Yes, a very nice earring indeed. But, there are many alternatives, for the PLD on a budget. @ Karanna, This is not such a must. If you have the extra coin, buy it. But it is not something to quit leveling over. All in all, very, VERY nice, but not a must.
Yes this is a must for every PLD.
Shield skill is by the the most important stat for PLD's, and +3 at such a low level is very nice. This earring will last until endgame.
Definitely the best non-endgame earring a pld can have.
The shield skill +3 is a huge help not only in letting your shield proc more (thereby increasing actual shield skill), but reducing your overall DOT when your shield significantly blocks damage BY procing. Considering the only real alternatives to this are nowhere near as good in comparison, its worth the price. If you absolutely dont want to put the effort into getting one of these, at least get a Drone Earring, since AGI will increase your proc rate as well, however not nearly as well.
The biggest pain about this earring isnt even the farming, its usually waiting for one to come up on AH (i waited 11 days >.>). overall though, if you are stubborn about having the best armor at all levels like me, wait for it and farm for your lvl 36 items while you wait, otherwise keep leveling and get it as soon as one comes up.
most people have this kinda messed up. yes, larger shields proc less, but shield skill also helps the chance of procing, so a tower with high skill CAN proc more then a round with low. i still say kite is probably the best bet in procing to dmg reduction. thats why this earring helps.
Ugh -- Every time I'm in Jeuno when one of these things are up for sale, they're asking more than 160k.. I don't want to ruin the price of this thing, but dammit! Set the price to what it actually costs! :(
Personally I think that the pigeon earring +1 is much better than this as far as the paladin job goes (I can't really speak for the others). Additional shield skill is nice, but +25hp and +7 water stat dwarf the benefits that this thing would offer, and will be the best all the way up to harmonious and ethereal. Any pally without 2 pigeon earring +1s is second rate at best.
Remember shield skill is important for raising your shield skill more than having your shield activate more often, be sure to use a kite-style shield for increased activation.
