Breaking Down the DPS formula (PVP version)
DPS = (({[BWD * (1+WD%) * (1+WIQ)] + WD} * (1 + ED%)) + ED)*AS
It is easier to simplify the formula if you substitute variables.
Let A = BWD = Base Weapon Damage
B = 1+WD% = Weapon Damage %
C = 1+WIQ = Weapon Item Quality
D = WD = Weapon Damage +
E = 1+ED% = Elemental Damage %
F = ED = Elemental Damage +
G = AS = Attack Speed
Now the formula becomes much simpler to analyze
DPS = {[(ABC + D) * E] + F} * G
DPS = {[ABCE + DE] + F} * G
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
The first thing we need to consider is that BWD gets scaled down in PVP.
BWD = Weapon Base Damage + Power Damage
Weapon Base Damage can range from 24-75 depending on the weapon being used.
Now let’s consider Power Damage.
For PVE, Power can go up to 299 thus giving you a max of 7475. However, in PVP you are scaled down to level 20. Say you distributed your stat points like this.
PVE:Points to Invest = 294
Power 299 = 294 points invested = 294/294 = 100% of points distributed into power
Health 5 = 0 points invested = 0%
Mana 5 = 0 poins invested = 0%
Translated stat for PVP
PVP: Points to Invest = 19*3 = 57
Power 5 + 57(100%) = 5 + 57 = 67
Health 5 + 57(0%) = 5
Mana 5 + 57(0%) = 5
Max Power Damage = 6725 = 1675
Least Power Damage = 525 = 125
WD vs WD%
100 WD% gets scaled down to 24%.
5000 WD gets scaled down to 1040
DPS = {[(ABC + D) * E] + F} * G
If we just isolate the block that concerns our question, then it will be just
ABC vs D
I really don’t know if WIQ gets scaled down or not so let’s just assume that it doesn’t to tip things in favor of WD%
(A)(1+24%)(1+25%) vs 1040
A (1.55) vs 1040
A = 670.96
If A > 670.96, WD% beats WD.
If A < 670.96, WD beats WD%
To make this post shorter than it has to be, let’s not consider Weapon Base Damage
A = Power Damage
670.96 = Power(25)
Power = 26.84 rounded up to 27 (this will be our baseline for scaled power)
27 - 5 = 22 (we subtract 5 to get the distributed stat points )
22/57 = 38.6% (this is the stat distribution percentage. we need this in order to translate the scaled stat into your real stat)
294 * 38.6% = 113.484 rounded up to 114
114+5 = 119
Therefore, if your power is 119 and above, WD% beats WD.
WD vs ED on weapon
This is still a no-brainer even with the scaled down stats.
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
Since D gets multiplied by E while F doesn’t…
As long as you have ED% on your gear, WD beats ED. If you don’t have ED%, WD and ED have the same effect.
WD% vs ED% on weapon.
There is no weapon with both legend WD% and ED%, so which is the best way to maximize your damage?
The first thing to consider is WD% only affects the weapon it is on. ED%, on the other hand is available on all slots now. This means that we have some options:
For control, let
WIQ = 25%
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
Now let’s get how many ED% affixes one should have on other gears to make ED% have the same effect with WD% on weapon
If we have X as the number of ED% affixes one can get on other gears, then X+1 is the number of affixes one can get if he chose ED% on weapon over WD%
Part 1: Assuming WD = 0
Scenario 1 We use WD% on weapon instead of ED%
1 24% WD% affix and X 24% ED% affixes
ABCE = A(1+24%)(1+25%)(1 + X*24%)
= A(1.24)(1.25)(1 + 0.24X)
= A(1.55)(1 + 0.24X)
= A(1.55 + 0.372X)
Scenario 2 We use ED% on weapon instead of WD%
ABCE = A(1+0%)(1+25%)[1 + (X+1)(24%)]
= A(1)(1.25)[1 + (0.24X + 0.24)]
= A(1.25)[1.24 + 0.24X]
= A(1.55 + 0.3X)
Notice that if X = 0
Scenario 1 will be 1.55A
Scenario 2 will also be 1.55A
Therefore, if you have no other gears with ED% affixes and no WD, ED% = WD%
Notice also that as long is X is greater than 0, Scenario 1 beats Scenario 2
Therefore, you should always choose WD% over ED% on your weapon if you have no WD. This will give you more flexibility with your build should you decide to get ED% on your other equipment.
Part 2: Assuming WD = 1040
Scenario 3 We use WD% on weapon instead of ED%
1 24% WD% affix and X 24% ED% affixes
ABCE + DE = A(1+24%)(1+25%)(1 + X24%) + 1040(1+X24%)
= A(1.24)(1.25)(1 + 0.24X) + 1040(1 + 0.24X)
= A(1.55)(1 + 0.24X) + 1040 + 249.6X
= 1.55A + 0.24XA + 1040 + 249.6X
Scenario 4 We use ED% on weapon instead of WD%
ABCE + DE = A(1+0%)(1+25%)[1 + (X+1)(24%)] + 1040[1 + (X+1)(24%)]
= A(1)(1.25)[1 + 0.24X + 0.24] + 1040[1 + 0.24X + 0.24]
= A(1.25)[1.24 + 0.24X] + 1040[1.24 + 0.24X]
= 1.55A + 0.3XA + 1289.6 + 249.6X
If X = 0
Scenario 3
ABCE + DE = 1.55A + 0.24XA + 1040 + 249.6X
= 1.55A + 0 + 1040 + 0
= 1.55A + 1040
Scenario 4
ABCE + DE = 1.55A + 0.3XA + 1289.6 + 249.6X
= 1.55A + 0 + 1289.6 + 0
= 1.55A + 1289.6
Therefore, if you have WD, and no ED% affixes on your other gear, choose ED% on your weapon
If X = 1
Scenario 3
ABCE + DE = 1.55A + 0.24XA + 1040 + 249.6X
= 1.55A + 0.24A + 1040 + 249.6
= 1.79A + 1289.6
Scenario 4
ABCE + DE = 1.55A + 0.3XA + 1289.6 + 249.6X
= 1.55A + 0.3A + 1289.6 + 249.6
= 1.85A + 1539.2
Notice that as long as A is not negative, Scenario 4 beats Scenario 3.
Notice also that as X increases, Scenario 4’s lead increases.
Therefore, if you have WD on weapon, and have at least 1 ED% affix on your other gear, choose WD% on your weapon
Where’s ED?
ED is no longer the weak affix if considered in PVP. Why?
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
I’ll just make a rough estimate to shorten a potentially very long explanation
Let’s just say your power and all your item affixes gets reduced to 1/5
of their original value. The formula will then be a lot different.
If a=A/5, b=B/5, e=E/5, d=D/5, f=F/5
then abce will have a value of ABCE/125
de will have a value of DE/25
f will have value of F/5
As clearly seen here, PVP scaling has a lot more effect on % affixes as compared to flat + affixes.
The problem is there is no short way to decide whether to use ED or not. It will be a case to case basis depending on the WHOLE of your build.
