Gem Upgrades or Semi-Soft Stat Caps- ARCHIVE

[Bj_Knows]

Subject:
Gem Upgrades or Semi-Soft Stat Caps (Strategy, Data, Posts 1- 9)


Archived for Research (80Archive)

This is for v1.4. Left for Research purposes only 

Overview:
What are Stat Caps? What is a Semi-Soft Stat Cap? What is a Stat’s “Best Buy Portion”? What is a Stat’s “Beginner’s Portion”?
 
When deciding between two augment gems to upgrade, select the Stat not yet at its Semi-Soft Stat Cap. Especially at Level 25.
 
Version 1.4:
Haste has a -40% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,136 points.
Magic has a +225 Bonus Damage Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,127 points.
Crit has a 40% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,103 points. Crit starts at 5% with zero points.
Crit Power has a 250% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 945 points. Crit Power starts at 150% with zero points.
Melee has a +225 Bonus Damage Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,127 points.
Dodge has a 40% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,103 points. Dodge starts at 5% with zero points.
 
v1.4 Armor, Physical Resist & Magic Resist are still being Researched.

Tags: AdvancedFAQ, BasicFAQ, SoldierValorGear, KnightValorGear, GoldShieldGear

[Bj_Knows]

This is background. Experienced players can skip to the next post.
 
Background: Going Up Levels and Tier 9 Items
The amount of points needed in a Stat for Y% or Y Bonus Damage goes up every time you go up a level. To get the same Y at a higher level, you need to upgrade Tier Items, Augment Gems and Tomes/ Hero Training. Ex: Haste -40% requires fewer points at Level 10, but requires approximately 1,136 points at Level 25.
 
This is why buying Tier 9 Items at Level 10 gives you such a huge advantage. Tier 9 Items, and Tier 3 Gems, are designed for Level 25 characters and Fellmarsh.  The same points in a stat, the same Damage Per Second the same Armor Rating used against a Level 10 monster is devastating, as CJ can testify. If you are Level 10, and enjoying the game, seriously consider buying the Tier 9 Armor Bundle (20% off and very good Armor Rating). If you really like the game consider buying all Tier 9 Items.
 
Background: Tier 3 Gems
If have at least one Level 25 character, and you are starting a second character, and plan on buying any Tier 3 Gems with Gold Shields, buy them as soon as possible to get maximum affect and maximum enjoyment from your purchase. For an early Christmas present, I bought CJ some Tier 3 Gems for her starting War Mage. Most effective with Tier 6/9 Items, but works with any Tier Item.
 
Background: Soft & Hard Caps
A Soft Stat Cap is the maximum a character can get from Tier items, Gems & Tomes. Ex: Dodge Rating has a Soft Cap of 50%. Even if you get all Tier 11 Items and 20 Tier 4 Dodge Gems and Maximum Dodge Tome, you cannot exceed Dodge 50%. Soft Caps are Crit and Dodge.
 
A Hard Stat Cap is the maximum a character can get from everything (Tier items, Gems, Tomes, Abilities, Blessings, Favors, etc.). Ex: Dodge Rating has a Hard Cap of 75%. If you have 40% Dodge and your Shadow Walker uses Shadow Stalker rank 3 (+50% Dodge), you do not get 90% Dodge, instead you get 75% Dodge.
 
(  viewtopic.php?f=6&t=140 )
“-
[quote=admin]
Are there stat caps in the game?
Yes, there are both hard and soft stat caps in game. A soft cap is the limit that you can boost a stat without buffs. The hard cap is the highest as stat can be. Even with buffs, you cannot go over the hard cap. The in game stat caps are: 

