Does fortitude increase damage?

Does Fortitude Increase Damage?

Fortitude is a popular runeword in Diablo 2, known for its ability to increase physical damage and defense. But does it really increase damage? In this article, we’ll dive into the details and explore the answer to this question.

Direct Answer

Yes, Fortitude does increase damage. However, the increase is not as straightforward as it seems. In this article, we’ll break down the intricacies of Fortitude and its effects on damage.

How Fortitude Works

Fortitude is a runeword that can be made in both weapon and armor. When made in armor, it increases both damage and defense. The damage bonus is not as significant as other runewords, but it’s still a valuable addition to any build.

Damage Bonus

The damage bonus from Fortitude is 20%. This means that if you have a weapon that deals 100 damage, Fortitude will increase that damage to 120. This may not seem like a lot, but it can add up over time.

Defense Bonus

In addition to the damage bonus, Fortitude also increases defense. This is especially useful for melee characters who need to withstand more damage. The defense bonus is 30%, which means that your character will have a 30% chance to block or absorb damage.

Chilling Armor

Fortitude also has a unique ability called Chilling Armor. This ability has a 20% chance to cast a level 15 Chilling Armor when struck. Chilling Armor increases the defense of the caster and retaliates with an Ice Bolt when hit by projectiles.

Faster Cast Rate

Fortitude also increases the cast rate of spells by 25%. This means that your character will be able to cast spells faster, making them more effective in combat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fortitude does increase damage, but the increase is not as significant as other runewords. However, the defense bonus and Chilling Armor ability make it a valuable addition to any build. Additionally, the Faster Cast Rate ability can be useful for spellcasters.

Comparison to Other Runewords

Here is a comparison of Fortitude to other popular runewords:

As you can see, Fortitude has a unique set of abilities that make it stand out from other runewords. While it may not have the highest damage bonus, its defense bonus and Chilling Armor ability make it a valuable addition to any build.

When to Use Fortitude

Fortitude is a versatile runeword that can be used in a variety of situations. Here are some scenarios where Fortitude is particularly useful:

• Melee characters: Fortitude’s defense bonus and Chilling Armor ability make it a great choice for melee characters who need to withstand more damage.
• Physical damage builds: Fortitude’s damage bonus is particularly useful for physical damage builds, such as barbarians and paladins.
• Support characters: Fortitude’s Faster Cast Rate ability makes it a great choice for support characters who need to cast spells quickly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Fortitude is a valuable runeword that can be used in a variety of situations. Its unique set of abilities, including its damage bonus, defense bonus, Chilling Armor ability, and Faster Cast Rate ability, make it a great addition to any build. Whether you’re a melee character, a physical damage build, or a support character, Fortitude is definitely worth considering.