Posted by The Arcane(VIP) on December 23, 1999 at 21:10:12:
In Reply to: stats and stuffs posted by A kinda new guy on December 23, 1999 at 19:36:46:
Armor class is very important at very low levels here, and irrelevant beyond that.
Here's an explanation of how combat works, based on my observations.. of course, someone could probably glance at stock ROM code and give definite information...
This applies for all normal attacks...
First, special defensive skills (spin/distance) are checked, if relevant.
If that fails or doesn't apply, then parry is checked.
If that fails or doesn't apply, then shield block is checked.
If that fails or doesn't apply, then dodge is checked.
If all of the above have failed, then there's a random roll heavily influenced by the attacker's hitroll vs. the defender's armor class. Unless hitroll is *VERY* low, no feasible amount of armor class will help. However, low-level mobs have next to no hitroll, so a good armor class will make it so they always "miss" you. This is why a lowbie without any defensive skills, but a "divinely" AC can tank... no parries or dodges, just all misses.
If the blow hits, then damage is calculated, including enhanced damage, vulnerabilities, resistances, position modifiers, and so forth.
And that's your damage done.
At any level beyond 15 or 20 for very high ACs, what determines your ability to tank is going to be your defensive skills, how many you have, and what % they are at (and modifiers such as haste, slowed mob, etc.)