Block Counters

[surprise]

If I am an efreeti that has the block all counter, would it still be beneficial to get the dual wield skill up to 70 to get the 20% block with 2 weapons special? Also, is it beneficial to have the 70 agility dodge magic counter?

Finally, an unrelated question: As an efreeti, I get to use 1 essense. Is there any way for me to use it as a weapon? I found that If i remove both of my weapons, the essense becomes the weapon, but then i loose out on 2 equipment slots. Is there a way to make the essense the weapon buy stll use the first 2 equip slots. I tried equiping 2 shields, but that doesnt work.

[Variaz]

The Efreeti is one of the "hybrid" monsters, that can equip a mix of items and essences. However, in this case, the "hands" slots are made for weapons, not essences. So while you technically can still use the essence as your weapon, this is only possible if you have nothing in your hands slots, and so you would lose out on damage. And your hands have to be empty. Shields are treated no differently than weapons.

As for counters, they are a separate roll than any other normal rolls you may get. So yes, it's worth improving other defensive abilities, it will give you additional defensive abilities that will be checked in addition to the counters.