Rugal's foreward:

For those of you who are interested in exhaustive testing and analysis, Apple Pie directed me to a great Japanese website that lists the results of several years of testing concerning Weapon Skill damage. Keep in mind much of this is still in development, and there are still some unknown factors, but this may clear up some misconceptions players may have. Also, due to the difficult nature of testing WS with several hits, many of themulti-hit WS' damage modifiers are still unknown at this time.

http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Part/6371/memo.html

Here is what I have translated so far of this site. Many thanks to Apple Pie for translating several of the formulae for me and explaining some of the other intricacies of the calculations. There are still a few formulae that I have not successfully fully translated yet, such as the cap of damage if WS criticals, or added damage with Sneak Attack. Note that there are a few added notes on the JP site that include very minute corrections on the formulae, but they do not affect the basic damage equation very much.

I also changed some incorrect data in this site (for certain weapons that were not tested extensively such as Katana and Great Katana). Plus, I included how additional TP affects certain WS that have a set damage modifier (accuracy up, crit rate higher, etc).

MeuII's foreward:

I've taken Rugal's guide as a baseand altered its appearance some - mostly adding information from various otherweaponskill guides, I will credit my sources but it may not necessarily listtheir own sources in detail. All Secondary Attributes have been filled in savefor Blade: Ei, Tachi: Koki, and Guillotine. I've basically also added morecomprehensive explanations of TP adjustments, added on TP effect on Great SwordShockwave WS, Great Axe Break WS, Dagger MP Drain WS, Club MP Recover WS, andsupposed (may or may not be entirely accurate) damage multiplier of a few WSwith notable Criticals such as Keen Edge. I'll label the notable CriticalMultiplier as the Crit variable for now and I represented them in the TPAdjustment column in the format of: Critical Rate (Crits ?x Dam.) where ? is theCrit variable value. The greater the amount of TP, the greater the chance to hita Critical on those WS, but there's still a chance that it won't Critical unlessused with Sneak Atack (if it even works with Sneak Attack). For the weaponskillsthat these special Criticals MAY apply to, the damage calculationthen becomes:

WD = (D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP * CritDamage = WD * PDIF = ((D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP * Crit) * PDIF

If those WS do not Critical then donot multiply by the Crit. This is really hard to do but I'm testing thistheoretical formula using Ninja/Thief's Blade: Rin, Monk/Thief's BackhandBlow, and Thief's Backhand Blow (This one in particular has an uglier formulaand pesky extra variables). I'm using Sneak Attack to force Critical hits on theseWeaponskills. But I need more testing before I can conclude that my inferredabove formula is actually correct. Treat those Damage results as mere Estimation.If anyone else can provide additional testing data to fine tune critical WSformula, it would be welcome. I also need more test data on Dagger MP Drain WSas well as info on any other mobs that they are effective on. I don't check myemail often as it's pretty much almost completely spam mail, best way to contactme about FFXI is on the vnboards Private Message - you'll have to sign up on IGN. Yet another addition I reallyneed to make is to translate the Strength range chart, the original chart isfound at http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Part/6371/range.htmlalong with the other charts located on their main page. While this guide willstill focus mainly on caculating Weaponskill Damage (Or in the case of the MPweaponskills the amount of MP gained), it does diverge a litle into aweaponskill explanation guide. But for a more comprehensive, less Mathintensive, and relatively complete general WS and skillchain guide I wouldsuggest Kletian999's FAQ that I have included info from at http://www.killingifrit.com/page.php?id=236.

Physical WS Damage Calculation: WD: Base damage of your WSD: Base damage of your weapon (e.g., Espadon = 43)fSTR: difference between your STR and target's VIT WSC: Secondary attribute like STR_30 (30% of your STR).fTP: Multiplier (Please see chart below). PDIF: (your ATK/target's DEF) for melee WS there is a damage cap on PDIF of 2.4, for ranged WS it is capped at 3

Example by ZQM:

If the mob has 400 DEF and you have 600 ATK, PDIF is 1.5. PDIF also caps at 2.4, so if the mob has 200 DEF and

you have 600 ATK, PDIF is only 2.4 even though 600/200 is 3.WSC = integer(sum of any secondary attributes) x @

