank him all the way, maybe some sick dual wielders with huge leech.

So overall it feels like a strong component for melee fighters, especially ones with big damage output, it helps you burst thru crowds and tough bosses before shield is depleted.

10

Grava does not care for most things, so not surprised he can do that.