Markovian’s Defense modifies Total Damage by -18%. The cooldown reduction for Overguard seems helpful, but I’m not sure if that Total Damage modification will affect my Retaliation damage. I’ve looked around forum posts, and I’ve found conflicting accounts.
Does Total Damage (negative or positive) affect Retaliation? Some people said it did in TQ, which uses the same engine, and others have said it doesn’t. Also there are differing opinions for the actual game I’m concerned with as well. =p
I remember people thinking that Markovian’s Defense could be used for Retaliation when it was first introduced. I can’t give a perfect source but what I read from someone else at the time is that Zantai said over a stream that the damage modifier does effect Retaliation.
It should be easy to test anyway i’de imagine if you have a flat source of Retaliation damage such as from Blood of Dreeg and check your character window’s third tab with Overguard up and down.
Edit: Nevermind, i just tested it for myself and it seems i’m wrong. The damage modifier doesn’t seem to effect Retaliation damage.
Edit 2: Nevermind again, i was right :rolleyes:. I thought the reduction was only while Overguard was up when it’s actually a global modifier.
Hrmm. Did you let the mob hit you before you took the modifier and get the full 257? The reduction could also be due to resistances, right? I would think that the Total Damage would be reflected in the third tab, as you suggested, but that number doesn’t change.
Edit: It’s very difficult for me to test, as I have retaliation damage all over my Devotions and gear
Edit2: Yeah, no question in my mind now. I used a different character in Normal with 42 flat physical retaliation. Both with and without the modifier (regardless of Overguard actually being activated, I tried both ways) the enemies were taking exactly 42 physical damage retaliation. It doesn’t affect it (which makes sense, since pet damage and retaliation damage are different mechanics than direct, player-dealt damage).
Still 211 without the modifier, now i don’t know what to think :eek:. Someone else with a better understanding of the game’s mechanics is going to have to confirm this for me. I’m gonna assume the 257 vs 211 being a ~18% drop was a coincidence.
Edit: 211 with Overguard w/ Markovian’s Defense active as well before anyone asks.
Test #2. On Chthonian Hungereres and on Normal as i noticed Elite was also giving me a different number (namely 236). With transmuted Overguard and without it, i’m now getting the same numbers so i’m going to assume it doesn’t effect Retaliation damage. I’m assuming 236 and 211 came from a set of default armour Wretchmen wear that absorbed some of the damage? Though, if Pierce damage is meant to bypass armour, shouldn’t Pierce Retaliation?
Edit: No, Wretchers according to grimcalc’s monster database have a passive totalDamageModifier that changes with level from around 8% at level 4 up to around 20% at level 90. That explains the numbers earlier. My bad.