Origin of "spike damage" - Guild Wars Forums

nunix · Jan 04, 2006, 05:22 AM // 05:22

Anyone know why/when GW players started using this unique terminology? In every other MMO it's simply left as "direct damage", and I haven't seen it before playing Guild Wars. Is it actually an import from something else, or what? I -want- to say MTG has something really, really close to this term, but I can't recall, and google is failing me.

Valerius · Jan 04, 2006, 05:25 AM // 05:25

i've always heard it as spike dmg... even in other games

sno · Jan 04, 2006, 09:11 AM // 09:11

same here, always spike... spike damage isn't just refering to a single attack though (usually,) it's when attacks are directed all at the same time, to create one huge damaging blow, by combining several smaller hits.

Think of a damage per second graph. with degen the graph would be somewhat constant, but with 'spike' damage, the damage would be zero, until the spike, when it would jump up, and then go back to zero again, looking like a spike

and thus, the origin of the word

fallot · Jan 04, 2006, 10:24 AM // 10:24

I've never heard the term before either, its either direct-damage or "nuke" for other games. Wasnt exactly hard to understand though.

Epinephrine · Jan 04, 2006, 03:33 PM // 15:33

It's not the same as "direct" or "nuke" - spike damage refers to coordinating the large damage hits to occur near-simultaneously, to defeat counter-heals and such.

- Nuking is simply putting a lot of damage out, typically in an area.
- Direct damage is simply a form of damage that is useful to spike with, as it is more reliable than trying to spike with damage that may well miss.

Its appearance in GW is likely at least in part due to the combat graph, in which the rapid damage/heal cycles look like spikes.

Maxiemonster · Jan 04, 2006, 04:18 PM // 16:18

Spiking doesn't mean direct damage, it's not even damage in all cases and it doesn't have to be with more then 1 guy either. It's a combination of spells by 1 or more people to either heal for a big amount (Healing spike), or deal damage for a big amount (Damage spike).

DeanBB · Jan 04, 2006, 06:32 PM // 18:32

Quote:

Anyone know why/when GW players started using this unique terminology?

You're all wrong! It started when my pet wolf, Spike, defeated all challengers in the Arenas! Bwahahaha!

Talin Verderben · Jan 04, 2006, 07:08 PM // 19:08

I think the MTG term you are looking for is "Burn". Where the deck focuses on a large amount of damage dealing spells to quickly damage your opponent.

But anyway....

Jan 04, 2006, 05:22 AM // 05:22	#1
nunix Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2005 Profession: N/	Origin of "spike damage" Anyone know why/when GW players started using this unique terminology? In every other MMO it's simply left as "direct damage", and I haven't seen it before playing Guild Wars. Is it actually an import from something else, or what? I -want- to say MTG has something really, really close to this term, but I can't recall, and google is failing me.

Jan 04, 2006, 05:25 AM // 05:25	#2
Valerius Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Canada Profession: R/	i've always heard it as spike dmg... even in other games

Jan 04, 2006, 09:11 AM // 09:11	#3
sno Look into the Eye. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Detroit, Mi Guild: Oh No Not These Guys [uhoh] Profession: Mo/	same here, always spike... spike damage isn't just refering to a single attack though (usually,) it's when attacks are directed all at the same time, to create one huge damaging blow, by combining several smaller hits. Think of a damage per second graph. with degen the graph would be somewhat constant, but with 'spike' damage, the damage would be zero, until the spike, when it would jump up, and then go back to zero again, looking like a spike and thus, the origin of the word

Jan 04, 2006, 10:24 AM // 10:24	#4
fallot I'm the king Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Aussie Trolling Crew: Grand Phallus and Chairman Pro Tempore	I've never heard the term before either, its either direct-damage or "nuke" for other games. Wasnt exactly hard to understand though.

Jan 04, 2006, 03:33 PM // 15:33	#5
Epinephrine Master of Beasts Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ottawa, Canada Guild: Servants of Fortuna [SoF]	It's not the same as "direct" or "nuke" - spike damage refers to coordinating the large damage hits to occur near-simultaneously, to defeat counter-heals and such. - Nuking is simply putting a lot of damage out, typically in an area. - Direct damage is simply a form of damage that is useful to spike with, as it is more reliable than trying to spike with damage that may well miss. Its appearance in GW is likely at least in part due to the combat graph, in which the rapid damage/heal cycles look like spikes.

Jan 04, 2006, 04:18 PM // 16:18	#6
Maxiemonster There is no spoon. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Netherlands Profession: Mo/	Spiking doesn't mean direct damage, it's not even damage in all cases and it doesn't have to be with more then 1 guy either. It's a combination of spells by 1 or more people to either heal for a big amount (Healing spike), or deal damage for a big amount (Damage spike).

Jan 04, 2006, 07:08 PM // 19:08	#8
Talin Verderben Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus, Ohio Guild: Guild of Calamatous Intent Officer Profession: R/	I think the MTG term you are looking for is "Burn". Where the deck focuses on a large amount of damage dealing spells to quickly damage your opponent. But anyway....