Reflect

Damage reflection is a game mechanic that makes an attacker (e.g. character, monster, trap, etc.) hit himself. Usually it appears as a modifier that causes a damage dealt to a target to also be taken by an attacker; but this mechanic is also being used in other places.

Mechanics

Reflect cares about the damage taken after mitigation, not the amount of life removed. The offensive stats of a creature can affect whether it takes reflected damage (accuracy, block chance reduction, etc.), but cannot affect the amount of damage dealt (critical strikes, penetration, ignoring resistance, damage modifiers, etc).

Although reflected damage hits, it intentionally doesn't trigger most on/when hit effects and, accordingly, cannot cause status ailments, stun, critical strikes and other similar effects that require a hit.

Damage sources

Like any other damage, reflected damage has one of damage sources, or, to be more precise, one of three sources – attack, spell or secondary. Damage over time doesn't hit and, therefore, can't be reflected. A source of reflected damage is always the same as a source of damage dealt to a target, e.g. if a creature hits with a spell, the reflected damage is a spell damage.

Reflect mitigation

• Reflected attacks can be blocked and dodged, and reflected spells can be blocked if the player has spell block or spell dodge. Block chance reduction will lower the characters block chance as well.
• Reflected damage is reduced by the attacker's armour and resistances. For instance if a player with 75% lightning resistance deals 100 lightning damage to a monster with 20% elemental damage reflection, the player will only take 5 of the reflected 20 lightning damage.
• If the reflected damage is attack damage, it can be evaded. It uses accuracy rating.
  • Consequently, reflected attack damage with the hits can't be evaded modifier cannot be evaded by the player. It can still be blocked or dodged.
• Damage dealt by a player's totems, traps, mines, and minions will be reflected back to the totem/trap/mine/minion, not the player.
• Modifiers to damage taken, such as Fortify and Arctic Armour, also lessen reflected damage taken.
• Certain skills are explicitly stated to ignore reflection. Skills that ignore reflection are Herald of Ice and .
• Having at least one skill that deals primarily physical damage can be useful for killing monsters with elemental damage reflection, and vice versa.
• Damage from damage over time effects such as burning is not reflected.
• Sufficient amounts of life leech can lessen or completely counteract the damage from reflection.
• There are a few sources of reduced damage taken from reflect:
  • The passive skill Master of Force grants reduced reflected physical damage damage taken.
  • The passive skills Ash, Frost and Storm and Primeval Force grants reduced reflected physical damage damage taken.
  • The Slayer's passive Headsman grants reduced reflected physical damage damage taken.
  • The Elementalist's passive Paragon of Calamity grants reduced reflected elemental damage taken.
  • Sibyl's LamentSibyl's Lament
    Coral RingRequires Level 45+(20-30) to maximum LifeAdds (8-15) to (20-28) Fire Damage to Attacks
    (20-10)% reduced Rarity of Items found
    Left ring slot: You and your Minions take 80% reduced Reflected Elemental Damage
    Right ring slot: You and your Minions take 80% reduced Reflected Physical Damage
    (20-30)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack SkillsThe portrait reflected his pain,
    a pain that she could never see. grants reduced reflected elemental or physical damage taken when equipped in the left or right ring slot, respectively.
  • An Essence of InsanityEssence of InsanityStack Size: 9
    Essence Tier: 8Upgrades a normal item to rare or reforges a rare item, guaranteeing one property
    Weapon: Triggers Level 20 Spectral Spirits when Equipped
    +3 to maximum number of Spectral Spirits
    Gloves: Socketed Gems have 16% more Attack and Cast Speed
    Boots: 70% increased Mana Regeneration Rate while Shocked
    Body Armour: You gain Onslaught for 6 seconds when Hit
    Helmet: Socketed Gems gain 50% of Physical Damage as extra Lightning Damage
    Shield: 25% chance to gain a Power Charge when you Block
    Quiver: Projectiles Pierce 2 additional Targets
    Amulet: 10% chance to Recover 10% of Mana when you use a Skill
    Ring: You and your Minions take 40% reduced Reflected Damage
    Belt: 10% increased Movement Speed during any Flask EffectRight click this item then left click a normal or rare item to apply it. can be crafted on a quiver or ring to gain the mod 10% reduced Reflected Damage taken.

