Dragon Tail?

[Vang]

Dragon Tail?

Few questions and clarifications:

I understand the Kick damage, but my actual weapon damage doesn't get added or the ED% on the weapon: So Steelrends work well here

How about +ed% vs Demon/Undead, as on Nats Claw? Will that transfer over to the kick? Or is that calculated as +ed% on weapon?

Claw mastery doesn't help when a claw is equipped does it?

The exploding damage two questions:

Venom just adds to the initial target correct?

Dragon Tail is essential gimped against Fire/Physical immunes, thus needing a third element attack in order to take them out.

In summary, basically using just Dragon Tail and not TS will result in a very low damage number, from what I see won't even break 1k without massive +skills from equipment.

 

[Quietus]

Few questions and clarifications:

I understand the Kick damage, but my actual weapon damage doesn't get added or the ED% on the weapon: So Steelrends work well here

The ed from steelrends will work, as will the +str. If you're using Tiger Strike however, the difference steelrends makes will be negligible.

How about +ed% vs Demon/Undead, as on Nats Claw? Will that transfer over to the kick? Or is that calculated as +ed% on weapon?

Since that ED is on the weapon (in the case of nat's claw), it's considered on-weapon ed%. However, in the case of CoH (200% damage to demons, 100% damage to undead), these will work fine, as will Fortitude. However, it's again worth noting, tiger strike makes any other form of ed% pretty much useless.

Claw mastery doesn't help when a claw is equipped does it?

If memory serves, it will show a difference on the character screen, but it doesn't actually work with kicks. I'd get someone else on these forums to verify this though.

The exploding damage two questions:

Venom just adds to the initial target correct?

Correct. Only the target you kick is venom'ed.

Dragon Tail is essential gimped against Fire/Physical immunes, thus needing a third element attack in order to take them out.

Correct. Furthermore, your fire damage dealt is based on your physical damage dealt. Meaning, if you hit a physical immune with your dragon tail, it does zero damage to the physical immune, then you deal 530% or whatever of that in additional fire damage. 530% of 0 damage is still 0 damage. Releasing Dragon Tail on a physical immune will cause you to do no damage, though you will still see the explosion on-screen.

In summary, basically using just Dragon Tail and not TS will result in a very low damage number, from what I see won't even break 1k without massive +skills from equipment.

It will result in a much lower damage number. You should break 1k with a decent amount of +skills, but when you add Tiger Strike we're looking at over 3,000!!!!! enhanced damage. This enhanced your kick, and the fire damage dealt is based on the FINAL kick damage - meaning the fire damage dealt is calculated after applying near/over 3,000 enhanced damage to your kick. This means a LOT more damage in the end.

 

[HappyAssassin]

Mostly what Quitetus said, consider hotkeying Dragon Claw or regualr attack for when you come up against fire/ phys immunes.

 

[Vang]

Thanks for the information everyone, it was helpful, I have +17skills from equipment and charms(probably going to stay at around 15 though) so I am dealing a nice 24-35kish damage on release. Around 4k on max end without any TS.

One more question regarding this:

If the physical damage dealt is multiplied, amp damage, would amplify the damage correct, or would Lower Resist be the better route?

Edit: Currently in NM, about to go to hell. I used a Medusa's Gaze for the LR on one run, it didn't trigger to often simply because I wasn't getting hit, due to my HF merc. When it finally trigger, Lister and company all went down in two kicks each. Baal took a few to trigger it but once I triggered, took about half the time it normally did.

My next run I popped back on the Jade Talon and an Atmas Scarab(over Maras) Amplify damage triggers quite often enough, and while Lister and Company took a little while longer, Baal on the other hand didn't. Now, I believe I might stick with Atma's Scarab, as it opens other options for my Merc(even though I hate relying on them this much) with a Reapers Troll. The other benefit is I'm able to cast CoS more often, as with the LR is triggered through being hit, I was hesitant to use it. Atma's final benefit is the ability to remove physical immunity. That in itself is a fine thing. But once I get to hell I'll figure out the really keeper of them. If I can break lister and companies immunity on Hell(I don't believe I can) the Gaze may work better. If not, time to get myself a +2skills/fools/amp damage claw with some IAS or 2sockets.

 

[ilkori]

It depends entirely on the enemy resists for which would work better. In general I would guess that Amp would work better on anything that was not Fire Immune.

 

[Vang]

Well I'll update this incase anyone was wondering. Amplify Damage is much better than the lower resist. Other than the fact that it'll activate much more times is really just a bonus to Amplify.

The fire immunes are still killable with DragonTail, you deal enough damage just kicking with Tigerstrike that once one or two hit the floor Death Sentry mops up. Physical immunes on the other hand are a pita. You need to get rid of that, otherwise its hurts, I really noticed this in areas like Maggot Lair when it wouldn't activate and nothing else was around to bust it up with fire.

Now to get that Fools/+2assassin(or martial)/amp damage/ignore targets defense/prevent monster heal claw, on a Talon claw.

 

[jox]

Well I'll update this incase anyone was wondering. Amplify Damage is much better than the lower resist. Other than the fact that it'll activate much more times is really just a bonus to Amplify.

The fire immunes are still killable with DragonTail, you deal enough damage just kicking with Tigerstrike that once one or two hit the floor Death Sentry mops up. Physical immunes on the other hand are a pita. You need to get rid of that, otherwise its hurts, I really noticed this in areas like Maggot Lair when it wouldn't activate and nothing else was around to bust it up with fire.

Now to get that Fools/+2assassin(or martial)/amp damage/ignore targets defense/prevent monster heal claw, on a Talon claw.

Try switching your dual claws to an etheral lacerator and strom shield and have your might merc use an infinity. This should solve both physical immune and fire immune problem.