Brittle

Brittle is part of the cross-class combos system in Dragon Age II.

It can only be inflicted by a mage. Warriors and rogues can exploit a brittle foe.

BRITTLE: increases critical damage taken by 50%

Spells that cause brittle

Elemental

Winter's Grasp

Activated Size: 1.5 m Activation: 20 Duration: 10s Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 2

The mage summons a blast of cold that injures and slows a single enemy. Cold damage: 4.5x Elemental force: 2x Enemy attack speed: -50% Enemy movement speed: -50%

Winter's Blast Upgrade Requires: Level 6 Requires: 2 points in Elemental

Winter's Grasp is now likely to freeze opponents, and may leave some in a BRITTLE state that warriors and rogues can exploit. Freeze chance: 100% vs. normal enemies BRITTLE chance: 40% vs. frozen targets

Cone of Cold

Activated Size: 12m semi-circle Activation: 30 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Level 4 Requires: Winter's Grasp

A cone of deadly ice shoots forth from the mage's hands to injure and slow opponents. Cold damage: 3.05x Elemental force: 2x Enemy attack speed: -75% Enemy movement speed: -75%

Deep Freeze Upgrade Requires: Level 8 Requires: 3 points in Elemental

The Cone of Cold freeze some enemies solid, and may even leave them BRITTLE, vulnerable to further attacks. Freeze chance: 60% vs. normal enemies BRITTLE chance: 20% vs. frozen targets

Elemental Mastery

Passive Requires: Level 10 Requires: Cone of Cold Requires: Firestorm Requires: 7 points in Elemental

The mage learns to command nature's two brutal extremes, mastering the dreadful effects of both fire and ice. Fire damage: +25% Cold damage: +25% Mana/stamina regeneration rate: +10 BRITTLE chance: 100% vs. frozen targets

Primal

Petrify

Activated Activation: 30 Duration: 12s Cooldown: 45s Requires: Level 4 Requires: Stonefist

The mage entombs an enemy in stone, leaving the foe temporarily unable to move. However, the target becomes more resistant to damage for the duration of the spell. Paralyze chance: 100% vs. any enemy Enemy damage resistance: +50%

Desiccate Upgrade Requires: Level 8 Requires: 3 points in Primal

Petrify now leaves the foe more exposed, decreasing protection from attacks and turning most enemies BRITTLE. Enemy damage resistance: -30% (total: +20%) BRITTLE chance: 100% vs. normal enemies

Spells/ Abilities that exploit brittle

Warrior

Two-Handed

Mighty Blow

Activated Activation: 20 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 2

The warrior leaps into the air, crashing down on foes with tremendous force. Physical damage: 4x Physical force: 2x

Shattering Blow Upgrade Requires: Level 8 Requires: 2 points in Two-Handed

Mighty Blow now crushes enemies who a mage has made BRITTLE. Cooldowns: -5s (total: 15s) Physical damage: 300% vs. BRITTLE targets Physical force: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets

Scythe

Activated Range: Unknown Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 5 Requires: Mighty Blow Requires: 2 points in Two-Handed

The warrior charges through enemy lines, felling combatants in the way. Physical damage: 3x Physical force: 2x

Reaper Upgrade Requires: Level 9

Scythe inflicts a great deal more pain, particularly against enemies a mage has made BRITTLE. Physical damage: +1.5x (total: 4.5x) Physical force: +1x (total: 3x) Physical damage: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets Physical force: 200% vs BRITTLE targets

Vanguard

Cleave

Activated Activation: 30 Duration: 10s Cooldown: 25s Requires: Level 6 Requires: Control Requires: Might Requires: 2 points in Vanguard

For a short time, the warrior's damage output increases tremendously. Damage: +75%

Claymore Upgrade Requires: Level 10 Requires: 4 points in Vanguard

The warrior now retains the damage bonus from Cleave for longer and leaves some opponents off-balance, ready for further exploitation by a mage or rogue. Duration: +5s (total: 15s) STAGGER chance 10% vs. normal enemies Stun chance 100% vs. BRITTLE targets

Rogue

Archery

Bursting Arrow

Activated Size: 5m sphere Activation: 30 Cooldown: 20s Requires: Level 3

This arrow explodes on impact showering the area in shrapnel and flame. Fire damage: 1.1x Elemental force: 3x

Shattering Arrow Upgrade Cooldown: 15s Requires: Level 9 Requires: 2 points in Archery

Bursting Arrow is now more powerful and can be used more frequently. Cooldown: -5s (total: 15s) Fire damage: 600% vs. BRITTLE targets Elemental force: 400% vs. BRITTLE targets

Archer's Lance

Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 30s Requires: Pinning Shot Requires: Bursting Arrow Requires: Level 7 Requires: 3 points in Archery

This arrow carries such force that it tears through every enemy along its deadly path. Physical damage: 1.7x vs. all enemies along path Physical force: 2x vs. all enemies along path Critical chance: 100% vs. targeted enemy

Punishing Lance Upgrade Requires: Level 11 Requires: 6 points in Archery

Archer's Lance scythes through weaker opponents. Deathblow vs. weaker enemies Physical damage: +0.85x (total: 2.55x) Physical damage: 600% vs. BRITTLE targets along path Physical force: 400% vs. BRITTLE targets along path

Assassin

Assassinate

Activated Activation: 40 Cooldown: 50s Requires: Level 10 Requires: Pinpoint Strikes

Assassinate kills weak enemies outright, while survivors suffer a massive critical hit. Deathblow vs. normal enemies Physical damage: * Dual wield: 7.3x * Archery: 4.5x Critical chance: 100%

Annihilate Upgrade Requires: Level 14 Requires: 3 points in Assassin

Assassinate now inflicts a critical hit against enemies who would otherwise be immune. It is even more devastating against BRITTLE targets. Physical damage: 200% vs. BRITTLE targets Cooldown: -10s (total: 40s)

External links

• "A "colorful" analysis of cross class combo" - Bioware Forums