Fortification is a stackable buff that grants the player 1% less damage taken from hits. By default, it has a maximum of 20 stacks and lasts 5 seconds. The amount of stacks gained depends on a combination of the strength of the hit (ignores the target’s damage reduction) and the enemy’s ailment threshold. This does not apply to damage over time, since it does not hit.
Melee Hits Fortify Fortify Mastery
Melee Hits Fortify
-3 to maximum Fortification
Guide
Fortifying grants an amount of Fortification based on the Damage of the Hit
Take 1% less Damage from Hits per Fortification. Maximum 20 Fortification. Fortification lasts 5 seconds
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Sources of Fortification
Fortification can be gained by multiples sources which split into two categories, those that go through regular rules of fortification (Hit) and those that works as buff with a limited amount of Fortification. The sources are the following:
The Hits:
Fortify Support is the most simple source, having no drawback. Advancing Fortress supports the skill gems with it
One of the Fortify Mastery can also gives you Melee Hits Fortify but at the cost of -3 Maximum Fortification
The Ascendant’s Champion ascendancy passive skill gives Melee Hits have 50% chance to Fortify making it easier to keep the Fortification at its maximum
Multiples mods found on influenced weapons or belts, once again giving a chance to fortify
Perseverance gives Melee Hits which stuns Fortify making it hard to keep the Fortification on bosses and impossible if they’re immune to stun
Vigilant Strike grants fortification with a base duration of more than 8 seconds (instead of 5), the cost being that it has a cooldown, bypassable by expending an endurance charge
Overlord, a notable found on Mace and Staff Large Cluster Jewels grants fortification with a base duration of 6 seconds to melee hits with Maces, Sceptres or Staves.
Overwhelming Odds doesn’t have any drawback but only works with Cleave
An helmet enchantement for Shattering Steel, but only works at close range
The Buffs
The Champion’s Fortitude ascendancy passive skill grants 20 Fortification.
Kingmaker grants +10 Fortification to nearby allies.
Maximum Fortification stacks
Increasing the maximum Fortification by 80 stacks will provide 100% less damage taken from hits. Up to 67 stacks can be attained by combining all of the following:
+15 stacks from Beacon of Madness, but only while affected by Glorious Madness
+10 stacks from the unveiled mod +10 to maximum Fortification while Focused, but only while you have Focus (Crafting Bench versions are +6/+7)
+14 stacks from a nearby Dread Banner boosted by Perfidy, but only for a limited amount of time
+6 stacks from 3 skill tree nodes including Steadfast, and 2 small skill nodes
+3 stacks from the Fortify Mastery
+3 stacks from a Penitent Mask helmet base type or its sister variants (+5 for legacy item)
+2 stacks from dual-wielded Ichimonji coupled with Dread Banner
Up to 14 stacks added to passives by the best known roll of Lethal Pride (need proof)
It’s possible to reach 80+ in standard thanks to legacy items