How could we incorporate the Shield Slam spell into the EK's main attack rotation without significantly impacting damage?

Question

Now, with the class balancing update, we have the Shield Slam spell, which, in addition to dealing damage, grants a large defense bonus to the user. However, the inclusion of this spell seems to be more geared towards moments when the character needs greater protection, being used only in specific situations or in certain boxes.

Given this, my question is: how could we incorporate this spell into the EK's main attack rotation without a significant loss of damage?

Answer 1

In light of the question, it became clear that a simple test was needed to incorporate this spell into the rotation.

Considering a knight rotation: Exori Gran, Exori, Exori Min (with two perks from the Wheel of Destiny), we will test a substitution in which the spell we could swap for Shield Slam (Exori Scu) is Exori.

The test was conducted on a creature called Iron Servant Replica, which is neutral to physical and ice damage. The equipment used was a Naga Sword, a Falcon Escutcheon, and a Soulbastion.

The Exori spell (while equipped with the Naga Sword) was cast 20 times, and the damage dealt was recorded, disregarding critical hits. After that, the Exori Scu (Shield Slam) spell was cast 20 times using the Falcon Escutcheon, following the same methodology. Finally, Exori Scu (Shield Slam) was cast 20 more times using the Soulbastion.

The results are shown in this table:

Considerations:

Exori Scu’s damage will always be Physical Damage, regardless of which weapon is equipped; therefore, it is necessary to assess whether the creature in question is neutral or weak to Physical damage. In such scenarios, using Exori Scu may even be worth considering. For bosses, most of whom are vulnerable to physical damage, this option can be considered.

Regarding the test results, swapping Exori for Exori Scu would mean a loss of 10% of damage (with the Falcon Escutcheon) or 6% of damage (with Soulbastion), if the creature is equally neutral to both the weapon’s element and Physical Damage. On the other hand, the benefits of Shield Slam may justify these losses, given the reduction in melee damage taken.