Normalization

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Normalization refers to an Attack Power adjustment made to instant attacks in patch 1.8. Hunter ranged instant attacks were also normalized in patch 1.10.

Contents 1 Background 2 Formulas 3 Examples of normalized instant attacks 4 Non-normalized instant attacks 5 Examples of instant attacks that aren't based on weapon damage and thus aren't normalized 6 Tips

Background

Before normalization occurred in patch 1.8, the damage of instant attacks included the weapon speed as a factor to attack power, thus greatly benefitting slow weapons with high swing times. Because of this, slow weapons with lower weapon dps could lead to a higher total damage per second than fast weapons with nominal higher weapon dps, which is counter-intuitive.

One notable example is the Barman Shanker, which was at this time considered by many as the best rare dagger due to its exceptional high swing time, although there were other rare daggers with higher nominal weapon dps (or item level) available.

Formulas

Prior to patch 1.8, the weapon damage used for instant attacks was:

damage = base_weapon_damage + (weapon_speed * Attack Power / 14)

Currently, the normalized weapon damage for instant attacks is:

normalized_damage = base_weapon_damage + (X * Attack Power / 14)

where X is:

• 1.7 for daggers
• 2.4 for other one-handed weapons
• 3.3 for two-handed weapons
• 2.8 for ranged weapons
• weapon speed for non-normalized attacks (see below)

Nearly all instant attacks based upon weapon damage are affected by normalization, only some are not.

Examples of normalized instant attacks

• Rogue
  • Shiv
  • Sinister Strike
  • Ambush
  • Backstab
  • Mutilate
  • Hemorrhage
• Warrior
  • Overpower
  • Mortal Strike
  • Whirlwind
  • Devastate
• Hunter
  • Multi-Shot
• Death Knight
  • Blood Strike
  • Obliterate
• Paladin
  • Crusader Strike
  • Divine Storm

...

Non-normalized instant attacks

• Rogue
  • Ghostly Strike
  • Riposte
• Shaman
  • Stormstrike
• Warrior
  • Cleave
  • Heroic Strike
  • Retaliation
  • Slam
• Hunter
  • Wing Clip
  • Mongoose Bite
  • Scatter Shot

Examples of instant attacks that aren't based on weapon damage and thus aren't normalized

• Rogue
  • Gouge
  • Kick
  • finishing moves
• Warrior
  • Execute
  • Bloodthirst
  • Revenge
  • Rend
  • Hamstring
  • Shield Bash
  • Shield Slam
  • Mocking Blow
  • Intercept
  • Pummel
• Hunter
  • Arcane Shot
  • Concussive Shot
  • all stings
  • Counterattack

Note: Druid feral attacks were not normalized. They are unaffected by weapon speed. Mages, warlocks, and priests have no instant melee or ranged abilities.

Tips

With normalization the weapon speed is now less influential on the total damage per second of characters, although weapon speed still has a small influence because the base weapon damage of instant attacks is higher for slow weapons of same weapon dps. Nowadays weapons with higher weapon dps are generally preferred over ones with lower weapon dps (regardless of weapon speed), although there are exceptions like Windfury Weapon.