Breakpoint
A breakpoint is a point at which a mathematical function jumps from one value to another. In Guild Wars, this is almost exclusively used to describe the attribute rank at which skill effects become substantially more useful. For example, Expertise reduces the energy cost of 5 energy skills by 1 at rank 3, but the next breakpoint doesn't come until rank 8, when the cost is reduced by two.
Breakpoints are important when assigning attribute points: good builds ensure that no points are wasted in an attribute without offering a notable benefit. Weakness has a powerful impact on builds that are based around breakpoints, so players might consider having the attribute rank one higher than the breakpoint before heading to weakness-heavy areas.
Example[edit]
- Shield of Absorption breakpoints
| Progression | |
|---|---|
|
0 3
1 3
2 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
6 5
7 5
8 5
9 5
10 6
11 6
12 6
13 6
14 7
15 7
16 7
17 8
18 8
19 8
20 8
21 9
| |
Protection Prayers determines the breakpoints for Shield of Absorption:
- Set the rank to 2, 6, 10, or 14 (for durations of 4, 5, 6, or 7 seconds, respectively).
- However, in areas where you are likely to be suffering from weakness, it might be useful to set one rank higher (i.e. to 3, 7, 11, or 15), since that prevents any impact due to the reduction of Protection Prayers.
Notable breakpoints[edit]
- Energy management:
- Critical Strikes has breakpoints affecting the energy gained per critical; Leadership has breakpoints affecting the maximum energy gained from Shouts or Chants.
- The energy reduction of Expertise and Mysticism jumps at certain values.
- If their minimum requirement is met, primary weapons do more damage, shields provide better armor rating, and foci provide more energy.
- Some skills can be indefinitely maintained at sufficient attribute rank, e.g. Trapper's Speed with Expertise of 9 or more.
