Initial testing on this weapon would indicate that the game has a new and highly powerful SITUATIONAL weapon. This isn't a power weapon, but early testing and the current low price (around 12,000 nps) indicate that all serious one-player battlers should have one of these kicking around in the Safe Deposit Box for situational use. It also has some two-player value, but only if you happen to know the battleset of your opponent or she has a particular "special" weapon that you're sure to see and which this compromises. The fire defense isn't game changing, but the implied full air defense (remember this is a new weapon, and a VERY early review, and weapons have been known to be downgraded shortly after launch) when combined with earth attack greatly diminishes the threat of several well known weapons. In particular, the Super Attack Pea, Bow of Destiny (where the 100% air blocking AND 3-icon fire defense turn this into a whimpering 5-icon attacker), Dusty Magic Broom, The Bringer Plushie, Illusens Gems, Stone Club, Ylanas Blaster and Battle Quill are greatly compromized by this shield among multi-use weapons and one-use items like the Rotten Negg, Ornate Fighting Fan and Chocolate Chip Battle Biscuit are also diminished. In two player one could also gamble that eventually a spiecies like the ever popular Kacheek, will eventually want to use its species attack capability (which includes earth attack), thus shutting down any air attacking weapons of the opponent. If initial testing results hold, the battledome just got a whole lot more interesting, and some long established battlesets and battleplans are going to have to be changed. This is a weapon for counter-punchers, but isn't contingent upon your pet's defense, and one that can have excellent SITUATIONAL value for the price.

Rating: 9
Date Posted: Jul 08, 2009

Power (2/4) Fully Blocks one icon type with small additional blocking. But loses a point as these only happen in combination.

Price (2/2) Even compared to other nearly-full type blockers this is a fraction of the price

Tactical (2/3) This has some important uses. Notably it's a solid defense against the very common Pirate Captains Cutlass and Ghostkersword provided that your opponent also uses earth, such as with a species ability, Ghostkerbomb or Faerie Slingshot

Another Angle (1/1) I really like this, it's a cheap and interesting prize weapon that shifts tactics in the BD without rendering any other weapon obsolete. TNT should promote whoever designed this.

Alternatives: Other cheap type-blockers include Sinsis Helm, Winged Scarab, Enchanted Kiko Squeeze Toy and various single use items such as Potion of Concealment, Slippery Floor Potion and Starlight Potion

Upgrades: For more reliable air defense you have to pay a lot more. Consider Triple Turbo Dryer, Ring of Weightlessness, Shield of Soaring or morphing into a Pteri

Defenses/Countermeasures: If you have a big air weapon, don't use it in conjunction with an earth attack.

Rating: 7
Date Posted: Jul 08, 2009