Harm vs Magic Arrow Test & Results

[Melkor]

I did some testing with Magic Arrow (fire damage) and Harm (cold damage) on a Personal Trainer, Slaarion, Lady Mel and the Gauntlet Monsters. I recorded their relevant resists and the damage spread I was getting. I realize there is a semi-near range for Harm as well, but I didn’t record it. I had 260% SDI increase and I didn’t use any buffs of any kind.

I thought I’d post my results in case anyone is interested.

It seems it comes down to resists more than anything, which isn’t a surprise. However my results for Magic Arrow on Fleshrenderer don’t make sense, seems like they should be higher. I’ll test that again next time I’m in the Gauntlet.


Personal Trainer (resists unknown, however I suspect he has no resists)

Fire ??
Cold ??

Harm Far 17-21
Harm Close 72-84

Magic Arrow 46-53

Slaarion

Fire 86
Cold 56

Harm Far 7-9
Harm Close 30-36

Magic Arrow 5-7

Lady Melisande

Fire 43
Cold 59

Harm Far 7-9
Harm Close 28-32

Magic Arrow 23-27


Farthak

Fire 60
Cold 100


Harm Far 1
Harm Close 1

Magic arrow 17-19

Fleshrenderer

Fire 51
Cold 59

Harm far 7-8
Harm close 28-34

Magic arrow 8-9

Flandrith

Fire 60
Cold 75

Harm far 4-5
Harm close 17-21

Magic arrow 18-21

Shadow Knight

Fire 65
Cold 75

Harm far 4-5
Harm close 17-21

Magic arrow 14-18

Abysmal horror

Fire 100
Cold 52

Harm far 8-10
Harm close 33-40

Magic arrow 1

Dark Father

Fire 30
Cold 30

Harm far ~10 (hard to tell because RPD with so many mobs attacking)
Harm close 50-56

Magic arrow 29-34

[EndeR]

Good info. Thanks. I would assume that is u casting the spell not wep hits right?

[Melkor]

Good info. Thanks. I would assume that is u casting the spell not wep hits right?

No that's weapon hits. Sorry I should have stated that.

[EndeR]

Ah ok so sdi increases weapon hits. Not sure i realized that.

[Melkor]

Yeah SDI is great. I compared these two because lightning and fireball on your weapon are a no brainer. When it comes to what's next, magic arrow or harm, its not as easy a choice to make.

Another thing to note Lightning is Energy, Fireball is fire, but so is Magic Arrow. Harm however is Cold.

[EndeR]

So it sounds like harm is the way to go especially for close range.

[venus]

Great Info.

But I think it's a no brainier with regard to damage. Harm will do more dmg than fireball (resists being equal). If you are using a melee weapon, harm is definitely the way to go, as harm does more dmg the closer you are to the target. But if you are using a bow, and you don't intend on tanking every monster, magic arrow is superior.

Also, because fireball is fire damage, i think it's better to diversify the damage, and get cold damage from harm.

[Melkor]

Great Info.

But I think it's a no brainier with regard to damage. Harm will do more dmg than fireball (resists being equal). If you are using a melee weapon, harm is definitely the way to go, as harm does more dmg the closer you are to the target. But if you are using a bow, and you don't intend on tanking every monster, magic arrow is superior.

Also, because fireball is fire damage, i think it's better to diversify the damage, and get cold damage from harm.

If its Melee weapon its a no brainer for sure. However some people like Harm on a bow over Magic Arrow. I was on the fence a bit so I did the testing. I'm leaning towards Harm even on the bow for, as you said the diversity of damage. Plus it seems 99% of the time I'm toe to toe anyways.