Interaction with leech

Leech is processed before reflect damage. Therefore the order of operations is:

Hit a target -> Leech -> Receive reflected damage

Damage reflection modifiers

Items

Base items

• All spiked shields reflect physical damage to melee attackers as an implicit modifier.
• Basalt FlaskBasalt FlaskLasts 8.00 Seconds
  Consumes 40 of 60 Charges on use
  20% more ArmourRequires Level 27Taunts nearby Enemies on useRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters. reflect physical damage to attackers during its flask effect.

Unique items

Reflected damage dealt to melee attackers:

• Physical:
  • Advancing FortressAdvancing Fortress
    Gut RipperClaw
    Physical Damage: (40-44) to (106-116.6)
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.30%
    Attacks per Second: 1.50
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 46, 80 Dex, 80 IntGrants 44 Life per Enemy HitSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 12 Fortify
    15% Chance to Block Attack Damage
    (100-120)% increased Physical Damage
    +110 to Evasion Rating
    +35 to maximum Energy Shield
    +(30-50) to maximum Life
    Reflects (71-90) Physical Damage to Melee Attackers"A man cowers behind his walls.
    A woman carries her fortress with her.
    In heart, in mind, in hand."
    - Sekhema Deshret
  • BramblejackBramblejack
    Plate VestArmour: (19-27)
    Movement Speed: -3%+(30-60) to maximum Life
    -(15-10) Physical Damage taken from Attack Hits
    1000% of Melee Physical Damage taken reflected to AttackerIt is safer to be feared than to be loved.
  • Crown of ThornsCrown of Thorns
    Vine CircletEnergy Shield: (157-235)+(150-225) to maximum Energy Shield
    Reflects 5 Physical Damage to Melee Attackers
    +25 Physical Damage taken from Attack Hits
    Pain AttunementLift it lightly, don it slow.
    The spikes point out and in, you know.
  • Crown of the Pale KingCrown of the Pale King
    Regicide MaskEvasion: (352-474)
    Energy Shield: (72-96)Requires Level 52, 58 Dex, 58 Int(150-200)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield
    +(60-80) to maximum Life
    (0.4-0.8)% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
    Reflects 100 to 150 Physical Damage to Melee Attackers
    100% of Damage you Reflect to Enemies when Hit is leeched as LifeA lightless world
    a silent reign
    two sightless eyes
    feed on your pain.
  • GoldrimGoldrim
    Leather CapEvasion: (49-77)+(30-50) to Evasion Rating
    10% increased Rarity of Items found
    +(30-40)% to all Elemental Resistances
    Reflects 4 Physical Damage to Melee Attackers
    Level Requirement reduced by 100 (Hidden)No metal slips as easily through the fingers as gold.
  • Wall of BramblesWall of Brambles
    Plate VestArmour: (2019-2027)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 30Adds 2 to 4 Physical Damage to Attacks
    +2000 to Armour
    +(30-60) to maximum Life
    -(15-10) Physical Damage taken from Attack Hits
    1000% of Melee Physical Damage taken reflected to AttackerThere is no wall thicker or stronger than fear.
• Fire:
  • Cloak of FlameCloak of Flame
    Scholar's RobeEnergy Shield: (43-53)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 18, 55 Int+(50-75)% to Fire Resistance
    (40-75)% increased Ignite Duration on Enemies
    Reflects 100 Fire Damage to Melee Attackers
    40% of Physical Damage taken as Fire DamageHe who sows an ember shall reap an inferno.
• Cold:
  • HrimburnHrimburn
    Goathide GlovesEvasion: (72-92)Requires Level 24, 17 Dex+(20-30) to Strength
    Adds (5-7) to (13-15) Cold Damage to Spells and Attacks
