Penetration

Penetration directly reduces the damage reduction provided by a target's Defense. Your effective Penetration is countered by the target's Ignore Penetration, which can be offset by your Cancel Ignore Penetration. It is one of the most impactful offensive stats in endgame PvE and PvP, driving major damage gains against high-Defense bosses and players. Once your effective Penetration matches the target's Defense, you reach the cap and extra Penetration adds no more damage.

How It Works

The game first checks the target's Ignore Penetration. Your Cancel Ignore Penetration reduces that value first.

• Effective Enemy Ignore Penetration = max(0, Target Ignore Penetration - Your Cancel Ignore Penetration)
• Effective Penetration = Your Penetration - Effective Enemy Ignore Penetration

The game then uses your Effective Penetration against the target's Defense. More Effective Penetration means less damage reduction from Defense.

Level-Based Minimum

Penetration can remove the usual Defense reduction, but a small amount of Defense reduction may still remain.

This minimum depends on the target's level. It is part of the Defense calculation, not a Penetration cap. Against a level 200 target, the current minimum is 0.3%, so some Defense reduction remains no matter how high your Penetration becomes.

Level 200 Example

These examples use a level 200 target with 1,000 Defense.

The target's base Defense reduction is:

1,000600 + 2 × 200 + 1,000 = 50%

Penetration then reduces that result:

0 Penetration
50% × (1 - 01,000) = 50% Defense reduction

500 Penetration
50% × (1 - 5001,000) = 25% Defense reduction

1,000 Penetration
50% × (1 - 1,0001,000) = 0%
The level-based minimum leaves 0.3% Defense reduction

If Effective Penetration becomes negative, the calculation does not stop at 0. Negative Effective Penetration makes the target's Defense more effective, up to the 95% Defense reduction cap.

Practical Use

Penetration is most useful against high-Defense targets, but the target's Defense still matters. Many endgame builds may have roughly 2,500 to 3,000 Penetration while boss and player Defense can exceed 10,000.

When the target's Defense is several times higher than your available Penetration, a large amount of Defense reduction remains. Penetration can still increase damage, but compare its expected gain with other offensive stats when choosing between item options.

Sources

• Base Stats: each class has base Penetration
• Equipment: weapons, accessories, arcanas, belts, carnelians, charms, epaulets, vehicles, and upgrade paths can provide Penetration
• Progression Systems: Essence Rune, Collection, Achievements, Honor Medal, Overlord Mastery, Gold Merit, Platinum Merit, Stellar Link, Myth Level, and Pets can provide Penetration
• Class and Battle Systems: Battle Modes and some class passive skill enhancements can add Penetration
• Temporary Buffs: GM buffs and Penetration Potions can provide Penetration

PvP Note

Some PvP target classes give the attacker an extra 10% of Effective Penetration. This applies when attacking Warrior, Force Archer, Force Shielder, Force Blader, Gladiator, or Force Gunner.

Blader, Wizard, and Dark Mage do not apply this Penetration modifier.

Notes and Tips

• Defense Dependent: The effect of Penetration is calculated against the target's Defense.
• Reduced by Ignore Penetration: Target Ignore Penetration is subtracted from your Penetration. Your Cancel Ignore Penetration reduces this subtraction.
• Penetration Effectiveness Table: The Penetration Effectiveness Table compares Penetration with different Defense values and shows the remaining Defense reduction.
• Ignore Penetration vs Defense Table: The Ignore Penetration vs Defense Table compares Ignore Penetration with Defense across player and mob stat values.

Formula