Damage reduction

In Guild Wars, damage reduction refers to any type of effect that reduces incoming damage. There are three methods for calculating the amount reduction:
 * Subtractive (or Absorption) reduces or prevents damage by a fixed amount.
 * Percentage (or Fixed Fraction) reduces damage by a percentage of the total incoming damage.
 * Threshold (or Damage Cappers) prevents the damage from exceeding a percentage of a certain threshold, almost always the target's health.
 * Preventive (or Blockers and Spell Protection) prevents an attack or skill from triggering.

Subtractive damage reduction
Subtractive damage reduction, also known as absorption, reduces or prevents damage by a fixed amount.

Subtractive damage reduction vs physical damage
The following reduce all incoming physical damage (unless noted):


 * Runes of Absorption: -1 (minor), -2 (major), -3 (superior) vs. physical damage; these do not stack.


 * Inscriptions for Shields and focus items:
 * "Run for your Life!": -1...2 while in a stance
 * "Sheltered by Faith!": -1...2 while under the effects of an enchantment
 * "Nothing to Fear": -1...3 while Hexed
 * "Luck of the Draw": -5 (11...20% chance)


 * Knight's Insignia: -3 (local protection only, i.e. to the specific area protected by the armor to which it is applied)

Subtractive damage reduction vs all damage
The following provide damage reduction vs. all damage
 * Skills
 * Binding Rituals
 * Enchantments
 * : redirects half of damage against target ally to the monk, redirected damage is then reduced
 * (elite): only vs. the next source of damage
 * (elite): also heals the target for health equal to the amount which damage is reduced by
 * : only vs. the next source of damage,
 * : only vs. the next source of damage, also heals the target for health equal to the amount which damage is reduced by
 * : only vs. the next source of damage
 * (elite)
 * : only while activating a Binding Ritual
 * : only from foes suffering from conditions
 * : only from foes with less health than you
 * Hexes
 * : only from attacks by affected foes
 * : only from attacks by the target foe
 * (elite): only from attacks by the target foe
 * Shouts
 * : only affects your animal companions
 * Stances
 * Skills
 * Other effects
 * Lightbringer title effect: only vs. demonic servants of Abaddon
 * Stances
 * Skills
 * Other effects
 * Lightbringer title effect: only vs. demonic servants of Abaddon
 * Other effects
 * Lightbringer title effect: only vs. demonic servants of Abaddon

Percentage damage reduction
Percentage damage reduction lowers damage by a fixed fraction of the original damage or by a % chance; it stacks multiplicatively.
 * Skills
 * Enchantments
 * (elite)
 * (elite)
 * : only vs. spell damage
 * Shouts
 * : only against damage from burning foes
 * Stances
 * : only vs. earth damage
 * : only vs. fire damage
 * : only vs. cold damage
 * : only vs. lightning damage
 * Skills
 * (elite)
 * : only affects your spirits within earshot
 * Conditions
 * Weakness: only affects attacks
 * Conditions
 * Weakness: only affects attacks

Threshold damage reduction
Threshold damage reduction, also known as Damage cappers, prevent all damage above a certain threshold (generally a percentage of the target's maximum health), while having no effect on damage below that threshold.


 * Skills
 * Binding Rituals
 * Enchantments
 * Item spells
 * (elite)
 * Weapon spells
 * (elite)
 * (elite)
 * Weapon spells
 * (elite)