1) Crit – soft cap: 50% Hard cap 100%

2) Crit Power – 300% Hard cap

3) Dodge – soft cap: 50% Hard cap 75%

4) Haste – 50% Hard cap

5) Physical resist-50% Hard cap

6) Magic Resist – 50% Hard cap

7) Armor – 40% hard cap**

**This is added to the magic and physical resist for a total of 90%
[/quote]
-“
 
Background: Stat Caps and Shadow Walkers
Why Soft Stat Caps and not just Hard Stat Caps? Originally Book of Heroes had only Hard Caps with Crit 50% and Dodge 50%. Shadow Walkers have two abilities, Vanish rank 3 (+50% Crit & +50% Crit Power) and Shadow Stalker rank 3 (+50% Dodge), that bumped up against these Stat Caps. If you spent real world money and bought Tier 3 Crit Gems and Tier 3 Dodge Gems, all the money you spent gave you +0 Crit and +0 Dodge as soon as you used these two abilities. With the current system of Soft Stat Caps, all three classes have a Soft Stat Cap of 50% Crit and 50% Dodge, but the Hard Stat Cap of 100% Crit and 75% Dodge lets Shadow Walkers use these two abilities and still get benefits from Gold Shields spend on Crit and Dodge Gems.

[Bj_Knows]

Body:
Semi-Soft Stat Cap
When you first add points to a Stat, every time you double your points the percentage doubles as long as you stay the same Level. Ex: 200 points in Haste will give you twice the percentage as 100 points in Haste. Ex: At level 25, 448 points in Haste gives you -15.8% (28.35 points for each -1%) while 804 points in Haste gives you -28.35% (28.35 points for each -1%). We shall call this the a Stat’s “Best Buy Portion” (or the “Beginner’s Portion” or a Linear Equation). Every +1% or -1% or +1 Bonus Damage costs you X points based on your character’s Level. With X getting larger every time you go up a level.
 
Once you hit the Semi-Soft Stat Cap, for your current Level, doubling your points does not double your effectiveness. Ex: At Level 25, 804 points in Haste gives you -28.35% (28.35 points for each -1%). 1,624 points does not give you -56.7% instead you get -42.16% (38.52 points for each -1%). Somewhere between 804 points and 1,624 you hit the Semi-Soft Stat Cap. Once you hit a Semi-Soft Stat Cap, you hit the “Expensive Portion” (or the “Expert’s Portion”). Every +1% or -1% or +1 Bonus Damage costs you more and more points, even if your character’s Level stays the same.
 
Haste has a Semi-Soft Stat Cap of -40.0%. At Level 25 this requires approximately 1,136 points. Anything less than -40.0% give you approximately -1% per 28.35 points. Anything more than the Semi-Soft Stat Cap gets increasingly more expensive. 1,192 points does not give you -42.05%, instead you get -40.25% (29.61 points for each -1%). 1,444 points does not give you -50.93%, instead you get -41.36 (34.91 points for each -1%). 1,624 points does not give you -57.28%, instead you get -42.16% (38.52 points for each -1%)
 
Upgrading Augment Gems
Upgrading an augment gem for a Stat that has not yet reached the Semi-Soft Stat Cap, will give you more combat effectiveness than upgrading one that is past the Semi-Soft Stat Cap. Ex: If you are trying to decide between upgrading a Crit or a Crit Power Gem, and your Crit is 30% (Semi-Soft Cap 40%) but your Crit Power is 280% (Semi-Soft Cap 250%), you will increase your Damage Per Second more by upgrading the Crit Gem. This is especially true when you reach the Level Cap (currently Level 25).
 
Game Results at Semi-Soft Caps
Semi-Soft Cap Haste -40%= ( action speed * 60% equals 166% actions per second )= +66 Damage Per Second. Researchers Note: v1.4 does not affect ability cool down.
 
Semi-Soft Cap Crit 40% & Crit Power 250%= ( 100% * 60% + 250% * 40% ) -100% = +60% Average Damage Per Second.
 
Semi-Soft Cap Haste -40%, Crit 40% & Crit Power 250%=
160% * 166% = 265% -100% = +165% Average Damage Per Second.
 
At Level 25, Haste -40% (approximately 1136 points), Crit 40% (approximately 1103 points) & Crit Power 250% (approximately 945 points) = approximately 3,184 points.
 
At Level 25, Hast -40% (approximately 1136 points), Crit 40% (approximately 1103 points) & Crit Power 250% (approximately 945 points), Magic +225 Bonus Damage (approximately 1127 points in v1.4), Melee +225 Bonus Damage (approximately 1127 points in v1.4)  = approximately 5,438 points.
 
