SW: Always on block rating 500 (SB passive) + 1400 Shield = 1900. Assassinate - doesnt do a lot of damage, but it applies a bleed effect on you that lasts until the boss dies, so if you get hit multiple times it will start to really hurt. So far it looks viable, but definitely not OP. Life Drain - run away quickly, before it starts doing significant damage & healing. Each item slot increases that trigger chance by 1.44%.

This translates to 26% chance to trigger 60% absorption. So without any item slot commitment, we have 6500 Deflection Rating (always on). Mage: Between Innate and Mage Armor Passive, we have 5100 always on Deflection Rating. Two classes are in the running: Mage and Shield Warrior. Let's consider if this makes deflection build OP. Unique Bonus: Active Block Rating added to Deflection Rating Unique Bonus: Deflection damage increased by 100% Here is a weapon set suggestion to really make deflection shine. Turning good defense into offense has always attracted me. As it stands though, I don't see how it can compete with the more scale-able attacks thus, it's likely to be neglected.

With deflection rating change and dedicating a new passive 'mage armor' and innate passive for mage class for the stat, it's clear that Devs want this meta to be viable/relevant.

Best mage weapon eternium