*The integer function means to drop any numbers in the decimal places of the result.Level    @Lv75... 0.83Lv74... 0.83Lv73... 0.84Lv72... 0.84Lv67... 0.86 or 0.87 (perhaps 0.87)Lv60... 0.90 or 0.91 (perhaps 0.90)Lv40... 0.94 Lv37... 0.94 ~ 0.99Lv31... 0.94 - 0.99For example, suppose you have 100 STR and 100 MND and use use Swift Blade (STR_30, MND_30).WSC = integer[(100 x 0.3) + (100 x 0.3)] x @ = integer(60) x @ = 60 x @@ is 0.86 - 0.87 at LV67 but it's going to decrease as your level is going up. It's 0.83 at LV75WD = (D + fSTR + WSC) * fTPI'm not 100% positive, but I think for Sneak Attack with THF main, this is the calculation:WD = (D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP + DEX + AGIActual Damage of WS is then calculated in this way.Melee Damage = WD * PDIF = ((D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP) * PDIFRanged Damage = WD * PDIF = ((D + fSTR2 + WSC) * fTP) * PDIFAs for the difference between fSTR and fSTR2, they have different caps:fSTR = from 0 to (D / 9) + 8fSTR2 = from 0 to fSTR*2Note: fSTR [(D / 9) + 8] doesn't count "Arrow D"

Extra hits on Weaponskills: Dual Wield and Double Attack can add an extra hit to your WS. However, the fTP

multiplier is always 1.00 regardless of the weapon skill and the TP you have. Also, this only applies to physical

WS (not Magic WS like Burning Blade)

Example by Apple Pie on extra hits:

In case of WAR75/THF15+ arming Berserker's Axe with 100 STR/VIT (for easier calculation) when both fSTR

and PDIF are capped, the highest damage expected of Steel Cyclone at 300% TP with SA should be:((95 + int (95 / 9) + 8 + int (50 + 50) * 0.83) * 3.0) * 3.0 = 1,764

But when Double Attack kicks in:First Attack: ((95 + int (95 / 9) + 8 + int (50 + 50) * 0.83) * 3.0) * 3.0 = 1,764Second Attack: ((95 + int (95 / 9) + 8 + int (50 + 50) * 0.83) * 2.4) * 1.0 = 470Total: 1,764 + 470 = 2,234Note this example assumes that the PDIF melee damage is capped (2.4) and also that it becomes 3.0 from critical

with Sneak Attack.

As for weaknesses (i.e. Blunt damage against Bone mobs), I believe you multiply the end product by the necessary

multiplier. You can see the various multipliers here: http://ff11.s33.xrea.com/cgi2/monster.cgiPhsyical Chart : fTP multiplier (non-damage related TP modifier and Crits also listed in last column)Hand-to-Hand WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentCombo			1.00	1.50	2.00	x3	STR_20%, DEX_20%	fTP ModifierShoulder Tackle		1.00			x2	VIT_30%			Stun Success RateOne Inch Blow		1.00			x2	VIT_40%			Ignore more DEFBackhand Blow		1.00			x2	STR_30%, VIT_30%	Critical Rate (Crits 2x Dam. both hits)Raging Fists		1.00	1.50	2.00	x5	STR_20%, DEX_20%	fTP ModifierSpinning Attack		1.00			x2	STR_35%			Attack RadiusHowling Fist		1.50	2.00	3.00	x2	STR_20%, VIT_50%	fTP ModifierDragon Kick		2.00	2.50	3.00	x2	STR_50%, VIT_50%	fTP ModifierAsuran Fists		1.00			x8	STR_50% or VIT_50%	Higher AccuracyDagger WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentWasp Sting		1.00			x1				Longer PoisonShadowstitch		1.00			x1	CHR_30%			Bind Success RateViper Bite		1.00			x1	ATKx2			Longer PoisonDancing Edge		1.00			x5	DEX_30%, CHR_40%	Higher AccuracyShark Bite		2.00	???	3.00	x2	DEX_50%			fTP ModifierEvisceration		1.00	???	2.00	x5	DEX_30%			fTP ModifierSword WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentFast Blade		1.00	1.50	2.00	x2	STR_20%, DEX_20%	fTP Modifier	Flat Blade		1.00			x1	STR_30%			Stun Success RateCircle Blade		1.00			x1	STR_35%			Attack RadiusSpirits Within*		4/32	6/32	15/32	x1	N/A		*Damage = Current HP * TP ModifierVorpal Blade		1.00			x4	STR_30%			Critical Rate (Crits ?x Dam.)Swift Blade		1.50			x3	STR_30%, MND_30%	Higher AccuracySavage Blade		1.00	1.75	3.50	x2	STR_30%, MND_50%	fTP ModifierGreat Sword WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentHard Slash		1.50	1.75	2.00	1x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierPower Slash		1.00			1x	STR_20%, VIT_20%	Critical Rate (Crits 2x Dam.)Shockwave*		1.00			1x	STR_30%, MND_30%	Longer sleepCrescent Moon		1.00	1.75	2.50	1x	STR_35%			fTP ModifierSickle Moon		1.50	2.00	2.75	2x	STR_20%, AGI_20%	fTP ModifierSpinning Slash		2.50	3.00	3.50	1x	STR_30%, INT_30%	fTP ModifierGround Strike		1.50	1.75	3.00	1x	STR_50%, INT_50%	fTP Modifier*Note that Shockwave is an area attack, it pans out in a wedge shape in front of the user and also has a

