Does anyone know which damage reduction would apply first?

E.g.

If you were going to take 250 physical damage and your armour provides 200 defense, but you also have 10% damage reduction would you take:

(250- 200) * 0.9 = 45
Or (250 * 0.9) - 200 = 25

I know its not a lot of difference, but trying to understand if % damage reduction is an ok side mod or basically just a wasted one unless you get hit for big crits (in which crit flux is probably better) or have no defense.

Not sure entirely, however, "Critical Flux %" is only activated when the monster deals a "Critical Hit" on your character... it does not apply to other damage. (Just my opinion).

+% Damage Reduction applies to all damage @ a % chance to reduce it... either physical or magical.

Thus, you would surmise something to the same conclusion as mine, or one of your own conclusion(s).
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Critical Hit % Chance = a % chance to deal double damage when a successful hit chance is dealt. (think about it, it is the same for monsters as well... if they hit a 0 damage due to EE, then it will show zero(0) damage, however the Crit chance has been successful, it still shows a zero(0) ... however in RED and not white) ... if damage is taken/dealt, it appears white (you or them) and if a Crit % chance is dealt, it appears in RED ... you or them.

Above Paragraph... you can see this often when killing off Arachnid(s) spawns... you kill them off... = white 0's, when you crit them = Red 0's. (vice versa)

So... theory, when you receive damage (Phys/Magical) and modifier(s) with Reduce (blah) ... the damage (either crit or not) is reduced).

NOTE: none of this has been explored... I like Physical Reduction when wearing Robes... it is minuscule, but it helps out more.


EDIT: Just a theory based on experience (& what I just stated above) .... Damage Reduction applies first, then Critical Hit chance. Remember... Critical Hit = Double damage, so it needs to have a Damage calculation first, thus Damage first, then Critical Hit = double that damage... hope this makes sense.

This post was edited by izParagonzi on Mar 5 2025 07:30pm

Thanks for sharing!

I didn't actually think about crit within the order of damage. This is actually much more noticable than physical damage reduction when combined with defence (e.g. *2 rather than *0.9)

In my past experience it seems like crit is applied before defense comes into play, as monsters often hit 500+ crits while only hitting <100 on regular hits (edit: although I dont notice this on my own crits vs monsters) hence it seems like crit is calculated first, then defense or physical damage reduction is applied (still not sure on order).

Based on that logic I would guess that % reduction would be applied first before defense is applied (assuming multiplicative effects come first), which may explain why you find it somewhat useful (at least with robes).

Appreciate that all of this is speculative anyway based on peoples experience/theories.

This post was edited by Bradymuck on Mar 5 2025 08:03pm

Hmm... here is a different way to look at it since you mentioned DEFENSE.

Defense is based on your Armor Type that reduces damage taken correct?
... % chance to BE hit is based on your DEFENSE = either 0-100 for example.
Damage Reduction is based on the Damage you received AFTER defense has been applied correct?
... % damage reduction (phys/magical) based on the damage received for example you were dealt either 0-100 dmg, and it is reduced by the % damage reduction = total damage after defense is applied.
Critical % chance deals DOUBLE DAMAGE after the above has been calculated.

This is how I perceive it... and the DAMAGE TOTAL (taken or given) can NOT be identified specifically UNLESS, you are using the exact same items / stats in comparison to the same monsters with lower damage or higher damage gear... including Defensive gear like EE% vs White item at the same Tier (Level).

Just my opinion.