Why does 4-piece Viridescent Venerer say “−40% RES” yet only add around 28% damage? And why does the same shred suddenly double your numbers against a Ruin Guard? The answer is the three-tier resistance multiplier. Here is the math, every source, and how to use it.
Across different sources yes, within the same source no. Two separate debuffs add together, but the same effect never stacks with itself or refreshes on top of itself. Past zero the value is also halved, which is why a -40% shred often lands as only about 28% more damage.
Resistance does not subtract damage directly — it converts into a damage multiplier, and the formula depends on which tier the final RES lands in:
| Final RES | Damage multiplier | Note |
|---|---|---|
| < 0% (negative) | 1 − RES / 2 | Still helps, but at half efficiency |
| 0% – 75% | 1 − RES | Linear zone, where shred is most valuable |
| ≥ 75% | 1 ÷ (4 × RES + 1) | High-RES zone, sharply diminishing |
Final RES = base RES + bonus RES − shred. In other words, shred subtracts from the number; it is not a proportional discount.
Once RES is pushed below zero it enters the half-effect zone. Take the standard 10% base RES:
| Shred | Final RES | Multiplier | Gain vs no shred |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | 10% | 0.90 | — |
| −20% (Zhongli shield) | −10% | 1.05 | +16.7% |
| −30% (Deepwood Memories) | −20% | 1.10 | +22.2% |
| −36% (Xilonen Skill) | −26% | 1.13 | +25.6% |
| −40% (Viridescent Venerer) | −30% | 1.15 | +27.8% |
| −76% (VV 40 + Xilonen 36) | −66% | 1.33 | +47.8% |
So the panel number “−40%” is not a 40% damage gain. But note it is still a +27.8% total damage increase (0.90 → 1.15) — a very high-value bracket, better than most ATK% or DMG Bonus stats.
The higher the enemy’s RES, the more a shred is worth. Against a 70% Physical RES enemy:
| State | Final RES | Multiplier | Gain vs no shred |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | 70% | 0.30 | — |
| −40% (Superconduct vs Physical) | 30% | 0.70 | +133% |
That is why against high-RES bosses a shred support beats stacking more ATK — a printed 40% can double your damage on a 70%-RES target.
| Source | Shred | Elements | Condition / limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viridescent Venerer 4pc | −40% | Swirled element | Requires Swirl of that element; cannot affect Geo, Anemo, or Physical |
| Zhongli · Jade Shield | −20% | All elements + Physical | While inside the shield’s range |
| Xilonen · Skill (talent 10) | −36% | Pyro / Hydro / Cryo / Electro + Geo | 2 Normal Attacks after Skill to activate Source Samples; 15s; not Anemo or Dendro |
| Superconduct reaction | −40% | Physical | Triggered by Cryo + Electro |
| Deepwood Memories 4pc | −30% | Dendro | On hit; does not stack with itself |
| Geo Resonance (2 Geo) | −20% | Geo | Always on |
| Jean · C4 | −40% | Anemo | Inside the Dandelion Breeze field |
| Rosaria · C6 | −20% | Physical | On Elemental Skill hit |
| Xingqiu · C2 | −15% | Hydro | On sword rain hit, 4s |
| Venti · C6 | −20% | Anemo + absorbed element | On Wind’s Grand Ode hit |
| Nilou · C2 | −35% | Hydro / Dendro | Requires the Court of Dancing Petals talent |
| Sigewinne · C2 | −35% | Hydro | On Skill / Burst hit, 8s |
| Citlali · C2 | −20% | Pyro / Hydro | After Frozen or Melt, 12s |
| Traveler (Anemo) · C6 | −20% | Anemo + absorbed element | On Gust Surge hit |
| Item | RES shred | DEF shred |
|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Resistance multiplier | Defense multiplier |
| Formula effect | Final RES → three-tier multiplier | Level-based; directly cuts enemy DEF |
| Stacking | Different sources stack | Stacks, capped at 90% total |
| Typical sources | VV, Zhongli shield, Xilonen, Superconduct | Lisa passive, Razor C4, Klee C2, Ayaka C4, Nahida C2 |
| Relationship | The two multiply together — having both compounds your gain | |
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