Known Caps
Stat, Semi-Soft Cap, Soft Cap, Hard Cap
Armor unknown, n/a, 40%
Crit 40%, 50%, 100%
Crit Power 250%, n/a, 300%
Dodge 40%, 50%, 75%
Haste, -40%, n/a, -50%
Magic +225 Bonus Damage, n/a, n/a
Magic Resist unknown, n/a, 50%
Melee +225 Bonus Damage, n/a, n/a
Physical Resist unknown, n/a, 50%

[Bj_Knows]

Overiew:
Haste has a -40% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,136 points.
 
Raw Data:
 
Level 25 Haste Rating
104 points for -3.66%= 28.41 points per -1%
464 points for -16.36%= 28.36 points per -1%
804 points for -28.35%= 28.36 points per -1%
1,084 points for -38.23%= 28.36 points per -1%
1,136 points for -40%= 28.4 points per -1%
 
Semi-Soft Cap Haste= -40%
 
1,192 points for -40.25%= 29.61 points per -1%
1,284 points for -40.66%= 31.58 points per -1%
1,444 points for -41.36%= 34.92 points per -1%
1,624 points for -42.16%= 38.52 points per -1%

[Bj_Knows]

Overiew:
v1.4 Magic & Melee Semi-Soft Cap approximately 1127 points or +225 Bonus Damage.
 
Research Note: This is a change from v1.3 were 1127 points gave a +180 Bonus Damage.
 
Raw Data:
Level 25 Magic/ Melee Rating
772 points for +154 Bonus= 5.01 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1012 points for +202 Bonus = 5.01 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1062 points for +212 Bonus = 5.01 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1128 points for +225 Bonus = 5.01 points per +1 Bonus Damage
 
Semi-Soft Cap (Magic/ Melee)= +225 Bonus Damage
 
1146 points for +227 Bonus= 5.04 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1260 points for +231 Bonus= 5.45 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1302 points for +233 Bonus= 5.88 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1432 points for +238 Bonus= 6.02 points per +1 Bonus Damage
1542 points for +243 Bonus= 6.35 points per +1 Bonus Damage

[Bj_Knows]

 
Overiew:
Crit starts at 5% with zero points. Semi-Soft Stat Cap is Total Crit Rating 40%, Actual 35% [40% Total -5% Starting]. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,103 points.
 
Raw Data:
Level 25 Crit Rating (Total includes 5% for zero points)
368 points for Actual 11.68% (Total 16.68%)= 31.51 points per 1% Actual
728 points for Actual 23.10% (Total 28.10%)= 31.51 points per 1% Actual
908 points for Actual 28.82% (Total 33.82%)= 31.5 points per 1% Actual.
 
Semi-Soft Cap Crit= 35% Actual (Total 40%)
 
1,304 points for Actual 36.67% (Total 41.67%)= 35.56 points per 1% Actual

[Bj_Knows]

Overiew:
Crit Power starts at 150% with zero points. Semi-Soft Stat Cap is Total Crit Power Rating 250%, Actual 100% [250% Total - 150% Starting]. At Level 25 this is approximately 945 points.
 
Raw Data:
Level 25 Crit Power Rating (Total includes 150% for zero points)
248 points for Actual 26.23% (Total 176.23%)= 9.45 points per 1% Actual
368 points for Actual 38.94% (Total 188.94%)= 9.45 points per 1% Actual
488 points for Actual 51.63% (Total 201.63%)= 9.45 points per 1% Actual
668 points for Actual 70.68% (Total 220.68%)= 9.45 points per 1% Actual
 
Semi-Soft Cap Crit Power= 100% Actual (Total 250%)
 
1,148 points for Actual 120.18% (Total 270.18%)= 9.55 points per 1% Actual
1,388 points for Actual 123.34% (Total 273.34%)= 11.25 points per 1% Actual
1,868 points for Actual 129.70% (Total 279.70%)= 14.40 points per 1% Actual
2,084 points for Actual 132.55% (Total 282.55%)= 15.72 points per 1% Actual

[Bj_Knows]

 
Overiew:
Dodge starts at 5% with zero points. Semi-Soft Stat Cap is Total Dodge Rating 40%, Actual 35% [40% Total -5% Starting]. At Level 25 this is approximately 1,103 points.
 
