How does Belegennon's damage reduction work?

[Glorfindel]

I recently came into possession of Belegennon, and was interested to see the new arrangements for the artifact. I am a little confused, though, how +5 damage reduction works. Is it like a sort of resistance to everything, including blows to attack? I would prefer an answer that gave some hard numbers for me to understand, or at least an opinion whether I am better off with the armour class of the Mithril Plate Mail of Celeborn, which I am carrying as an alternate for its banishment abilities.

[Nick]

It's just a straight -5 damage off any attack (after adjustment for armor) that hits the player. So it's not much good against big breathers or spellcasters, but great if you're surrounded by a bunch of orcs or trolls or hounds.

[Glorfindel]

Thank you, Nick.

[ogpl02]

excellent, it served me just the same, thanks