I have a question regarding ESO skill reverse slash.
In the skill description it says: "Gives up to 300% more damage against enemies under 50%". The thing is, how is that up to computed? Is it random?
I tested against some random npcs (hit them with the skill while under 50%). My base damage on skill is 2988 dmg (let's round to 3k). So 300% more dmg would be 3k + 3*3k = 12k. Or if my interpretation on "more dmg" is wrong would be just 3*3k = 9k.
The damage I've done was something like 7k, 4k, 5k, 5k, etc. (averages at about 5.5k overall). Now… that seems way low than expected (even if I factor in armor). The other execution I use (nb – killers blade) seems to do way more damage and all reliable (no variations) – but… that's magical damage and it doesn't say "up to" in the description.
So… to sum up the question is: What is the real damage the skill does? How is that "up to" computed? Any1 else tested and got different results?
Best Answer
It's been my understanding that skills that deal "up to" X% damage when the target is below Y% health" work on a scaling principle. Reverse Slash is one of these skills, as described here (and sort-of corroborated here).
This means that if your target is at 50% health you get no bonus damage. At 25% health you get half of the bonus damage. The closer to 0% you get, the more of the bonus damage you get.
Contrast this with skills lacking the "up to" modifier, like Assassin's Blade. These are an all-or-nothing affair.