Damage

Whether it originates from player or monster, all standard damage in Spiral Knights can be categorized into one of four types of damage. Similarly, all defense gained from gear can be categorized into these damage types.

Normal Damage

Normal damage is the most common damage type encountered, and is the baseline, in a sense. Most weapons deal normal damage, and most armor provides, if nothing else, defense against normal damage.

Piercing Damage

Piercing damage originates from attacks designed to bypass armor. Guns often deal piercing damage, as do floor spikes and some monster attacks.

Elemental Damage

Elemental damage originates from magic or energy-based attacks. Damage dealt by the fire status condition is elemental damage, as are lasers and other such attacks without a physical component.

Shadow Damage

Shadow damage originates from otherworldly sources, such as Fiends or Undead. Rarely, the player can deal shadow damage, but such weapons are often cursed.

Attacks may have a dual damage type. This is basically treated as two attacks happening simultaneously. For example, a fiery sword may output 25 normal damage and 25 elemental damage with each strike.