Duress is a damage-forward armor with decent defensive properties too, ideal for all kinds of Physical damage builds.

Duress Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths of the Duress Runeword:

Only Runeword armor with Crushing Blow and Open Wounds

Enhanced damage, both being an overall percentage and additional Cold Damage

Good defensive properties with 40% Faster Hit Recovery, enhanced defense, and across-the-board resists

Relatively inexpensive runes with a lot of armor choices

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Stamina drain reduction can partly offset stamina drain from heavier base item choices

Weaknesses of the Duress Runeword:

Cold resist is good; other resists aren't high

An offense-focused armor, Duress is just one of only 2 body armor pieces in the game with Crushing Blow, and something of only 4 with Open Wounds -- and also the only one with both. No other Runeword armor has either property. This makes Duress particularly well-liked by dual-wielding specs because it will apply these properties to both weapons. This is a good step toward reaching 100% with either property, especially coupled with other desirable items for example Gore Rider boots.

Duress Recommendations

Runewords vary on the suitability for various classes and specs, too as a utility for that various Mercenaries. This next section will discuss what classes and specs could make the most out of Duress, whether you should look at using Duress together with your Mercenary follower, what base to consider, and where you can acquire Runes.

Best Classes and Specs for that Duress Runeword

Any class dealing Physical damage will like Duress, though dual wielders can get even more take advantage of it. Both Crushing Blow and Open Wounds are ideal for taking down tough mobs, and taking advantage of this armor could make reaching 100% on either of those traits a real possibility. While melee builds needing more defense might want to go for an option for example Fortitude instead, this armor presents an excellent balance between protection and damage output.

Duress for Mercenaries

Duress is amazing Mercenary armor for that Act V Barbarian mercenaries, because of the boss-killing goodness of Crushing Blow and Open Wounds. The extra defense aids in their melee-fighting style. In Patch 2.4, they'll also be able to dual wield, providing them with twice the advantage on the offensive properties of the armor.