Please Help with a Haste QuestionFollow

I am trying to outfit a level 30 Barbarian Warrior and have a question about the most well-rounded and beneficial combination or gear. I have access to either a Lesser Guard of Haste and a Smiter's Girdle or, with a Flowing Black Sash and Gothic Steel Pauldrons

In looking at the stats of the haste items, it seems that the sash is far better at 21% vs. 6% on the guard. BUT, in looking at the level notation, they both seem to increase attack speed at the same rate: "Increase Attack Speed by 2% (L1) to 50% (L49)."

Where does the "Haste 21%" vs. "Haste 6%" come into play? I would prefer to use the girdle because the stats are very good, but I don't want to hit slower than I have to either. Does it make a difference? Any assistance is appreciated.

So it sounds like if I want the maximum haste effect I can get, I am better off with the sash and the pauldrons. I hate to lose the dexterity from the girdle (even tho its only +3) because my dex is lacking, but I will defer to the greater wisdom, if that's what you are suggesting.

More confusion there, at least for me. I am currently wearing Crystal Chitin Gauntlets borrowed from my main. The AC is 10 higher and the strength is 7 higher than the Silver Chitin, so I am left with another balancing act. If that Harvester Soul hunter would only drop that bloodguard soul ring....

With the suggestion of using the hand wraps, girdle and pauldrons, I now have a third option:

1. Lesser guard of haste, girdle, chrystal chitin gaunts;
2. Gothic pauldrons, FBSS, chrystal chitin gaunts;
3. Gothic Pauldrons, girdle, silver chitin handwraps.


Thoughts?

Edited, Mon Feb 23 14:32:42 2004 by Dedaien

Edited, Mon Feb 23 14:33:10 2004 by Dedaien

Ignoring the other stats, it looks like this:

1. Lesser guard of haste, girdle, chrystal chitin gaunts -
AC: 37 STR: 16, with 6% haste

2. Gothic pauldrons, FBSS, chrystal chitin gaunts -
AC: 30 STR 12 with 21% haste

3. Gothic Pauldrons, girdle, silver chitin handwraps -
AC: 30 STR 8 with 22% haste

Combo 3 gives the most non-AC ot strength related modifications: Dex 6, Agi 6, Sta 6, Magic 9.

Based on this, I am inclined to pick option #3 as the best all-around set up, even though I lose 7 AC and 8 Str. If I'm crazy, let me know.

I'd take number 3 as well. In general, always take the highest haste you can get, regardless of other considerations. You can only use one slot for haste. You have all the others to put in different combos of AC/HP/stats/whatever to fill out your character. Taking a lower level haste because the other gear options you have at the moment give you better stats is not really a good idea in the long run. You will get many more upgrades of other slots on your character then you will get upgrades in haste. It's better to build your character's gear by starting with the best haste item you can afford and going from there, then the other way around.

As always, thanks for the sound advice!