What charm is better, Savage blow or Low blow?

Question

 Low blow 8% plus (level 2) chance of getting critical hit

 Savage Blow 40% plus (level 2) damage on critical hit

Lets put it as example flimsy hunt on Venore since there are many monsters of the same type.

Answer 1

To determine which rune is more efficient between Low Blow and Savage Blow, let's analyze based on the following:

1. Base critical hit chance (with Powerful Strike):

   • Powerful Strike: +10% critical hit chance.
   • Low Blow: +8% additional, total = 18% critical hit chance.
   • Savage Blow: No additional critical hit chance, remains at 10%.

2. Additional critical damage:

   • Powerful Strike: +50% critical damage.
   • Low Blow: No increase to critical damage.
   • Savage Blow: +40% additional critical damage, total = 90% critical damage.

3. Number of enemies:

   • You hit 10 enemies per attack.
   • The critical damage applies to all enemies hit when it triggers.

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Key Assumptions:

1. Attack Mechanics:

   • Each attack hits 10 Flimsy Lost Souls simultaneously.
   • Base damage per hit = 600 (6,000 total per attack across 10 monsters).
   • Critical hit applies to all 10 monsters when triggered.

2. Flimsy Lost Soul HP: 4,000 per monster.

3. Attack Rate: Assume 60 attacks per minute (1 attack per second), for a total of 3,600 attacks in 1 hour.

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Low Blow:

1. Base Damage Per Attack: 6,000 (non-critical).
2. Critical Hit Damage Per Attack: 6,000 × 1.5=9,0006,000 \times 1.5 = 9,0006,000 × 1.5=9,000 (50% increase).
3. Average Damage Per Attack:
   Average Damage = (18%  x times 9,000) + (82% x times 6,000) = 1,620 + 4,920 = 6,540
4. Total Damage Over 1 Hour:
   6,540×3,600= 23,544,000 damage in 1 hour.

Savage Blow:

1. Base Damage Per Attack: 6,000 (non-critical).
2. Critical Hit Damage Per Attack: 6,000×1.9=11,400 (90% increase).
3. Average Damage Per Attack:
   Average Damage = (10% × 11,400)+(90% × 6,000)=1,140+5,400=6,540
4. Total Damage Over 1 Hour:
   6,540×3,600= 23,544,000 damage in 1 hour.

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For large groups of enemies (like the flimsy), Low Blow and Savage Blow are equivalent in terms of average damage per attack. However, there are key differences:

1. Consistency of damage:

   • Low Blow has a higher critical hit chance (18% vs. 10%), leading to more frequent critical activations but with less impact per critical.
   • Savage Blow has fewer criticals but stronger hits (+90%).

2. Decision:

   • If you prefer more frequent critical hits, use Low Blow (great for consistent damage output against many small enemies).
   • If you want stronger, more explosive hits, use Savage Blow (better for tougher enemies or when critical impact matters more).

Comments

Nice explanation. I am using both :) Except of pure effectiveness it has mind - impact. Big crit numbers :)

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Amazing answer! Can you believe that I was going to ask the EXACTLY question yesterday? I already picked Savage Blow and Carnage to play around!

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One of the best answers that I've seen. Congrats and thanks for the information!