View source for Research:Heezlewurst's Elemental Buffer

== Do more crystals make the shield stronger? (Gas trap test) ==
I found a gas trap, so I decided to do some testing.

'''Spoiler:''' The trap is in the basement of the dwarf mansion, Ankh-Morpork.

This was done with a ma.sp.de bonus of over 500+, and all methods at 99+% to succeed.

=== No casts ===
In order to test, I first needed to see how much damage the trap did to me unshielded.

==== No shield test ====
'''Note:''' Every HP-entry below is a separate triggering of the trap, it's not a damage over time effect.

<pre>
There is a loud hissing noise.  You choke on poison gas.
{-873 HP}
{-909 HP} 
{-698 HP} 
{-732 HP} 
{-505 HP} 
{-799 HP} 
{-862 HP} 
{-531 HP} 
{-597 HP} 
{-610 HP} 
{-871 HP} 
{-526 HP} 
{-500 HP} 
</pre>

'''Mean:''' 693.3 damage. '''Highest:''' 909 damage. '''Lowest:''' 500 damage.

=== The first casting result ===
Casting HEB with all methods maxed and with one yellow crystal:
<pre>
A small yellow crystal and the octogram seem to twist and merge into ribbons of yellow energy, which rise and surround you.
</pre>

My look output:
<pre>
He is surrounded by sparkling yellow energy.
</pre>

And finally, the shields output:
<pre>
 * You are protected by an elemental shield against:  
 * Gas (about an hour).
</pre>

==== 1 crystal shield test ====
<pre>
There is a loud hissing noise.  You choke on poison gas.
{-419 HP}
{-585 HP} 
{-450 HP}
{-626 HP} 
{-209 HP} 
{-529 HP} 
{-579 HP}
{-413 HP} 
{-399 HP} 
{-639 HP}
{-519 HP} 
{-265 HP} 
{-599 HP} 
{-687 HP} 
{-294 HP} 
</pre>

'''Mean:''' 480.8 damage. '''Highest:''' 687 damage. '''Lowest:''' 209 damage.
There seems to be a reduction of damage, but not blocking entirely like TPA. 

=== The second casting result ===
Cast the spell on 1 more crystal while already having the first shield active. Nothing changed, same messages. Casting was a bit slower.

==== 2 crystal shield test ====
<pre>
There is a loud hissing noise.  You choke on poison gas.
{-245 HP} 
{-432 HP} 
{-215 HP} 
{-507 HP} 
{-669 HP} 
{-555 HP} 
{-324 HP}
{-236 HP} 
{-207 HP} 
{-298 HP} 
{-502 HP} 
{-520 HP} 
{-431 HP} 
{-646 HP} 
{-421 HP}
{-539 HP} 
{-286 HP} 
{-469 HP} 
</pre>

'''Mean:''' 422.3 damage.  '''Highest:''' 669 damage. '''Lowest:''' 207 damage.

=== The third casting result ===
Tried casting on one more additional yellow crystal while having the previous two-crystal shield active. Worked as normal, same messages, nothing changed in shields output.

==== 3 crystal shield test ====
<pre>
There is a loud hissing noise.  You choke on poison gas.
{-391 HP} 
{-613 HP} 
{-501 HP} 
{-542 HP} 
{-372 HP} 
{-280 HP} 
{-251 HP}
{-555 HP} 
{-394 HP} 
{-648 HP} 
</pre>

'''Mean:''' 454.8 damage. '''Highest:''' 648 damage. '''Lowest:''' 251 damage.

== Conclusion ==
The trap damage is random so may be hard to tell, but - It may be that HEB has a cap on two crystals per element.

In my case, if the testing is correct, the shield blocked about 31% of the damage with one crystal, and about 39% of the damage with 2 crystals (using the mean values). Using 3 crystals did not seem to make the shield stronger.

The timer for the elemental shield does not seem to go down from blocking/absorbing damage.

Further research may still be needed!

[[User:Dyne|Dyne]] - 2021-05-28