What is the best damage type against undead? - Guild Wars Forums

sixdartbart · Nov 06, 2005, 07:51 PM // 19:51

I am putting together a sword just for undead and was wanting to find out what hilt would be best for it.
I know that certain monster types take more damage from different things and need someone smarter than me to help.

I have searched alot of places and asked all the people that I know and nobody has a good answer so if anyone out there might know the answer to this please help me.
And if anyone is still wondering about the skelletons being undead the answer is yes I have tested a sheild vs undead and a sheild vs skels and took the exact same damage for an hour.
Thanks for any help that you can give me

FreedomFighter nl · Nov 06, 2005, 07:53 PM // 19:53

Maybe a sword hilt of undead like + 16% Dmg vs undead

sixdartbart · Nov 06, 2005, 08:09 PM // 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreedomFighter nl

Maybe a sword hilt of undead like + 16% Dmg vs undead

That would be a pommel and I have one that is +20% vs undead I need to find out what hilt to use but thanks for your input.

SA_DEMON · Nov 06, 2005, 08:14 PM // 20:14

With Undead i have noticed earth dmg does better dmg but havent found an icy hilt to try cold so it might be worth a try

lyra_song · Nov 06, 2005, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Sword Pommel of Deathbane.

Really smiting magic is the best against the undead. Balth aura, symbol of wrath, shield of judgement, judge's insight, etc.

Dylanowns · Nov 06, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

Holy dmg duh

sixdartbart · Nov 06, 2005, 09:14 PM // 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylanowns

Holy dmg duh

Wow did you even read this thread?
I really hope that you didn't read it and then still reply with that brillant statement

But if your have a holy damage hilt for a sword I would be more then happy to buy it from you

Ray · Nov 06, 2005, 09:34 PM // 21:34

Fire damage kills them too pretty well :/

hmyk · Nov 06, 2005, 09:37 PM // 21:37

Yup, holy dmg are 2x to undeads than normal.

dansamy · Nov 06, 2005, 09:39 PM // 21:39

But there's no sword mod to make your sword dmg hoy, is there? He's asking about modding his sword. Not about which skills to use.

Daegul Mistweaver · Nov 07, 2005, 01:50 AM // 01:50

I've been doing a great deal of testing on the effects of various damage types (inclusive only of those applicable to melee & bow) vs. different MOBs. I'll publish my results when it's complete; or near enough & I've got all my slayers.

Here's a sample though, since I have done testing on most undead. Base means average damage vs. this MOB, X% is % of base; S=slash, P=piercing, L=lightning, I=ice, F=fire, E=earth & B=blunt. Testing was done with max damage of 10 axes(1 unaltered, 4 modded elemental & 1 piercing), max 10 hammer and Wild Blow for each hit, skill in axe&hammer 12, strength 0-1(unvaried for any given MOB):

Zombie Warlock - All were base(19) damage; these are fleshy undead.

Skeleton ranger(named version had similar numbers) - S:base(16), P:69%, LIFE:base, B:138%

Hellhound - SPLI:base(10), F:280%, EB: base

Grasping Ghoul - SP:base(11), LIFE:146%, B:base

Skeleton Mezmer - S:base(18), P:72%, LIFE:base, B:144%

Skeletal Sorcerer - S:base(23), P:70%, LIFE:base, B:139%

Wraith - SP:base(10), LIFE:190%, B:base

Skeletal monk - S:base(24), P:71%, LIFE:base, B:138%

Fog Nightmare - SP:base(7), LIFE:200%, B:base

That's all for now, and I'm not entirely sure if ghouls & nightmares are considered undead class; I'll find out later when I've completed MOB types and finish up with the numbers for how the various bonuses(slaying, custom, X>50) and penalties(DP/bonus) interact. From previous testing that I'm not going to bother to quote ATM, skeleton slay and deathbane are the same vs. skeletons; though if I run across a spare skel with a % that =s my deathbane on a melee I'll doublecheck that.

But the semi-final analysis to the OP's question: there is no 1 type of elemental damage that does extra damage universally to undead; tho there are exceptions and skeletons of all types are resistant to piercing and vulnerable to blunt.

Hannibel · Nov 07, 2005, 02:04 AM // 02:04

holy dmg is the best dmg against undead by far

Daegul Mistweaver · Nov 07, 2005, 02:39 AM // 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibel

holy dmg is the best dmg against undead by far

How useful to know; I'm sure he'll head right out and get that holy sword hilt.

master_ranger_matt · Nov 07, 2005, 02:45 AM // 02:45

if u have it, bring jusdge's insight: 20% penetration and all attacks u deal do holy dmamge.

sixdartbart · Nov 07, 2005, 03:13 PM // 15:13

Hello all:
Daegul that is a really interesting study you are doing and I would really like to see it when you are finished.
Sa Demon , dansamy , Ray and of course Daegul thank you for your efforts at having a possitive discussion and trying to help answer the question that I was asking.
For all the rest of you

Seriously why not go ahead and read the thread not just the title before you start dripping your puddles of wisdom all over the place?
I have so far tried all of the elemental hilts except for ebon and have seen no damage difference but my tests haven't been nearly as in depth as what it appears Daegul is doing.
If anyone else has any further suggestion for this please let me know.
I will also be paying 100k for any of you that can get me a holy sword hilt

end sarcasm

I will leave you with a thought from Mark Twain. " It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

FFF_WarRaven · Nov 07, 2005, 03:29 PM // 15:29

ok i haven't bothered to look this up in the skill listing as i am at work, but check the monk skills, theres a skill that will add holy damage to attacks +20% armor penitration, this works well, but yes holy damage hands down, i don't seem to ever see much differances with elemental damage.

