Damage calculator

[Holy_Diver]

Here you go. I copied the formula from the Excel. Now you can't ever say you had to do everything yourself.

Lets not be so bitter now.

Damage =
ROUNDDOWN
(IF(ATK<1,0,
IF(DEF<1,ATK+(STR/5),
IF(((((ATK+(STR/5))+DEF)/DEF-(DEF+DEF)/(ATK+(STR/5)))+1)*(ATK+(STR/5))/2<1,1,
[otherwise](((((ATK+(STR/5))+DEF)/DEF-(DEF+DEF)/(ATK+(STR/5)))+1)*(ATK+(STR/5))/2))))
,0) [round down end]

This is a lot to tease apart. Lets see...

IF(ATK<1) RETURN 0;

ELSE ATK = ATK+STR/5; IF(DEF<1) RETURN ATK;

RETURN (1+(ATK+DEF)/DEF-DEF*2/ATK)*ATK/2+1;

Does this look correct? Syntax aside. I am pretty sure that SOM rounds up if non-zero. I just stuck +1 on the end to guarantee damage. I actually think damage should be rounded down to zero, but that's another story.

Did you use an exponential function to generate this? I expected something that would convert to some number between 0 and 1 and probably do a simple square operation to yield the exponential curve.

The simple take away is you seem to get a full point bonus for every 5 strength. If you can confirm for me this simplification is correct (parenthesis overload) I intend to take a second look and see if it can't be better expressed in terms of ratios. How certain are we that this will always produce the same results in game?

MAG would be substituted for ATK for Magic damage types. Now aren't you glad you asked?

It's all in a days work. Dealing with unsavory characters is what I do

But are you positive that Magic is used for the magical affinities? It seems like it would make more sense if Strength was for weapons, and Magic was for magic missiles.

Personally, I wouldn't "bake in" any damage formula. I would set up a simple default formula which is loaded from an external configuration text document. Thus letting users insert their own formula if they want.

That is the idea, since its a formula after all. But some kinds of operations can be a bit much to express in simple calculator like syntax. Once you get to the formula part it should be like defining a simple kernel with just ATK and DEF as inputs.


EDITED: It looks to me like this function can only decrease the damage. So its not obvious how you could end up doing one hit kills unless the attack power exceeds the monster's HP in the first place. In other words, aside from the linear Strength/Magic bonus, the function appears to just be modeling defensive armor.