Random questions I posted to my Discord group (and just haven't gotten a response on yet):
Can I assume that by pretty much any metric, Stage 3 Duban is superior to Ochain in pretty much every way (obviously, one gives up the damage to MP conversion)?
[2:44 PM]
And is the 108% block rate listed on BG Wiki accurate (am I understanding it correctly)? Or does it take into account equipment modifiers?
Yes, both Ochain and Duban have the same base block rate. However, Duban's superior stats—Shield Skill, VIT, Magic Evasion, MDT II, and overall utility make Ochain largely obsolete. Ochain is only relevant if you already have it and in niche situations where you need MP recovery. Otherwise, Duban is the clear winner.
The ~108% listed on BG Wiki for Ochain and Duban indicates their exceptionally high block rate, nearly guaranteed under standard conditions. It’s not a literal 108%, but rather a representation of their reliability. For example, against an Apex Archaic Cogs lvl 145, I observed a block rate of 93.48%. The difference is influenced by factors such as your Shield Skill, the monster's combat skill, and potentially other modifiers, showcasing their effectiveness even against high-level enemies.