Raw Data:
Level 25 Dodge Rating (Total includes 5% for zero points)
 
160 points for Actual 5.07% (Total 10.07% )= 31.56 points per 1% Actual
400 points for Actual 12.69% (Total 17.69% )= 31.52 points per 1% Actual
880 points for Actual 27.93% (Total 32.93% )= 31.51 points per 1% Actual
960 points for Actual 30.47% (Total 35.47%)= 31.51 points per 1% Actual
1,040 points for Actual 33.01% (Total 38.01%)= 31.50 points per 1% Actual
 
Semi-Soft Cap Dodge= 35% Actual (Total 40%)
 
1,120 points for Actual 35.55% (Total 40.55%)= 31.50 points per 1% Actual
1,360 points for Actual 36.89% (Total 41.89%)= 36.87 points per 1% Actual
1,520 points for Actual 37.53% (Total 42.53%)= 40.5 points per 1% Actual

[Bj_Knows]

MY PERSONAL OPINION
I love the version 1.4, Haste -40% Semi-Soft Stat Cap. It solves almost all the problems with v1.0 to v1.2 Haste.
I love the version 1.4, Crit Power 250% Semi-Soft Stat Cap (and the Crit 100% Hard Stat Cap). It solves almost all the problems with v1.2 Crit Power.
I love the version 1.4, Magic/ Melee +225 Bonus Damage Semi-Soft Stat Cap. I makes fast combat time abilities like Justicar’s Radiant Light and Shadow Walker’s Reflexive Strike worth using on a regular basis.
 
Since there is already a Blessing for Haste, Magic & Melee, Physical Resist & Magic Resist; it would be cool if there was a Blessing for Crit and Crit Power. This would be especially useful with Runes during Onslaught Raids.

[Aryantes]

This is a fantastic thread thank you.

Are any of the actual formulas known once you get past the semi soft caps? I suppose with enough data we could calculate the regressions.

It would be cool to make a character builder.

EDIT - Put some effort in and came up with some good information that I am 'pretty sure' is correct. The game does do some rounding so the decimals may or may not be exact. Like, off by 0.01% sometimes.

After some playing around in Excel and the help of my TI-82, I've found that Venan has left us a few magic numbers regarding the cap numbers.


1134 points total gets you to exactly the soft cap
3400 points total gets you to exactly the hard cap


It seems to be the same for each stat, but I don't have enough info on the upper end near the max hard cap to verify everything.

The equality seems to make sense since all gems give the same amount of points, regardless of category.

so, if you take Haste for example, 1134 points gets you to 40% which equals 28.35 points for 1%
The NEXT 2266 points will get you from 40-50% which equals 226.6 points for 1%



Soft cap and Hard cap values

Code: Select all


                -   Soft Cap   -   Hard Cap   -   Base  -  Hard Cap Difference
Melee           -      226.8
Magic           -      226.8 
Crit            -        41%   -        50%   -     5%  -       9%
Crit Power      -       270%   -       300%   -   150%  -      30% 
Physical Resist -        40%   -        50%             -      10%
Magic Resist    -        40%   -        50%             -      10%
Haste           -        40%   -        50%             -      10%
Dodge           -        41%   -        50%   -     5%  -       9%

 

Points per 1% before and after soft cap

Code: Select all


                -     Before   -      After
Melee           -          5   -         25
Magic           -          5   -         25
Crit            -       31.5   -        251.77
Crit Power      -        9.45  -         75.53
Physical Resist -       28.35  -        226.6
Magic Resist    -       28.35  -        226.6
Haste           -       28.35  -        226.6
Dodge           -       31.5   -        251.77
Armor **        -       35.45  -          


**Armor - don't have proper values for this one, but before the cap, it takes ~35.4545 points per 1%
(195/5.5 is the prettiest calculation i found in my data)

Maybe someone with T10/T11 armor can see if there is a soft cap or not. I would imagine it does not scale the same as gems.

Hope that helps!