    +(40-50) to Evasion Rating
    +(20-30)% to Cold Resistance
    100% of Physical Damage Converted to Cold Damage
    Reflects 100 Cold Damage to Melee Attackers
    Your Cold Damage can IgniteGiant's blood you cannot tame,
    as wild as an unwatched flame.
  • HrimsorrowHrimsorrow
    Goathide GlovesEvasion: (72-92)Requires Level 9, 17 Dex+(20-30) to Strength
    +(40-50) to Evasion Rating
    +(20-30)% to Cold Resistance
    100% of Physical Damage Converted to Cold Damage
    Reflects 100 Cold Damage to Melee AttackersOf ancient giants, none remain,
    Their only trace is timeless pain.
  • KaltenhaltKaltenhalt
    Painted BucklerChance to Block: 29%
    Evasion: (196-308)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 16, 44 Dex6% increased Movement Speed(60-100)% increased Evasion Rating
    +5% to maximum Cold Resistance
    +50% to Cold Resistance
    Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage
    Reflects (25-50) Cold Damage to Melee Attackers
    +5% Chance to BlockCold, miserable and alone... but alive.
  • KaltensoulKaltensoul
    Painted BucklerChance to Block: 29%
    Evasion: (196-308)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 16, 44 Dex6% increased Movement Speed(60-100)% increased Evasion Rating
    +5% to maximum Cold Resistance
    +50% to Cold Resistance
    Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage
    Reflects (25-50) Cold Damage to Melee Attackers
    +5% Chance to Block
    20% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Cold DamageFlesh may freeze and rot,
    but the soul remains unbroken.
• Lightning:
  • Shavronne's WrappingsShavronne's Wrappings
    Occultist's VestmentEnergy Shield: (274-377)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 62, 180 Int(3-10)% increased Spell Damage(100-150)% increased Energy Shield
    10% faster start of Energy Shield Recharge
    +(30-40)% to Lightning Resistance
    Reflects 1 to 250 Lightning Damage to Melee Attackers
    Chaos Damage taken does not bypass Energy ShieldShavronne's apparel became ever more extravagant
    as her body and soul became ever more corrupted.
  • Xirgil's CrankXirgil's Crank
    Coiled StaffWarstaff
    Physical Damage: 27-57
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.20%
    Attacks per Second: 1.30
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 28, 43 Str, 43 Int+20% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff+15% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff
    (60-80)% increased Spell Damage
    +(70-100) to maximum Energy Shield
    +1 to Level of all Spell Skill Gems
    Reflects 1 to 150 Lightning Damage to Melee Attackers
    20% chance for Energy Shield Recharge to start when you Block"Since one with knowledge of machines
    might be able to bring the labyrinth to a standstill,
    Izaro had us place many boobytrapped decoys.
    But I know which switch brings the monster down."
    - Xirgil, Trapbuilder's final words.
• Chaos:
  • Lightbane RaimentLightbane Raiment
    Ornate RingmailArmour: (569-715)
    Energy Shield: (118-148)
    Movement Speed: -5%Requires Level 47, 69 Str, 69 Int(120-140)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
    30% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage
    Reflects 30 Chaos Damage to Melee Attackers
    25% reduced Light Radius
    100% chance to create Desecrated Ground when you Block
    Desecrated Ground deals 250 Chaos Damage per second (Hidden)
    Desecrated Ground has a radius of 16 (Hidden). . . and the Light faded and hope waned
    Zahndethus cast aside his faith
    and embraced the darkness.

Reflected damage dealt on block:

