Mind Over Matter

Mind Over Matter is a keystone passive skill that allows the character's mana to absorb a portion of the damage dealt to life.

Mechanics

When hit, 30% of the damage that would be inflicted on the character's life is deducted from mana instead. If the character has insufficient mana, then the remainder of the damage will be taken from life.

In order to take effect, Mind Over Matter requires the character to be hit. For this reason, it will not allow mana to absorb damage over time.

Mana/Life ratio

For mana to not run out before life the unreserved mana should be at least 43% of unreserved life, granted that 30% of damage is taken from Mana before Life.

Derivation of the Mana/Life ratio

When Hit, X% of Damage is taken from Mana before Life Let k = X/100, to completely remove all mana the damage, DMG, has to be: mana - k*DMG = 0 (1) The life removed can then be written as: life - (1-k) * DMG = 0 (2) Solving equation (1) for DMG: DMG = mana/k (3) (3) in (2) gives: life - (1-k) * mana/k = 0 (4) Solving (4) for mana: mana = k/(1-k) * life (5) The ratio mana/life = k/(1-k) leads to exactly all life and mana being removed from a one-shot. If the ratio is less, i.e. mana/life < k/(1-k), then mana will have run out before all life is removed.

Interactions

Eldritch Battery and Chaos damage

If the node Eldritch Battery is chosen energy shield protects mana instead of life. This energy shield will absorb the converted damage before it is applied on mana. Since chaos damage bypasses energy shield the chaos damage will then be applied directly on mana.

Chaos Inoculation

Mind Over Matter is rendered useless in conjunction with the Chaos Inoculation keystone. Damage is applied to energy shield before life, and as a result there is no opportunity for any damage to be absorbed by mana.

Damage taken gained as mana when hit

If the character gains mana when hit with the x% of Damage taken Gained as Mana when Hit modifier, that mana is gained before any damage is absorbed by mana. This modifier can help with maintaining mana and can be found on certain unique items and passive skills:

• MindspiralMindspiral
  Aventail HelmetArmour: (101-119)
  Energy Shield: (21-25)Requires Level 37, 42 Str, 42 Int+(100-120) to maximum Mana
  Gain (10-15)% of Maximum Mana as Extra Maximum Energy Shield
  Enemies Cannot Leech Mana From you
  (10-20)% of Damage taken Recouped as Mana
  Cannot Leech ManaWhere top is bottom and weak is strong.
• Victario's FlightVictario's Flight
  Goathide BootsEvasion: (84-135)Requires Level 12, 26 Dex+15 to Dexterity
  +15 to Intelligence
  (100-150)% increased Evasion Rating
  (10-20)% increased Movement Speed
  (10-20)% increased Movement Speed when on Low Life
  Quicksilver Flasks you Use also apply to nearby AlliesAlive but not unscathed, Victario fled
  as slaughter blossomed at the gates.
• Battle Rouse

as well as corrupted implicit mods created through Vaal Orbs.

Item modifier

These unique items have the Mind Over Matter modifier, which provides the same effect as this keystone. Taking the keystone in addition to equipping one of these items will impart no additional benefit.

• Cloak of DefianceCloak of Defiance
  Lacquered GarbEvasion: (1144-1645)
  Energy Shield: (236-340)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 52, 76 Dex, 76 Int(300-400)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
  +(100-150) to maximum Mana
  Regenerate 1% of Mana per second
  Mind Over MatterWhen the throat roars,
  As eyes weep,
  When the hand grips hard
  With trembling fingers,
  When belly twists
  Yet legs stand strong,
  That is the work
  Of the Defiant Heart.