Race Designs & Strategies

[Nagot Gick Fel]

PDF said:
The main drawback of a HS is no shield

Not true. I've seen Hell Swords kill their wielders because they turned Berserk too soon. If you're counting on your ID's Breath of Winter to do most of the damage, you've got an issue to deal with here.

but IMHO it only makes a real difference if you can afford one of the rare really good shields -Aegis/Barrier.

If the other slots are filled with resistance stuff, and you're facing a Botulf Barrage (tm), a Shield of Valor will probably be better either of these.