• Physical:
  • Thousand Teeth TemuThousand Teeth Temu
    Vaal BucklerChance to Block: 37%
    Evasion: (660-833)
    Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 63, 159 Dex3% increased Movement Speed(100-120)% increased Evasion Rating
    +(70-90) to maximum Life
    0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
    +10% Chance to Block
    Reflects 1000 to 10000 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockCrimson burn'd the star of sadness,
    All was woe that seem'd but gladness.
  • The Blood ThornThe Blood Thorn
    Gnarled BranchStaff
    Physical Damage: 18-38
    Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.37-1.43)
    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres+18% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff+12% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff
    100% increased Physical Damage
    (5-10)% increased Attack Speed
    Reflects (22-44) Physical Damage to Attackers on Block
    Curse Enemies with Vulnerability on Block
    Level Requirement reduced by 100 (Hidden)Touch not the thorn, for only blood and pain await.
  • The AnvilThe Anvil
    Amber AmuletRequires Level 45+(20-30) to Strength(10-15)% Chance to Block Attack Damage
    10% reduced Attack Speed
    10% reduced Cast Speed
    +(400-500) to Armour
    (34-48) Life gained when you Block
    (18-24) Mana gained when you Block
    +3% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
    Reflects 240 to 300 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockForge your Perseverance on the Anvil of Faith.
• Lightning:
  • Veil of the NightVeil of the Night
    Great HelmetArmour: (61-76)
    Energy Shield: (14-17)Requires Level 22, 27 Str, 27 Int(20-22)% increased Stun and Block Recovery
    40% reduced Light Radius
    Reflects 1 to (180-220) Lightning Damage to Attackers on Block
    (18-22)% increased Global Defences
    Elemental Resistances are ZeroThe seeds of greatness are planted in darkness,
    Watered by suffering,
    Tended by desperation,
    And bloom steel flowers of victory.

Self-reflect:

• HiltlessHiltless
  Reaver SwordTwo Hand Sword
  Physical Damage: (152-177) to (334-364)
  Critical Strike Chance: (7.00-7.50)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.50
  Weapon Range: 1.5 metresRequires Level 59, 82 Str, 119 Dex60% increased Global Accuracy RatingSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 1 Lifetap
  Adds (90-115) to (230-260) Physical Damage
  (40-50)% increased Critical Strike Chance
  Enemies you Attack Reflect 100 Physical Damage to you
  +0.2 metres to Weapon RangeThe cuts on my hands are a small price to pay
  for the opportunity to drive my steel
  beyond the flesh and into the demon's soul.

Monster modifiers

Rare monsters can have a prefix that gives the monster damage reflection, there is one prefix that reflects physical damage and another that reflects elemental damage.

Map modifiers

Some map modifiers give all monsters in that map a damage reflection, either physical or elemental.

Skill gems

There is currently one skill gem, that reflects damage: Tempest Shield, which occurs upon blocking with a shield.

Other

Certain effects are typed as reflected damage, but are not necessarily triggered when taking damage. Tukohama, War's Herald causes totems to deal a percentage of its maximum life as reflected fire damage when hit. The RetchThe Retch
Rustic SashRequires Level 44(12-24)% increased Global Physical Damage+(60-80) to maximum Life
+(30-40)% to Cold Resistance
0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
60% increased Flask Effect Duration
30% reduced Flask Charges gained during any Flask Effect
200% of Life Leech applies to Enemies as Chaos Damage
15% increased Movement Speed during any Flask EffectBut the grain grew twisted and the water turned dark
and those who partook of Mother Gull's gift
birthed monsters that fed
on the flesh of one another. deals a percentage of leeched life as reflected chaos damage from leech targets.

The dangers of damage reflection

Reflection can be one of the most dangerous effects to encounter at high levels, especially for players focused on high damage output. A fast moving rare monster that appears quickly from off the screen can cause a large spike of damage to the player if hit by those high damage attacks or spells. Players must also be careful with skills that have a long duration (such as supported by and ), as once cast, they cannot be cancelled if a source of reflection appears.

Long-range attacks and spells can also be dangerous, as stray arrows and spells might hit a reflecting rare monster, causing a large amount of damage to the player.

Even monsters that are much lower level than the player and would normally pose no threat can prove deadly if affected by reflection, since the reflection is based on the player's damage output, not the monster's damage.

Reflection can sometimes be difficult to spot, especially in the heat of battle when the monster ability can be obscured by various skill effects.

Version history

Version	Changes
2.0.0	Damage reflection mods on rare monsters are no longer auras.
1.2.0	Both physical and elemental damage reflection from monster auras have been reduced from 15% to 14% reflection.