Low-Level Characters do Half-Damage? - Guild Wars Forums

Hybrid Meteroa · Jan 01, 2009, 10:22 PM // 22:22

I made an elementalist and went to the Ascalon Arena and noticed that he wasn't doing nearly enough damage as he should, so I went to the GToB and tested it out with the dumies. With 13 Fire magic I was doing half damage on the 60 AL guys. I then made a level PvP character, gave him 13 Fire magic, and he was doing the full amount of damage.

How long has it been like this? At what level do characters do full damage?

I can't believe I never knew this, even though I've been playing for 3 years. I mostly RA/TA so that's why I didn't know... But I'm really wondering what level you have to get to before you do full damage?

Thanks.

October Jade · Jan 01, 2009, 11:07 PM // 23:07

Damage that is not armor-ignoring is also subject to level differences. The numbers you see in skill descriptions, especially for elementalists, assume that you are fighting an enemy of the same level as you, with 60 armor. When you fire off a spell at a guy eight levels higher than you, there is a noticeable reduction in the damage you do (I think it's around 3% per level; you'll have to look it up). The opposite is also true; run around and Flare a bunch of things outside Ascalon to see huge numbers.

Empress Amarox · Jan 01, 2009, 11:12 PM // 23:12

Well, this is the first time I've heard of that happening.

**Marty Silverblade** · Jan 01, 2009, 11:25 PM // 23:25

Damage is determined by more than just the opponents armor level. As previously mentioned, your level and the opponents level is one of these factors.

Rhamia Darigaz · Jan 02, 2009, 03:04 AM // 03:04

go read the wiki article on damage calculation

Zodiac Meteor · Jan 02, 2009, 05:43 AM // 05:43

Thats why I don't let low level characters in factions on a mission.

1) They deal less damage
2) They take more damage

I've been noticing it for a long time.

MagmaRed · Jan 02, 2009, 02:51 PM // 14:51

Yes, because my level 20 Ranger using no skills and a bow that does 15-28 damage should be hitting a level 1 Mantrid for 180 damage, not 28. It is overlooked, but if yuo watch, you'll notice this easily. Level 24 monsters are common, even in NM, go fight them and notice a small decrease in your damage output. Armor, skills, weapon, weapon mods, and level (of you and target) all factor into damage calculations. Even terrain will at times, as you deal more damage with Spear/Bow from a higher elevation than your target.

Chthon · Jan 03, 2009, 05:11 AM // 05:11

The basic damage calculation for armor-sensitive damage is:
ActualDamage = BaseDamage * 2^((AttackerBaseline - DefenderArmor)/40)
where...

...if the attacker is using a martial weapon, then
AttackerBaseline = (5 * WeaponMastery) - (3 * (WeaponMastery - (2+ RoundDown(Lvl/2)))), otherwise...

...if the attacker is using a caster weapon or spell, then:
AttackerBaseline = 3 * Lvl.

(Since that's a bit ugly, a plain English description of what happens for martial weapon users is that they get 5 baseline per mastery rank up until a certain point, then 2 only baseline per mastery rank above that. The cutoff point is one-half your level, rounded down, plus two.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid Meteroa

How long has it been like this? At what level do characters do full damage?

It's been like this since day one. Your characters will do full damage at level 20.

Jan 01, 2009, 10:22 PM // 22:22	#1
Hybrid Meteroa Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2008 Profession: N/	Low-Level Characters do Half-Damage? I made an elementalist and went to the Ascalon Arena and noticed that he wasn't doing nearly enough damage as he should, so I went to the GToB and tested it out with the dumies. With 13 Fire magic I was doing half damage on the 60 AL guys. I then made a level PvP character, gave him 13 Fire magic, and he was doing the full amount of damage. How long has it been like this? At what level do characters do full damage? I can't believe I never knew this, even though I've been playing for 3 years. I mostly RA/TA so that's why I didn't know... But I'm really wondering what level you have to get to before you do full damage? Thanks.

Jan 01, 2009, 11:07 PM // 23:07	#2
October Jade Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: drifting between Indiana and NorCal	Damage that is not armor-ignoring is also subject to level differences. The numbers you see in skill descriptions, especially for elementalists, assume that you are fighting an enemy of the same level as you, with 60 armor. When you fire off a spell at a guy eight levels higher than you, there is a noticeable reduction in the damage you do (I think it's around 3% per level; you'll have to look it up). The opposite is also true; run around and Flare a bunch of things outside Ascalon to see huge numbers. Last edited by October Jade; Jan 01, 2009 at 11:10 PM // 23:10..

Jan 01, 2009, 11:25 PM // 23:25	#4
Marty Silverblade Administrator Join Date: Jun 2006	Damage is determined by more than just the opponents armor level. As previously mentioned, your level and the opponents level is one of these factors. __________________

Jan 01, 2009, 11:12 PM // 23:12	#3
Empress Amarox Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Above you. Profession: Mo/W	Well, this is the first time I've heard of that happening.

Jan 02, 2009, 03:04 AM // 03:04	#5
Rhamia Darigaz Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2008	go read the wiki article on damage calculation

Jan 02, 2009, 05:43 AM // 05:43	#6
Zodiac Meteor Imma Firin Mah Rojway! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: At the Mac Store laughing at people that walk out with anything. Profession: E/Mo	Thats why I don't let low level characters in factions on a mission. 1) They deal less damage 2) They take more damage I've been noticing it for a long time.

Jan 02, 2009, 02:51 PM // 14:51	#7
MagmaRed Furnace Stoker Join Date: Mar 2007 Guild: Our Crabs Know True [LOVE] Profession: R/	Yes, because my level 20 Ranger using no skills and a bow that does 15-28 damage should be hitting a level 1 Mantrid for 180 damage, not 28. It is overlooked, but if yuo watch, you'll notice this easily. Level 24 monsters are common, even in NM, go fight them and notice a small decrease in your damage output. Armor, skills, weapon, weapon mods, and level (of you and target) all factor into damage calculations. Even terrain will at times, as you deal more damage with Spear/Bow from a higher elevation than your target.