Spell Pen Cap?

wellerrocks · July 2017

Hi Guys,

Was just wondering what is the spell pen cap? If there is not a set one how does it work?

Cheers

cellobuddy · July 2017

Depends on the enemy's resistance. Highest resistance on a PvE enemy is 18.2k. Having more penetration from all possible sources than that is a waste. Overworld enemies and trash in dungeons/trials vary.
If you're talking PvP, it's very dependent on what you're fighting. If they're in heavy armor, they could be anywhere from 25k to 40k resistance depending on the sets. Medium and light armor wearers typically only have 12-25k spell resistance depending on buffs and set choice. Wards have 0 resistance, rendering spell penetration useless. Essentially spell pen is a gamble in PvP. If the enemy has enough armor to penetrate, it's amazing. If they don't, you'd be better off stacking another stat.

paulsimonps · July 2017

In short, there is no cap. But if your penetration is more than the targets resistance then you don't get bonus past that cause you are already doing max possible damage. Resistance lowers damage taken, penetration lowers resistance. Penetration does not technically speaking increase damage done. But again, you can stack penetration to your hearts content, there is no limit.

chris25602 · August 2017

cellobuddy wrote: »

Depends on the enemy's resistance. Highest resistance on a PvE enemy is 18.2k. Having more penetration from all possible sources than that is a waste. Overworld enemies and trash in dungeons/trials vary.
If you're talking PvP, it's very dependent on what you're fighting. If they're in heavy armor, they could be anywhere from 25k to 40k resistance depending on the sets. Medium and light armor wearers typically only have 12-25k spell resistance depending on buffs and set choice. Wards have 0 resistance, rendering spell penetration useless. Essentially spell pen is a gamble in PvP. If the enemy has enough armor to penetrate, it's amazing. If they don't, you'd be better off stacking another stat.

Im a mag sorc and I will blow through most roles other than tanks I only hit 15k spell pen and i nuke quite a bit of people...and regularly get dominated by specific people.

Are there any links out to math/theory on spell pen?

Beardimus · August 2017

Think the maths all covered in this thread. 18.2k PvE, mobs less, PvP can be more.

theamazingx · August 2017

Quite a while ago, even trash mobs in trials were standardized to 18.2k. For most players, just take your personal penetration and add 5280 to account for Major Breach / Fracture applied by support, make sure the sum is under 18.2k and you're golden.

Lightspeedflashb14_ESO · August 2017

theamazingx wrote: »

Quite a while ago, even trash mobs in trials were standardized to 18.2k. For most players, just take your personal penetration and add 5280 to account for Major Breach / Fracture applied by support, make sure the sum is under 18.2k and you're golden.

In 4 man dungeons and 12 man trials, in the overland area, that includes delves and public dungoens, it is only 9100 resists for mobs.

The only place in the game that isn't 9100 or 18200 is Maelstrom area, where some mobs and bosses have different armor resists.

Minno · August 2017

cellobuddy wrote: »

Depends on the enemy's resistance. Highest resistance on a PvE enemy is 18.2k. Having more penetration from all possible sources than that is a waste. Overworld enemies and trash in dungeons/trials vary.
If you're talking PvP, it's very dependent on what you're fighting. If they're in heavy armor, they could be anywhere from 25k to 40k resistance depending on the sets. Medium and light armor wearers typically only have 12-25k spell resistance depending on buffs and set choice. Wards have 0 resistance, rendering spell penetration useless. Essentially spell pen is a gamble in PvP. If the enemy has enough armor to penetrate, it's amazing. If they don't, you'd be better off stacking another stat.

Breton Templars in LA can have 31-34k spell resistances buffed.

Source: me because I'm a Breton loving fool.

Minno · August 2017

chris25602 wrote: »

cellobuddy wrote: »

Depends on the enemy's resistance. Highest resistance on a PvE enemy is 18.2k. Having more penetration from all possible sources than that is a waste. Overworld enemies and trash in dungeons/trials vary.
If you're talking PvP, it's very dependent on what you're fighting. If they're in heavy armor, they could be anywhere from 25k to 40k resistance depending on the sets. Medium and light armor wearers typically only have 12-25k spell resistance depending on buffs and set choice. Wards have 0 resistance, rendering spell penetration useless. Essentially spell pen is a gamble in PvP. If the enemy has enough armor to penetrate, it's amazing. If they don't, you'd be better off stacking another stat.

Im a mag sorc and I will blow through most roles other than tanks I only hit 15k spell pen and i nuke quite a bit of people...and regularly get dominated by specific people.

Are there any links out to math/theory on spell pen?

Just the typical "if you have 15280 pen against 30000 resist, you'll roughly reduce their armor mitigation from 45% to 22%". TBH, procing minor vulnerability in PvP is much better after you have 15280 pen because you'll lose out on DMG since many players will be stacking Ironclad/thick skin and elemental defender. Your damage will get killed on that side of the mitigation equation.

Reducing their specific damage mitigation is important, or raising your raw DMG.