fTP Modifier of 1.50 against the additional mobs it hits besides 1.00 fTP Modifier against the currently

targeted mob. It is possible to use Shockwave to Sleep linking mobs.

Scythe WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentSlice			1.50	1.75	2.00	1x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierNightmare Scythe	1.00			1x	MND_30%			Longer BlindSpinning Scythe		1.00			1x	STR_30%			Attack RadiusVorpal Scythe		1.00			1x	STR_35%			Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.)Guillotine		0.875			4x	STR_25%, MND_25%	Longer SilenceCross Reaper		2.00	2.25	2.50	2x	STR_30%, MND_30%	fTP ModifierSpiral Hell		1.375	1.875	3.625	1x	STR_50%, INT_50%	fTP ModifierPolearm WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentDouble Thrust		1.00	1.50	2.00	2x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierLeg Sweep		1.00			1x	STR_30%			Stun Success RatePenta Thrust		0.75	1.00	2.25	5x	STR_20%, DEX_20%	fTP ModifierVorpal Thrust		1.00			1x	STR_20%, AGI_20%	Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.)Skewer			1.00			3x	STR_35%			Higher AccuracyWheeling Thrust		1.75			1x	STR_50%			Ignore more DEFImpulse Drive		1.00	1.50	2.50	2x	STR_50%			fTP ModifierAxe WS			100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentRaging Axe		1.00	1.50	2.00	2x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierSmash Axe		1.00			1x	STR_30%			Stun Success RateGale Axe*		1.50	2.00	2.50	1x	STR_30%			Choke (DEF Down,Wind DoT) Success RateAvalanche Axe		2.00	2.50	3.00	1x	STR_35%			fTP ModifierSpinning Axe		1.00			1x	STR_30%			No Attack Radius adjustment?Rampage			0.50			5x	STR_30%			Critical Rate (Crits ?x Dam.)Calamity		1.00	1.50	4.00	1x	STR_32%, VIT_32%	fTP Modifier

Mistral Axe		2.50	3.00	3.50	1x	STR_50%			fTP ModifierDecimation		1.00			3x	STR_50%			Higher Accuracy*DoT stands for Damage over Time, Gale Axe has the additional effect of Choke which is a Black Mage Elemental

Enfeebling spell that lowers Defense and does Wind damage to the mob at the rate of 1HP/tic.

Great Axe WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentShield Break		1:30min	2:00min	2:30min	1x	STR_20%, VIT_20%	EVA Down Duration, 1.00 fTP ModifierIron Tempest		1.50	2.00	2.00	1x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierSturmwind		1.00			2x	STR_30%			Critical Rate (Crits ?x Dam. both hits)Armor Break		1:30min	2:00min	2:30min	1x	STR_20%, VIT_20%	DEF Down Duration, 1.00 fTP ModifierKeen Edge		1.00			1x	STR_35%			Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.)Weapon Break		1:30min	2:00min	2:30min	1x	STR_32%, VIT_32%	ATK Down Duration, 1.00 fTP ModifierRaging Rush		1.00	1.50	2.50	3x	STR_35%			fTP ModifierFull Break		1:30min	2:00min	2:30min	1x	STR_50%, VIT_50%	ACC,EVA,DEF,ATK Down Duration, 1.00-

										- fTP ModifierSteel Cyclone		1.50	1.75	3.00	1x	STR_50%, VIT_50%	fTP Modifier*Break WS notes: Based on "Element" of Break WS mobs will also have differing status Down durations.

