Diablo 4: What is overpower damage?

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Blizzard’s Diablo 4 brings a ton of changes that revolutionize the staple action RPG franchise. An open world to explore, class-specific mechanics, World Bosses, and new damage types shape the game to be one of the biggest ARPGs yet. Overpower damage provides one such new damage type, and can be confusing for players. Fortunately, we can explain what Overpower damage is in Diablo 4. 

Diablo 4 Overpower damage – Explained

While you’re fighting enemies in Diablo 4, you’ll notice numbers of different colors if you haven’t turned off the damage numbers (they’re on by default). Overpower damage causes the light blue numbers you’re seeing. But what is overpower damage? Simply put, it’s a new damage type based on a total of your current Life and fortified Life. Whenever you attack or use a skill, there’s a chance for it to proc overpower.

Overpower damage also has a few specific properties:

• Bonus damage dealt scales with the skill overpower procs on.
• Damage over time, passive, and channeled skills can’t proc Overpower.
• There’s a base 3% chance to proc Overpower that can’t be increased.
  • Certain effects and items can guarantee Overpower procs.

Overpower damage adds a lot of build potential to Diablo 4. Many of the game’s items have Overpower damage as a rollable stat, and some legendary aspects guarantee Overpower procs.

Of course, this makes Overpower damage a viable damage type to base an entire build around. For example, you can theorycraft builds that get it to proc as often as possible. Alternatively, you could build a character who deals as much overpower damage as possible whenever it does proc. Or, you could start a character somewhere in the middle. Whatever you decide to go for, keep in mind Overpower is not a multiplier, but additive. Extra Overpower damage is simply added on top of the base hit damage.

Diablo 4 is available for pre-order on Battle.net. The full game releases on June 6.