Spell/Magic Damage vs. Spell Critical?

woojmcd · August 2015

I'm currently a Vet 14 (HIGH ELF) Templar running as a magicka light armor dps build. The majority of my attacks are based off magic damage, not elemental. Considering what to invest champion points in, would investing to increase spell critical/critical damage or magic damage be better?

Which is better? Please explain.

Shader_Shibes · August 2015

@woojmcd

If you are using mainly magicka based damage abilities, put points into Thaumaturge. I think i'm right in saying that there are only 3 fire based Templar class abilities, and they are the first 3 skills in the Dawns Wrath tree.

Septimus_Magna · August 2015

Simple comparison between 5% increased crit dmg or 5% increased magic dmg.

Average spell crit for light armor build with inner light is about 42%.

Lets say an attack normally does 8k magic dmg, normal crit dmg would be 8k x 1,50 = 12k.
With 42% spell crit the average dmg would be 8k x (1 + 0,42 x 0,50) = 9,680 dmg.

With 5% increased crit dmg the modifier changes from 0,50 to 0,50 x 1,05 = 0,525.
The average dmg would be 8k x (1 + 0,42 x 0,525) = 9,764 dmg.

With 5% increased magic dmg the final dmg is increased because you only use magic dmg.
The average dmg would be 8k x (1 + 0,42 x 0,50) x 1,05 =10,164 dmg

Magic dmg is more effective but you'll need to get the passive that 12% spell crit for spending 30pts. After you get that go all into increased magic dmg.

hardcore_gmr · August 2015

I always side with spell damage over crit, unless you are going for a crit build. Critical is a chance occurance vs spell damage which is a flat increase overall. So the real question is whether you want to increase the damage you do all the time vs do you want to take a chance at a one large damage hit. Me, I choose base damage all the time I'd rather be sure of what i'm hitting for than be hoping that this next spell crits. Don't get me wrong though investing in crit chance is a good investment, you just need to make sure the numbers are in your favor. Anything less than 50% crit chance is not worth my points unless I am already happy with my current damage or at a point where I have to give up something else valuable to get more base damage. when it comes to CP points I would put crit chance behind base damage increase unless you are flirting with 50% or greater by selecting spell precision. Other than that Thuarmaturge, all day!

Springt-Über-Zwerge · August 2015

Shader_Shibes wrote: »

@woojmcd

If you are using mainly magicka based damage abilities, put points into Thaumaturge. I think i'm right in saying that there are only 3 fire based Templar class abilities, and they are the first 3 skills in the Dawns Wrath tree.

Nope there is just 1 and thats sun fire and its mophs

kaithuzar · August 2015

Easy way to answer it is right now in live +magic damage is better, once IC drops +crit will be better. It's a ratio that you have to think about " how can i get damage, how can i get crit, where's the sweet spot & can i hit it?"

Shader_Shibes · August 2015

Springt-Über-Zwerge wrote: »

Shader_Shibes wrote: »

@woojmcd

If you are using mainly magicka based damage abilities, put points into Thaumaturge. I think i'm right in saying that there are only 3 fire based Templar class abilities, and they are the first 3 skills in the Dawns Wrath tree.

Nope there is just 1 and thats sun fire and its mophs

I stand corrected then.............in my orthopaedic shoes.

Araxleon · August 2015

I have been lots of testing on this and conclusion is
Crit builds destroy stamina builds, can destroy magicka builds that arent shield spaming.

But your damage is *** with anyone with damage shields, you cant crit em and lose alot of damage espically vs sorc.