Shield Break = Ice, Armor Break = Wind, Weapon Break = Water, Full Break = Earth

Mob is resistant to WS element: 0x Duration of Status Down (Status Down does not take effect)

Mob is neither resistant nor weak to WS element: 1x Duration of Status Down based on TP Adjustment

Mob is weak to WS element: 2x Duration of Status Down based on TP Adjustment

Club WS			100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentBrainshaker		1.00			1x	STR_30%			Stun Success RateSkullbreaker		1.00			1x	STR_35%			Longer INT downTrue Strike		1.00			1x	STR_50%			Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.)Judgment		2.00	2.50	4.00	1x	STR_32%, MND_32%	fTP ModifierHexastrike		1.00			6x	STR_20%, MND_20%	Critical Rate (Crits ?x Dam.)Black Halo		1.50	2.50	3.00	2x	STR_30%, MND_50%	fTP ModifierStaff WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentHeavy Swing		1.00	1.25	2.25	1x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierShell Crusher		1.00			1x	STR_35%			Longer DEF downFull Swing		1.00	3.00	5.00	1x	STR_50%			fTP ModifierSpirit Taker*		1.00	1.50	2.00	1x	INT_50%, MND_50%	fTP ModifierRetribution		2.00	2.50	3.00	1x	STR_30%, MND_50%	fTP Modifier

* Note that the Damage done by Spirit Taker is then converted into MP for the user of the WS.Katana WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentBlade: Rin		1.00			1x	STR_20%, DEX_20%	Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.)Blade: Retsu		1.00			2x	STR_20%, DEX_20%	Longer ParalysisBlade: Jin		1.00			3x	STR_30%, DEX_30%	Critical Rate (Crits 2x Dam.)Blade: Ten		2.50	2.75	3.00	1x	STR_30%, DEX_30%	fTP ModifierBlade: Ku		1.00			5x	STR_10%, DEX_10%	Higher AccuracyGreat Katana WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentTachi: Enpi		1.00	1.50	2.00	2x	STR_30%			fTP ModifierTachi: Hobaku		1.00			1x	STR_30%			Stun Success RateTachi: Yukikaze		1.50	2.00	2.50	1x	STR_75%			Longer Blind and fTP ModifierTachi: Gekko		1.50	2.00	2.50	1x	STR_75%			Longer Silence and fTP ModifierTachi: Kasha		1.50	2.00	2.50	1x	STR_75%			Longer Paralysis and fTP ModifierArchery WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentFlaming Arrow		1.00	1.00	1.00	1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	fTP Modifier (Magic WS?)Piercing Arrow		1.00			1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	Ignore more DEFDulling Arrow		1.00			1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.),

										Longer INT downSidewinder*		5.00			1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	Higher AccuracyBlast Arrow**		2.00			1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	Higher AccuracyArching Arrow		3.50			1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	Critical Rate (Crits 5x Dam.?)Empyrial Arrow		2.50	2.75	3.00	1x	STR_16%, AGI_25%	fTP Modifier* Sidewinder looks like 4 hits but only uses one arrow, it is a notoriously inaccurate Ranged WS

** Blast Arrow must be performed at melee range as animation starts with melee hit, it looks like 2 hits but only

uses one arrowMarksmanship WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP AdjustmentHot Shot		1.00	1.00	1.00	1x	AGI_30%			fTP Modifier (Magic WS?)Split Shot		1.00			1x	AGI_30%			Ignore more DEFSniper Shot		1.00			1x	AGI_30%			Critical Rate (Crits 3x Dam.),

										Longer INT downSlug Shot*		5.00			1x	AGI_30%			Higher AccuracyBlast Shot**		2.00			1x	AGI_30%			Higher Accuracy

Heavy Shot		3.50			1x	AGI_30%			Critical Rate (Crits 5x Dam.?)Detonator		2.50	2.75	3.00	1x	AGI_30%			fTP Modifier* Slug Shot looks like 4 hits but only uses one bullet/bolt, it is a notoriously inaccurate Ranged WS

** Blast Shot must be performed at melee range as animation starts with melee hit, it looks like 2 hits but only

uses one bullet/bolt

Magic WS Damage Calculation: WSC : Secondary attribute modifierfINT : difference between your INT and target's INT (caps at 24)fTP : Multiplier (Please see chart below)MDIF : (your MATK/target's MDEF)ELM : Elemental influence... i.e. is target weak or strong to the element?Damage = ((WSC * fTP) + fINT/2 + 8) * MDIF * ELMMagic Chart : fTP multiplier

