Skillchain Damage Calculator
Model and optimize the total damage of your skill sequences in any RPG.
The probability of landing a critical hit.
The extra damage dealt on a critical hit (e.g., 50% means 1.5x total damage).
Damage Breakdown Chart
Skillchain Damage Progression
| Skill # | Damage In | Multiplier (%) | Damage Out |
|---|
What is a Skillchain Calculator?
A skillchain calculator is a specialized tool used by gamers, particularly in Role-Playing Games (RPGs) and Massively Multiplayer Online RPGs (MMORPGs), to determine the total damage output of a sequence of skills used in succession. Unlike a simple damage per second calculator, a skillchain calculator focuses on the compounding effect where each skill in the chain may enhance the next, leading to exponential damage growth. This tool is essential for theorycrafting and optimizing a character’s “rotation” to achieve maximum burst damage.
Players use a skillchain calculator to model how different skills, buffs, and stats interact. It helps answer critical questions like “Is it better to use a high-damage skill early?” or “How much does a small increase in a skill multiplier affect my total output?” Understanding these dynamics is key to mastering complex combat systems.
The Skillchain Calculator Formula
The core of the calculation involves a sequential multiplication of damage modifiers, followed by an averaging of potential critical hit damage. The formula can be broken down into two parts:
1. Raw Chain Damage Calculation
This calculates the total damage from the skill sequence before considering critical hits.
D_raw = BaseDamage * M_1 * M_2 * ... * M_n
2. Final Average Damage with Critical Hits
This adjusts the raw damage by the statistical average increase from critical hits.
D_avg = D_raw * (1 + (CritChance / 100) * (CritBonus / 100))
Variables Explained
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
BaseDamage |
The damage of the first skill in the chain. | Points | 10 – 10,000+ |
M_n |
The damage multiplier for the nth skill (e.g., 1.2 for a 20% increase). | Unitless Ratio | 1.05 – 3.0 |
CritChance |
The probability of a critical hit occurring. | Percentage (%) | 5% – 100% |
CritBonus |
The additional damage percentage from a critical hit. | Percentage (%) | 25% – 200%+ |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Basic 3-Skill Chain
A warrior character wants to calculate the damage from a standard 3-hit combo.
- Inputs:
- Base Skill Damage: 500 points
- Skill 2 Multiplier: 20% (1.20x)
- Skill 3 Multiplier: 50% (1.50x)
- Critical Hit Chance: 20%
- Critical Damage Bonus: 75%
- Calculation:
- Raw Damage = 500 * 1.20 * 1.50 = 900
- Average Damage = 900 * (1 + (20 / 100) * (75 / 100)) = 900 * (1 + 0.15) = 1,035
- Result: The average total damage for this skillchain is 1,035 points.
Example 2: High-Crit Assassin Chain
An assassin focuses on landing critical hits with a longer chain of quick strikes. For more info on this build, see our guide to assassin builds.
- Inputs:
- Base Skill Damage: 150 points
- Skill 2 Multiplier: 10% (1.10x)
- Skill 3 Multiplier: 10% (1.10x)
- Skill 4 Multiplier: 15% (1.15x)
- Skill 5 Multiplier: 30% (1.30x)
- Critical Hit Chance: 60%
- Critical Damage Bonus: 110%
- Calculation:
- Raw Damage = 150 * 1.10 * 1.10 * 1.15 * 1.30 = 271.22
- Average Damage = 271.22 * (1 + (60 / 100) * (110 / 100)) = 271.22 * (1 + 0.66) = 450.23
- Result: The average total damage is approximately 450 points, heavily boosted by frequent, powerful criticals.
How to Use This Skillchain Calculator
- Set Chain Length: Start by selecting the number of skills in your sequence using the “Number of Skills in Chain” dropdown. The input fields will update automatically.
- Enter Base Damage: Input the initial damage of the first skill in your rotation. This is your starting value.
- Input Multipliers: For each subsequent skill, enter its damage multiplier as a percentage. For example, a skill that increases damage by 25% should be entered as `25`.
- Add Critical Stats: Enter your character’s Critical Hit Chance and Critical Damage Bonus percentages.
- Analyze Results: The calculator instantly updates the “Average Total Damage”, “Raw Chain Damage”, and other intermediate values.
- Review Chart and Table: Use the dynamic bar chart and progression table to visualize how your damage grows with each step and understand the impact of each skill in the chain. Expert players often consult a character stat optimizer to fine-tune these inputs.
Key Factors That Affect Skillchain Damage
- Skill Order: Placing skills with the highest multipliers later in the chain often yields better results, as they multiply an already-inflated number.
- Base Damage: A higher starting damage increases the final output exponentially, as every multiplier acts upon it.
- Chain Length: Longer chains have higher damage potential but can be interrupted or harder to execute.
- Critical Hit Investment: Beyond a certain point, investing in critical stats can provide a better return than just increasing base damage. Our RPG damage guide covers this balance.
- Game-Specific Buffs: External factors like party member buffs, item procs, or enemy debuffs (e.g., lowered defense) can act as additional multipliers.
- Execution Speed (Haste): While not directly a damage multiplier, the ability to execute the chain faster increases your overall DPS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a multiplier and a percentage increase?
They are two ways of saying the same thing. A skill that “increases damage by 30%” has a multiplier of 1.30. Our calculator uses percentages for easier input (you just enter ’30’).
Why is the result called “average” damage?
Because critical hits are based on probability, you won’t get the same exact damage every time. The calculator provides the statistically average outcome over many attempts, which is the most reliable measure of a build’s effectiveness. For a different take, you can try a RNG simulator.
Does this calculator account for enemy armor or resistances?
No, this tool calculates your character’s raw output. To find your actual damage against a specific enemy, you would typically apply their damage reduction formula to the final result shown here.
What’s a good “Effective Multiplier” to aim for?
This is highly game-dependent, but generally, an effective multiplier of 2.0x (a 100% increase over your base skill) is a good starting goal for a short chain. Elite builds can reach 5.0x or more.
How do I handle skills that add a flat damage amount instead of a multiplier?
This calculator is designed for multiplicative chains. For additive damage, you would simply add the flat amount at the appropriate step, which requires a more complex, custom calculation.
Can I use this for healing skillchains?
Absolutely. Simply input your base healing amount as the “Base Skill Damage” and any healing multipliers. The result will be your total healing output.
Why did my damage go down when I added a skill?
This can happen if you enter a multiplier less than 0, which would represent a skill that reduces damage (a debuff or a weak utility skill). Ensure your multipliers are positive values.
How important is the first skill’s damage?
It’s critically important. Every subsequent multiplier in the chain amplifies this initial number. A small increase in base damage can lead to a massive increase in the final output.