[.80] Help me understand Defense and Defending

from Elemental Forums

Does someone have the calculation that's use to determine damage? Usually, it's Attack - Defense. However, it doesn't seem to be that way in LH.

Then, on top of that you place in the variable if a unit is defending or not. What does defending actually do? It certainly affects archers!

Attack and Defense both seem more like a power rating than an actual value, but as someone who's played Elemental for a long time, I've yet to figure out how the system works.

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Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

In FE, the formula to calculate damage is:

Max Damage = Attack*Attack/(Attack+Defense)

Min Damage = Max Damage / 2

The actual damage is then determined randomly between Min and Max Damage.

I don't know, if this formula has changed, but maybe someone who actually played LH can confirm this.

Defending simply increases the unit's Defense by +5 until the next turn. Shields and certain traits can increase the bonus even more. The bonus from Defending behaves just like regular Defense.

Edit: Fixed an error in the formula.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

On HOW to defend, there are abilities that put you into defense mode or others in defense mode.  The easiest way is after making a move, using "PASS" at the end.  You should see a shield come up over the unit that ended it's turn.  It's now in Defense mode.  Once you attack or use an ability that doesn't end your turn in defense mode, you leave defense mode. 

 

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Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

Thanks, Gaunathor for the formula. I assume LH uses a similar one (or the same), but if anyone could confirm/deny this, that would be helpful.

Another question about the formula- Minimum damage doesn't take armor into account? You listed Max Attack. Did you mean that the formula should be:

Min Damage = Max Damage / 2

?

So, as an example:

My unit has an Attack of 7. I'm attacking a unit with a Defense of 1. The rounded Max Damage is 7*7/(7+1) = 6. The Min Damage is 6/2 = 3.

Darklion74- I understand how units enter into defensive modes, but I'm just not sure what effect that has on the formula Gaunathor provided. I get the impression that having a unit enter into defensive mode increases their existing defense by 5 (currently) or 10 (in the .85 release).

With the .85 changes, archers won't be worthless, but they sure won't be able to injure units before they attack. I'll probably start a separate thread on that, but if anyone else has some insight into defense, make it known!

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 3

With the .85 changes, archers won't be worthless, but they sure won't be able to injure units before they attack. I'll probably start a separate thread on that, but if anyone else has some insight into defense, make it known!

You got all points right. About archers - yes, they will be totally worthles >:P and thats ok as long you will try to get crystal and will be producing mages. Mages dont care about armor at all , muahahaha...

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 3
Another question about the formula- Minimum damage doesn't take armor into account?

It does. The armour is taken into account in the formula for Max Damage. Min Damage uses the same formula, but halves the result.

Quoting Lord, reply 3
You listed Max Attack. Did you mean that the formula should be:

Min Damage = Max Damage / 2

Argh! Yes, it should be. I'll fix it in my post. Attack and damage are used interchangeably in this game, so it is easy to get confused sometimes.

Quoting Lord, reply 3
So, as an example:

My unit has an Attack of 7. I'm attacking a unit with a Defense of 1. The rounded Max Damage is 7*7/(7+1) = 6. The Min Damage is 6/2 = 3.

Correct.

Quoting Lord, reply 3
I get the impression that having a unit enter into defensive mode increases their existing defense by 5 (currently) or 10 (in the .85 release).

Also correct. To use the example from above, but with the attacked unit in defense mode: Max Damage is 7*7/(7+6) = 4, and Min Damage is 4/2 = 2.