EV vs Shield

[styrix]

Playing a wizard, I found a +15 shield artifact with -5 EV, for -10 EV total. Is it worth wearing, rather than my simple +3 shield of positive energy? The end resulting stats are EV9 Shield29 or EV19 Shield17 with Positive Energy. My shield skill is 1, and my dodge skill is 7.

[Stormfox]

For a caster, you first need to be more concerned with the shield's effect on your casting success. Compare that before you look at EV/shield.

What race are you? Most races suited for casting tend to have better aptitude for Dodging rather than Shields. You'll burn more XP building Shields skill.

Once you're past those two, the shield of positive energy is looking like the better choice, simply because the extra 10 points of EV means that you're going to require fewer checks against the shield. And you get some resistance as well.

[lucy_ferre]

I would use the shield of positive energy over Bullseye. Your shield skill is too low, so your casting penalty will be significant. Stick to bucklers for now.