Weaponskill Name	100%	200%	300%	Element		Secondary Attribute	#Hits

Gust Slash (Dagger)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Wind		DEX, INT		1xCyclone	(Dagger)	1.00	2.50	3.00	Wind		DEX, INT		1x

Burning Blade (Sword)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Fire		STR_20%, INT_20%	1xRed Lotus Blade	(Sword)	1.00	2.375	3.00	Fire		STR_30%, INT_20%	1xShining Blade (Sword)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Light		MND			1xSeraph Blade (Sword)	1.00	2.50	3.00	Light		STR, MND		1x

Frostbite (Great Sword)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Ice		STR_20%, INT_20%	1xFreezebite (Great Sword)1.00	1.50	3.00	Ice		STR_30%, INT_20%	1xDark Harvest (Scythe)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Darkness	INT			1xShadow of Death	(Scythe)1.00	2.50	3.00	Darkness	STR, INT		1x

Thunder Thrust (Polearm)1.50	2.00	2.50	Thunder		INT			1xRaiden Thrust (Polearm)	1.00	2.00	3.00	Thunder		STR, INT		1x

Shining Strike (Club)	.875	1.75	2.50	Light		MND			1xSeraph Strike (Club)	.875	2.00	3.00	Light		STR, MND		1xRock Crusher (Staff)	1.00	2.00	2.50	Earth		INT			1xEarth Crusher* (Staff)	1.00	2.25	3.50	Earth		STR, INT		1x

Starburst (Staff)	.875	1.625	2.00	Light/Dark	MND or INT		1xSunburst (Staff)	.875	2.00	3.125	Light/Dark	MND or INT		1xBlade: Teki (Katana)	1.00	1.00	1.00	Water		STR_20%, INT_20%	1xBlade: To (Katana)	1.00	1.00	1.00	Ice		STR_30%, INT_30%	1xBlade: Chi (Katana)	???	???	???	Earth		STR_20%, INT_20%	2xBlade: Ei (Katana)	???	???	???	Darkness	???_??%			1xTachi: Goten (G.Katana) 1.00	???	???	Thunder		STR_30%			1xTachi: Kagero (G.Katana)1.00	???	???	Fire		STR_50%			1xTachi: Jinpu (G.Katana)	1.00	???	???	Wind		STR_30%		 	2x		Tachi: Koki (G.Katana)	1.00	???	???	Light		STR_??%			1x* Earth Crusher is an Area attack located in front of the user.

No Damage, MP Drain/Recovery Weaponskills:

Dagger WS		100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP Adjustment

Energy Steal		???	???	???	1x	???			Amount of MP Drained

Energy Drain		???	???	???	1x	???			Amount of MP Drained

*Note MP Drain Dagger WS can be used on all mobs with MP. All spell-casting mobs including some beasts with

spell-like abilities can be drained with Dagger WS.

MP Drain list (Incomplete, also unknown if spell-casting NMs can be drained or not):

All Beastmen Mages, Paladins, and Dark Knights (Beastmen Bards do not possess MP)

All Elementals (Beastmen pet Elementals included)

Crabs

Beetles (Beastmen pet Beetles included)

Worms

Club WS			100%	200%	300%	#Hits	Secondary Attribute	TP Adjustment

Star Light		Skill/9	Skill/6	Skill/3	0x	N/A			Amount of MP recovered

Moon Light		Skill/9	Skill/6	Skill/3	0x	N/A			Amount of PARTY MP recovered

CREDITS!

Iluvitar's FFXI Central Weapon SkillDamage Analysis guide by Rugal that I have used as a base: http://www.iluvitar.com/sections/ffxi/skill/jpwstranslated.html

The original http://www.ffxionline.com/'sforum thread started by Rugal with additional posts by Applie Pie and ZQM: http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47276

Studio Gobli's original Japaneseweaponskill damage guide: http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Part/6371/memo.html

TheBilingual Website for Final Fantasy XI

Kletian999 and all those involved increating the WS and SC FAQ that I found at http://www.killingifrit.com/See top for link to actual FAQ

Thanks to...

Guivre (not the Dragon NM) for beinga Best Friend, convincing me to play FFXI, and being someone whom I can messaround with bizarre WS and job combinations with.

Final Fantasy Vault http://ffvault.ign.com/and subsequently the FFXICommunity vnboards for all the entertaining fanart and comics and fortolerating my inane presence and opinions.

The Thiefs and Ninjas I look up to onthe vnboards: Archain, Nynja, Sendantes (Wizzie), Gojiran, Kaeldra, Aviendha,and also SuperSy