Damage Scaling & Proration Guide
Understanding how damage reduces during combos is essential for optimization. Learn the scaling formula, Wounded status, and how to maximize your combo damage.
What is Damage Scaling?
Damage scaling (also called proration) reduces the damage of each hit in a combo as the combo gets longer. This prevents infinite combos and keeps matches competitive. The first 2 hits deal full damage, then scaling kicks in.
Damage Scaling Table
| Hit Number | Scaling | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hit 1-2 | 100% | 100 damage attack deals 100 damage |
| Hit 3 | 90% | 100 damage attack deals 90 damage |
| Hit 4-5 | 80% | 100 damage attack deals 80 damage |
| Hit 6-7 | 70% | 100 damage attack deals 70 damage |
| Hit 8-10 | 60% | 100 damage attack deals 60 damage |
| Hit 11-15 | 50% | 100 damage attack deals 50 damage |
| Hit 16+ | 40% | 100 damage attack deals 40 damage (minimum) |
Damage Calculation Example
Example Combo:
5M (80) → 5H (120) → 2H (100) → j.M (60) → j.H (80) → j.S1 (100)| Hit # | Move | Base Damage | Scaling | Actual Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5M | 80 | 100% | 80 |
| 2 | 5H | 120 | 100% | 120 |
| 3 | 2H | 100 | 90% | 90 |
| 4 | j.M | 60 | 80% | 48 |
| 5 | j.H | 80 | 80% | 64 |
| 6 | j.S1 | 100 | 70% | 70 |
| Total Damage: | 472 | |||
| (Unscaled would be 540) | -68 lost | |||
Wounded Status
Wounded is a debuff state that increases all damage taken by the affected character.
Sources
- Darius - Noxian Might passive and Apprehend assist
- Some special moves and supers
- Certain team synergies
Duration & Strategy
Duration: Lasts until the character tags out or round ends
Strategy: Apply Wounded early in combos to maximize damage with the bonus
Combo Optimization Strategies
Front-load High Damage Moves
Use your strongest attacks early in combos when scaling is at 100%. Save weaker multi-hit moves for later.
Minimize Hit Count
Every hit reduces scaling. Sometimes a shorter combo deals more damage than a longer one.
Save Supers for Combo End
Super moves have fixed damage that doesn't scale as harshly. Use them as finishers.
Tag Combos Reset Scaling
When you tag mid-combo, the incoming character's first hit starts fresh. Use this for maximum damage.
Wounded Status Multiplier
If opponent has Wounded debuff, all damage is multiplied by 1.15x. Apply it before big damage.
Tag Combos & Scaling Reset
Scaling Reset on Tag
One of the most important damage optimization techniques: when you tag mid-combo, the incoming character's attacks benefit from partially reset scaling. This is why tag combos deal significantly more damage than single-character combos.
Scaling continues throughout entire combo. Later hits deal 40-50% damage.
Second character starts with higher scaling. Same hit count deals more damage.