questions for the analyltical mind

[Bluesky81]

I know nothing about tracking software functions and believe these questions might only be answerable by
such a procedure.

If deadly strike is the percentage probabilty of doing double damage, then what does the 'critical strike' attribute of a barabarian's weapons masteries do?

Is deadly strike overidden by, and cancelled out by, the simultaneous use of critical strike?

Which amulet is more valuable with regard to increased damage when used on a frenzy barabarian?
Highlords wrath with a 32% chance of deadly strike?
"or"
Atmas Scarab with a 5 % chance to cast a level 2 amplify damage upon striking?

If damage reduction (whether integer or percentage) is the same thing as physical resistance, does DR not provide protection against elemental damage?

If magic (whether resistance or damage) is the same thing as the three elements, comprised in equal parts of lightening, fire and cold, ... does 'magic damage reduction' apply only to the three elements when they are together as magic,..or...can it reduce any one of the three elemental damages when found alone without the other two?

If a weapon's attack speed cannot exceed 'very fast' and yet, IAS can stack on a character, then there must be a difference between weapon speed and a characters' attack speed. If this is a safe assumption, then what is that difference?

Can a merc use IAS on a helm if he already has a very fast attack speed weapon?


What necro skills (such as amplify damage, lower resist, and life tap) stack with a barbarian's battlecry,.....and,... would alternating multiple auras have to be present to indicate and verify the successful simultaneous use of 2 or more skills.

[Halicarnasus]

I know nothing about tracking software functions and believe these questions might only be answerable by
such a procedure.

If deadly strike is the percentage probabilty of doing double damage, then what does the 'critical strike' attribute of a barabarian's weapons masteries do?

Critical strike is slightly different from deadly strike. You should check on Arreat Summit for more info on the differences.

Is deadly strike overidden by, and cancelled out by, the simultaneous use of critical strike?

No, the 2 skills stack, but understand that there probably is a cap on it. My guess is that you can't get 100% deadly strike AND 100% crit strike...actually I seriously doubt you can get 100% on either one. If i had to guess, i'd say the cap would be at %50.

Which amulet is more valuable with regard to increased damage when used on a frenzy barabarian?
Highlords wrath with a 32% chance of deadly strike?
"or"
Atmas Scarab with a 5 % chance to cast a level 2 amplify damage upon striking?

Clearly highlords is much better. It has +1 skills, and 20 ias. Aside from that, 32%>5%. You'll hit for double dmg in one out of 3 hits with highlords, and 1 out of 20 hits with Atmas. Highlords>Atmas anyday.

If damage reduction (whether integer or percentage) is the same thing as physical resistance, does DR not provide protection against elemental damage?

DR solely works against physical. It is possible to test this, and has been tested. Physical resistance is different from magical resistance, which are both also different from elemental resistance. Magical includes skills such as a necro's spear/spirit and a paladin's hammers. Also, note that the cap on DR is 50%. You can have items that total up to more than 50% dr, but the cap is set at 50% in the game.

If magic (whether resistance or damage) is the same thing as the three elements, comprised in equal parts of lightening, fire and cold, ... does 'magic damage reduction' apply only to the three elements when they are together as magic,..or...can it reduce any one of the three elemental damages when found alone without the other two?

Again, read above. Physical resistance, magical resistance, and elemental resistance are all different.

If a weapon's attack speed cannot exceed 'very fast' and yet, IAS can stack on a character, then there must be a difference between weapon speed and a characters' attack speed. If this is a safe assumption, then what is that difference?

There is a max attack speed for each skill. Any experienced player should know this. Example: With fanaticism, and a grief pb, smite speed will be at its fastest, no matter if the IAS on grief is 30 or even 40. With a GriefZ, though, the ias needs to be atleast 34 to have max smite speed. Weapons have different base speeds. Characters can only attack as fast as the weapon. If you were able to have a fanat aura on a sorc, for example, and use a grief pb while smiting (you would have to go on open and hack to get this setup) the sorc would be no faster/slower than a smiter pally.

Can a merc use IAS on a helm if he already has a very fast attack speed weapon?

Like characters, mercs can only attack so fast. read above explanation for details.


What necro skills (such as amplify damage, lower resist, and life tap) stack with a barbarian's battlecry,.....and,... would alternating multiple auras have to be present to indicate and verify the successful simultaneous use of 2 or more skills.

All curses cancel each other out. If you cast amp dmg, then lower resist, the lower resist aura will remove amp dmg and place itself on the affected target. Curses do not stack (IE work together). Auras can work at the same time, and battlecries also. Curses can't tho.

Hope I helped.

[Bluesky81]

Hey, thank you for taking the time Halicarnasus. You have reaffirmed that my thinking on some matters was basically correct; on others, not so correct...,and,...yes,... you helped quite a bit. Your explanations helped put things in a more easily understandable perspective.
Grateful for the help.