Should you get an Iron Shield as a STR carry?

[i_am_da_pwn]

^ title :smile:
Cheers.

[TreeHorse]

I'd just buy the buckler and be done with it.

[Meowshi]

Same as tree horse.

Usually when I'm a melee, I buy the $250 shield, and just sell it later if I'm not going to use it (Which is a majority of the time.)

Coincidentally, I usually have my lane partner pull, and I just dance around the tower.

[US]

Don't buy iron shield for a STR carry. Except for axe, the bucker is sufficient to get you through the early game laning phase. Early game, the $300 to turn buckler into shield is a hefty chunk, that should be spent getting towards your first core. Once you've got your first core item (as any hero with a buckler), the enemy damage from creeps and incidentals is such an insignificant part of your hp that the buckler isn't helping, and the extra $300 for the shield wont be well spent since enemy heroes will soon outclass it.

[Manastrider]

Well, as far as I know, Iron Shield is for agility heroes that have a hard time surviving, or in some cases need to tank (Dark Lady, Swiftblade, etc.). The strength equivalent is Helm of the Black Legion. Though it is admittedly much more expensive than its agility counterpart, it offers much more durability in fights, something which only tanks require.

[Dominare]

Agreed - if you need to bulk up your str hero, HotBL is a much better choice in every case.