I am personally looking forward to this set. It would be nice to have a build that is viable post T4 that doesn't "require" Akkarats. Where in this build, AC may be an option you can take if you want, it isn't necessary.
As Hybrido states, you need higher block chance with Shield Bash, and you can run the Renewal which procs life on Block. That on top of all the extra healing you get passively from gear (now that they buffed the crap out of it) should provide tons of natural healing gained by uping your defense. Also, Shield Bash hits like a truck, Single Target and Multi Target. Maybe not quit as hard Holy Shotgun but pretty close, and it will attack faster, and it will be cheaper. So effectively I think it will become on par if not superior to Holy Shotgun. This is all speculation of course. We won't know more until we get the 6pc on PTR.
I know I am not the only one who read the new set bonus and though "HELL YEA!! SMITERDIN IS BACK!!" So I want to start this thread where we can start discussing the build that could go along with this set to achieve the most effectiveness. Here is my quick 5 minute build I threw together while here at work. The focus is on Wrath regen and minor CC because at a 100% additional Attack Speed, even with the Piro Shield, you will be eating wrath like crazy and you will be in the thick of everything so the potential to need to shield glare things to regen HP will be there.
I supposed a fire build because with the Piro combined with a well rolled Cindercoat you'll effectively have a 75% reduced wrath cost with, which leaves you the other five spots to fill with the set and a RoRG. The Gear I picture to be a perfect setup in my head is as follows:
Head - Set
Shoulders - Set
Gloves - Set
Pants - Set
Boots - Set
Chest - Cindercoat
Belt - Angel Hair Braid now that it has a cool new Leg Effect and I selected Punish for if we get wrath starved and Provoke and Shield glare is on CD. (I have a theory that we may be able to sub out provoke because the damage from this will be very nice to the point that we will want to use it anytime we are not bashing.)
Shield - Piro
Weapon - Maximus (prefered) for two hand or - Axe of Skanky for 1 handers (which means you'll also get the 15% IAS on top of the rest of the IAS and a 15% CDR)
Ring 1 - RoRG
Ring 2 - Fire SoJ
Neck - Not to sure on this one yet. Haunt is always nice and would coincide with Shield Bashes root (I think) or Ess of Johan would be nice.
I am at work so I cannot go into more detail. Keep in mind that this is ALL theory as I don't even know if the set it available on PTR yet.
Discuss -
Edit: One thing to note for you guys to keep in mind is the DR on IAS.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/calculator/crusader#aZYdfQ!SRUa!aYbcYZ
I supposed a fire build because with the Piro combined with a well rolled Cindercoat you'll effectively have a 75% reduced wrath cost with, which leaves you the other five spots to fill with the set and a RoRG. The Gear I picture to be a perfect setup in my head is as follows:
Head - Set
Shoulders - Set
Gloves - Set
Pants - Set
Boots - Set
Chest - Cindercoat
Belt - Angel Hair Braid now that it has a cool new Leg Effect and I selected Punish for if we get wrath starved and Provoke and Shield glare is on CD. (I have a theory that we may be able to sub out provoke because the damage from this will be very nice to the point that we will want to use it anytime we are not bashing.)
Shield - Piro
Weapon - Maximus (prefered) for two hand or - Axe of Skanky for 1 handers (which means you'll also get the 15% IAS on top of the rest of the IAS and a 15% CDR)
Ring 1 - RoRG
Ring 2 - Fire SoJ
Neck - Not to sure on this one yet. Haunt is always nice and would coincide with Shield Bashes root (I think) or Ess of Johan would be nice.
I am at work so I cannot go into more detail. Keep in mind that this is ALL theory as I don't even know if the set it available on PTR yet.
Discuss -
Edit: One thing to note for you guys to keep in mind is the DR on IAS.