I do run my solo monk from Bergen to Toa for farming runs, and as in the other posts, soj, bal's, sow, etc all these are the most effective against undead, as for the pommels and such as deathbane and vs undead, i still don't see much of a differance in the effectivness of the weapon addons, i know for sure one of them is straight up garbage, the other does ok, i'll have to sk a guildie about that.

side note: I believe the uw, and fow, monsters are not considered "undead".

:::End Transmission:::

BrandonIT · Nov 07, 2005, 03:32 PM // 15:32

Daegul, yes please post your information when you are completed. That is most enlightening.

I can confirm that against hellhounds fire damage is MUCH more effective. Funny with a name like HELLhounds that fire would be the most effective damage...

Align · Nov 07, 2005, 03:36 PM // 15:36

Looking at those numbers, most monsters take normal damage or additional damage from elemental, and hellhounds take extreme damage from fire, so I'd go with a Fiery hilt.

Seissor · Nov 08, 2005, 12:00 PM // 12:00

Hammers blunt dmg works on undead, and holy dmg...ohh boy, that does a tonne of dmg. so pack judge insight.

my ranger goes into FoW with barrage and judge insight, works nicely.

Dwiggit · Nov 08, 2005, 12:51 PM // 12:51

From Daegul's post, fire damage almost universaly does increased damage to undead. In no cases did it do decreased damage. So fire would be the way to go IMO.

In my experience, fire seems to do very well. I love using inferno againt hellhounds. I've seen damage numbers near 280!

So go for that fire mod!

Dwig

Nov 06, 2005, 07:51 PM // 19:51	#1
sixdartbart Forge Runner Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: Peace Machine GRRR [DiE] Profession: W/N	What is the best damage type against undead? I am putting together a sword just for undead and was wanting to find out what hilt would be best for it. I know that certain monster types take more damage from different things and need someone smarter than me to help. I have searched alot of places and asked all the people that I know and nobody has a good answer so if anyone out there might know the answer to this please help me. And if anyone is still wondering about the skelletons being undead the answer is yes I have tested a sheild vs undead and a sheild vs skels and took the exact same damage for an hour. Thanks for any help that you can give me

Nov 08, 2005, 12:51 PM // 12:51	#20
Dwiggit Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Guild: Heroes Unlimited (HaCK) Profession: R/Mo	Fire Damage! From Daegul's post, fire damage almost universaly does increased damage to undead. In no cases did it do decreased damage. So fire would be the way to go IMO. In my experience, fire seems to do very well. I love using inferno againt hellhounds. I've seen damage numbers near 280! So go for that fire mod! Dwig

Nov 06, 2005, 07:53 PM // 19:53	#2
FreedomFighter nl Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: Killing Gladaitors Profession: W/Mo	Maybe a sword hilt of undead like + 16% Dmg vs undead

Nov 06, 2005, 08:14 PM // 20:14	#4
SA_DEMON Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa Guild: Royal Knights Of Camelot {HOLY}	With Undead i have noticed earth dmg does better dmg but havent found an icy hilt to try cold so it might be worth a try

Nov 06, 2005, 08:14 PM // 20:14	#5
lyra_song Hell's Protector Join Date: Oct 2005 Profession: R/Mo	Sword Pommel of Deathbane. Really smiting magic is the best against the undead. Balth aura, symbol of wrath, shield of judgement, judge's insight, etc.

Nov 06, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58	#6
Dylanowns Academy Page Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: Leader of: Zombies Stole My Ecto [ECTO] currently of the [SMS] Alliance, Racthoh ftw Profession: W/N	Holy dmg duh

Nov 06, 2005, 09:34 PM // 21:34	#8
Ray Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Denmark	Fire damage kills them too pretty well :/

Nov 06, 2005, 09:37 PM // 21:37	#9
hmyk Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Finland Guild: Mul On Mese	Yup, holy dmg are 2x to undeads than normal.

Nov 06, 2005, 09:39 PM // 21:39	#10
dansamy Chasing Dragons Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lost in La-La Land Guild: LFGuild Profession: Mo/Me	But there's no sword mod to make your sword dmg hoy, is there? He's asking about modding his sword. Not about which skills to use.

