Diablo 4 brings many compelling innovations to the classic action RPG formula. As a result, there are quite a few new stats and skills in Diablo 4, some of which have players scratching their heads. Overpower is one such stat, so here’s a guide on how it works.
Updated on June 6th, 2023: The previous version of this Diablo 4 Overpower Damage, Explained was originally published during Blizzard's beta period. The guide has been revised to reflect Diablo 4's full launch.
Diablo 4: What is Overpower?
According to the in-game tooltip, an Overpowered attack deals extra damage equal to the sum of the player’s current and Fortified Life. The chance for this occurring is 3%, and that number can’t be increased through stats. Instead, certain skills can guarantee an Overpowered attack, such as the Barbarian’s Combat Bash.
The damage bonus of Overpowered attacks can be improved by increasing Willpower. Many pieces of gear offer increases too, as do certain Aspects. When a character’s attack Overpowers, the damage text appears in blue. If the attack Criticals, it appears in yellow. If an attack Overpowers and Criticals, the text appears in orange.
How to Maximize Overpower Damage in Diablo 4
In principle, the best way to get as much damage as possible with an Overpowered attack is to stay at full health, build up Fortified Life, trigger a guaranteed Overpower attack, and then use a skill that deals immense damage. Interestingly, the Overpowered damage also scales with stat bonuses.
Overpowered damage is calculated using the following formula:
Base Damage * Stat Bonuses + ((Life + Fortified Life) * Stat Bonuses) * Overpower Bonus = Overpowered Damage
For example: a player has 50 Life, 25 Fortified Life, +25% Physical Damage, and +100% Overpower Damage. They hit a creature for 100 Physical damage. If that attack Overpowers, it would break down as follows: 100 * 1.25 + (50 + 25) *1.25) * 2 = 437.5.
In these conditions, a hit for 100 becomes more than four times the damage when Overpowered. If that attack also scores a Critical Hit, it’ll rise by at least another 50%, increasing the total to 656, rounded down. This is why Overpowered attacks are so difficult to trigger. Players that want to lean into Overpowered attacks have a lot of work ahead of them, but it can be done.
Diablo 4 is available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5.