Damage modifications

[Crystalion]

I also want to add that Crushing Blow, even when an effect of its own, seems to be applied _before_ other damage calculations, whereas it was applied _after_ all other damage in 1.09.
You can kill a monster with one hit, when you do a CB and actually only enough other damage to bring it down to 1/4 of its maxlife.

This factoid would be granted the daily "surprising tidbit" Crystalion award, if I were actually giving out such things ;)

If this is true, then it is, imo, a HUGE boon. For one thing it means that a fast hitting build with Amp Damage (proc) can expect to have a decent chance vs. Physical Immunes. But the finish-off utility is pretty high, for Zeal and Fury users, who really want their number of targets to fall as quickly as possible.

I can imagine a twisted necro melee build: Beast user, 4 frame crushing blow vs. amped target (e.g. 5 shael chu-ko-nu).

The key is, as other posters have noted, the game doesn't have much in the way of highly immune to physical monsters (i.e. AD or Decrepify are usually just fine to crack them).

Crushing blow(various), freezes target (various), zeal (e.g. Passion; other non-Zeal fast attacks), prevent monster heal (and/or poision/Open Wounds) may again be a viable combo (for those willing to fight monsters that aren't above their clvl). And I thought my Axe of Fechmar was only good for a kick assassin! :)