Is lightning damage better than physical ?

[Sareth]

Hello,

I've been paying this for a pretty long time when it've been in early access (till warden krieg).

I'm currently playing a shaman, lvl 77 in ultimate, just made it through warden krieg. Easy peasy. All solo yet. Is it better to focus on physical damage or go for lightning dmg as a soldier/shaman ?

[Anathema]

It is completely possible to make either work well. What do you want to focus on?

[Rylocke]

I've found that lightning Warders tend to deal more AoE damage, and physical builds end up being better boss killers. However, each can perform the other function well enough to not be a hindrance, so Anathema is right on target with "either."

[kekkuli]

I would say physical. It's easier to gear, and physical is single strongest damage type in game because nothing resists too much. I think lighting build using primal strike is more gear dependant than physical build using cadence.

[Finnvbot]

Valdaran says "hi!" to lightning builds...

Like kekkuli said, lightning builds are a little more gear-dependent but have more AoE. Warder with Stormcaller's Pact has some pretty sweet crit potential while Primal Bond gives damage absorption. You can also go physical/bleed, it's a solid option against non-Undead enemies. All in all, you can make both of the builds work on Ultimate no problem. Just make sure to get Rhowan's Crown and Viper constellations for any elemental build and you should be sorted.

[Sareth]

I'm currently testing out the physical focus. IIt is performing a little better than lightning. I feel more tanky, since i dont need to push in too many points on the skills.
I wonder if the damage transforming takes the raw physical dmg (so without any buffs) hard buffs only(so by equipment) or even dmg from buffs from "standardattacks". Its hard to figure out, since i would need to alter the whole equipment from me.

I think i'll run physical, it is working best. Trash mobs are no problem, even got a crowdcontrol with my relic.

I just was thinking about lightning, 'cause it appeared to be a good resistance to crush through, since in most games its a element which exploits the most weaknesses. At least in my opinion.

I dont have all shrines yet but i'll get orleon as soon as i can.

Thanks for your answers.

Edit:

Is there a database with all resistances of the monsters yet ?

[Rylocke]

Originally posted by Hexer:

I wonder if the damage transforming takes the raw physical dmg (so without any buffs) hard buffs only(so by equipment) or even dmg from buffs from "standardattacks". Its hard to figure out, since i would need to alter the whole equipment from me.

What do you mean here?

Originally posted by Hexer:

Is there a database with all resistances of the monsters yet ?

Yes, there have been multiple for a while now.
https://grimcalc.com/Monsters
https://grimdawn.gamepedia.com/Creatures

[Sareth]

I meant the raw physical damage (without additional physical percentage).. So, the actual (as example 25% lightning dmg). You would just transform the raw physical damage which would be like 300-300 from the weapon used That would be 75 lightning damage. Or would it be 300+700% phys multiplicator=2100 then it'd be like 525 lightning damage transformed from the physical damage.

Sorry if this appears so confusing, i'm not a native english speaker.

So, if you use a skill like savagery, would the additional damage from it also be transformed ?

[Rylocke]

Oh, I understand. The damage conversion hapens before the bonus damage. So in your 300 damage example, it would become 225 physical and 75 lightning. Then your bonuses would apply after, so 700% bonus physical would make the 225 into 1800 physical (it's x8 not x7).

Edit: The exception is damage bonuses on silks. So Savagery would use all of the skill bonuses to increase damage, then convert some to lightning, then use bonus damage.

http://www.grimdawn.com/guide/gameplay/combat.php#q20

[Matthew]

I dunno that is a tough comparison.

On the one hand you can smash the ground with a 2-hander and do massive AoE physical damage. On the other, you can call down lightning onto packs of enemies. Both are pretty badass in their own right.

Both are viable (phys/bleed or primal strike warders) so just pick whichever one you want.

[km_md60]

I think physical damage are easier to build due to soldier mastery offers both physical damage and physical resist reduction, an all-in-one package. Lightning resist reduction requires wind devil (with its AI), Curse of fraility, Elemental strom, or Arcane bomb. Devotion-based reduction require good base skill to activate.

Gearing is a on par with Legion offering physical and Kymon offering lightning. Self found build are not particularly difficult due to these faction items.

AOE wise, lightning has slightly better choices with Primal strike and Strom totem. Physical damage AOE mainly comes from devotion (hawk, bull, dire bear, and other shield-based proc) and Blitz-blindside.

The thing with lightning is offensive devotion like tempest is crit-based forcing you to gather high OA to proc and Spear of heaven is a point hog.