Nov 07, 2005, 01:50 AM // 01:50	#11
Daegul Mistweaver Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: The Incredible Edible Bookah [YUM] Profession: W/N	I've been doing a great deal of testing on the effects of various damage types (inclusive only of those applicable to melee & bow) vs. different MOBs. I'll publish my results when it's complete; or near enough & I've got all my slayers. Here's a sample though, since I have done testing on most undead. Base means average damage vs. this MOB, X% is % of base; S=slash, P=piercing, L=lightning, I=ice, F=fire, E=earth & B=blunt. Testing was done with max damage of 10 axes(1 unaltered, 4 modded elemental & 1 piercing), max 10 hammer and Wild Blow for each hit, skill in axe&hammer 12, strength 0-1(unvaried for any given MOB): Zombie Warlock - All were base(19) damage; these are fleshy undead. Skeleton ranger(named version had similar numbers) - S:base(16), P:69%, LIFE:base, B:138% Hellhound - SPLI:base(10), F:280%, EB: base Grasping Ghoul - SP:base(11), LIFE:146%, B:base Skeleton Mezmer - S:base(18), P:72%, LIFE:base, B:144% Skeletal Sorcerer - S:base(23), P:70%, LIFE:base, B:139% Wraith - SP:base(10), LIFE:190%, B:base Skeletal monk - S:base(24), P:71%, LIFE:base, B:138% Fog Nightmare - SP:base(7), LIFE:200%, B:base That's all for now, and I'm not entirely sure if ghouls & nightmares are considered undead class; I'll find out later when I've completed MOB types and finish up with the numbers for how the various bonuses(slaying, custom, X>50) and penalties(DP/bonus) interact. From previous testing that I'm not going to bother to quote ATM, skeleton slay and deathbane are the same vs. skeletons; though if I run across a spare skel with a % that =s my deathbane on a melee I'll doublecheck that. But the semi-final analysis to the OP's question: there is no 1 type of elemental damage that does extra damage universally to undead; tho there are exceptions and skeletons of all types are resistant to piercing and vulnerable to blunt.

Nov 07, 2005, 02:04 AM // 02:04	#12
Hannibel Banned Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: Playboy Entertainment	holy dmg is the best dmg against undead by far

Nov 07, 2005, 02:45 AM // 02:45	#14
master_ranger_matt Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah.... no im not mormon Guild: Radicals Against Tyrants [RAT] Profession: R/Me	if u have it, bring jusdge's insight: 20% penetration and all attacks u deal do holy dmamge.

Nov 07, 2005, 03:13 PM // 15:13	#15
sixdartbart Forge Runner Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: Peace Machine GRRR [DiE] Profession: W/N	Hello all: Daegul that is a really interesting study you are doing and I would really like to see it when you are finished. Sa Demon , dansamy , Ray and of course Daegul thank you for your efforts at having a possitive discussion and trying to help answer the question that I was asking. For all the rest of you Seriously why not go ahead and read the thread not just the title before you start dripping your puddles of wisdom all over the place? I have so far tried all of the elemental hilts except for ebon and have seen no damage difference but my tests haven't been nearly as in depth as what it appears Daegul is doing. If anyone else has any further suggestion for this please let me know. I will also be paying 100k for any of you that can get me a holy sword hilt end sarcasm I will leave you with a thought from Mark Twain. " It is far better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

Nov 07, 2005, 03:29 PM // 15:29	#16
FFF_WarRaven Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Behind the black shroud. Guild: FFF Profession: R/Me	ok i haven't bothered to look this up in the skill listing as i am at work, but check the monk skills, theres a skill that will add holy damage to attacks +20% armor penitration, this works well, but yes holy damage hands down, i don't seem to ever see much differances with elemental damage. I do run my solo monk from Bergen to Toa for farming runs, and as in the other posts, soj, bal's, sow, etc all these are the most effective against undead, as for the pommels and such as deathbane and vs undead, i still don't see much of a differance in the effectivness of the weapon addons, i know for sure one of them is straight up garbage, the other does ok, i'll have to sk a guildie about that. side note: I believe the uw, and fow, monsters are not considered "undead". :::End Transmission:::

Nov 07, 2005, 03:32 PM // 15:32	#17
BrandonIT Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Guild: Tribal Instincts Profession: R/E	Daegul, yes please post your information when you are completed. That is most enlightening. I can confirm that against hellhounds fire damage is MUCH more effective. Funny with a name like HELLhounds that fire would be the most effective damage...

Nov 07, 2005, 03:36 PM // 15:36	#18
Align Krytan Explorer Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: Protectors of Awesome[AWE] Profession: W/	Looking at those numbers, most monsters take normal damage or additional damage from elemental, and hellhounds take extreme damage from fire, so I'd go with a Fiery hilt.

Nov 08, 2005, 12:00 PM // 12:00	#19
Seissor Jungle Guide Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Squiggilyville. Population: Me. Guild: [oRly] Hello Kitty Death Squad Profession: R/Me	Hammers blunt dmg works on undead, and holy dmg...ohh boy, that does a tonne of dmg. so pack judge insight. my ranger goes into FoW with barrage and judge insight, works nicely.