What is AP and DP in BDO? A Comprehensive Guide

In the captivating world of Black Desert Online (BDO), understanding the intricacies of your character’s stats is crucial for success. Among these stats, Attack Power (AP) and Defense Power (DP) stand out as the core pillars of your character’s combat effectiveness. Simply put, AP determines how much damage you inflict, while DP dictates how much damage you can withstand. Mastering these two fundamental concepts is essential for any aspiring adventurer in BDO.

Understanding Attack Power (AP)

Attack Power (AP) is your primary offensive stat. It directly influences the amount of damage you deal to enemies. The higher your AP, the more significant your damage output. AP is not a singular, static number; it’s a complex value influenced by multiple factors:

• Base AP: This is the AP displayed in your equipment window, derived primarily from your equipped weapons and accessories.
• Bonus AP: BDO employs a system of AP brackets, which provide additional base AP once you reach certain thresholds. This bonus is also added to your base AP that appears in the equipment window.
• Extra AP Against Monsters: Some gear and buffs provide bonus AP specifically against monsters, a crucial factor for grinding efficiency. This bonus AP does NOT count towards your base sheet AP used to calculate your AP bracket.
• Awakening AP: If using the Succession combat style, 30% of your awakening AP contributes to your total damage output as well.
• Buffs and Consumables: Various buffs, such as food, elixirs, and draughts, can provide temporary increases to your AP.
• Skill Passives: Certain character skills offer passive AP increases, further enhancing your damage potential.

How to Calculate Total AP

Calculating your total AP involves a few steps:

1. View your “Sheet AP”: This is the number displayed in your equipment window. This number includes all your base AP, and AP gained from bracket bonuses.
2. Add Extra AP Against Monsters: Open your character inventory and click “My Stats.” Your total AP is your Sheet AP plus the displayed “Extra AP Against Monsters.”
3. Factor in Buffs and Passives: Ensure you consider all active buffs and passive skill bonuses to get an accurate picture of your actual AP in combat.

Understanding Defense Power (DP)

Defense Power (DP) is the foundation of your character’s survivability. The higher your DP, the less damage you’ll take from enemy attacks. Like AP, DP is influenced by various sources:

• Base DP: This is the DP derived from your equipped armor and accessories and displayed in your equipment window.
• Bonus DP: Similar to AP, BDO also features DP brackets, which provide bonus DP upon reaching certain thresholds. This bonus is also added to your base DP that appears in the equipment window.
• Buffs and Consumables: Various buffs and consumables can temporarily boost your DP.
• Skill Passives: Certain character skills grant passive DP increases, enhancing your durability.

Why DP is Critical

DP is not simply about reducing damage; it also mitigates the effectiveness of certain status effects and crowd control. A high DP build makes it significantly more difficult for opponents to inflict substantial damage and can greatly enhance your resilience in battles.

AP and DP Brackets: The Key to Optimization

The AP and DP bracket system in BDO is a cornerstone of character progression. These brackets reward players for reaching specific thresholds of their sheet AP and DP. For example, hitting the first 100 AP bracket might grant a bonus of 5 base AP. These bonuses significantly boost your character’s combat efficiency, especially as you approach higher thresholds. The bracket bonuses are automatically calculated and added to your sheet AP or sheet DP when you have the necessary stats.

It is essential to understand that ONLY your “sheet AP” and “sheet DP”, which is the AP/DP shown in your equipment window, count towards the AP/DP brackets. All hidden AP/DP and any extra AP vs monster stats will not count.

The Interplay Between AP and DP

Achieving balance between AP and DP is critical for optimal performance in BDO. A character with high AP but low DP might inflict considerable damage but be easily defeated, while a character with high DP but low AP may survive longer but struggle to deal substantial damage. The optimal build is therefore, dependent on personal preference, and the needs of the player. Many players will switch between different gear sets based on the game mode (grinding, PvP, etc.) they are participating in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does AP stand for in BDO?

AP stands for Attack Power. It’s your character’s primary offensive statistic, which directly influences the amount of damage you deal to enemies.

2. What does DP stand for in BDO?

DP stands for Defense Power. It’s your character’s primary defensive statistic, which determines the amount of damage you can withstand from enemy attacks.

3. How do AP and DP brackets work in BDO?

AP and DP brackets are thresholds that provide additional bonus AP or DP when you reach certain levels of your sheet AP or DP. These bonuses are a critical element of character progression and are a good way of determining your character’s level of progression.

4. Does hidden AP or DP count towards brackets?

No, only your “sheet AP” and “sheet DP,” which is the AP/DP shown in your equipment window, count towards the AP/DP brackets. All hidden AP/DP will not count.

5. How do I calculate my total AP in BDO?

Your total AP is your sheet AP plus your “Extra AP Against Monsters”. Your “sheet AP” includes the bonus AP you received from bracket bonuses. Both these numbers are viewable in your stat window.

6. Does Awakening AP affect Succession damage?

Yes, if you choose the Succession style, 30% of your Awakening AP will still be applied to your Succession skill damage and the item effects on the awakening weapon.

7. What is gear score in BDO?

Gear score is a numerical value based on your character’s Attack Power (including awakened AP) and Defense Power. It’s supposed to give you an indication of your potential combat performance.

8. What is the “soft cap” for AP and DP in BDO?

As of recent updates, the soft cap is considered to be around 310 AP and 400 DP. This is the level where additional improvements are still useful, but will have a diminishing returns.

9. What is the highest level attainable in BDO?

The current highest level attained in the game is level 67. However, getting to level 64 and beyond takes an extensive amount of time, with diminishing returns on the benefits from leveling.

10. What is the difference between Awakening and Succession in BDO?

Awakening transforms your character into a new style of gameplay with a new weapon. Succession enhances your pre-awakening combat style by empowering your existing skills.

11. How do I choose Succession in BDO?

After completing your awakening quest, you’ll also receive a succession quest from the Black Spirit. Completing this quest gives you the option to play succession. You can change between succession and awakening at any time from the skills window.

12. What are some ways to increase my AP and DP in BDO?

You can increase your AP and DP through:

• Equipping better gear.
• Enhancing your gear.
• Using accessories.
• Utilizing buffs and consumables.
• Improving your character’s skills.

13. What is the significance of Karma in BDO?

Karma in BDO affects your interactions with NPCs and other players. Killing innocent adventurers or protected fauna can lead to negative karma, which has consequences like being flagged for PvP or higher penalties from death.

14. How long does it take to get to 700 gear score in BDO?

Reaching 700 gear score is a significant endeavor that can take around 1500-1600 hours of grinding, on average.

15. What happens to Tuvala gear after the season ends in BDO?

Season-exclusive Tuvala gear can be exchanged for non-season Tuvala gear, which can be equipped by any character. These post-season Tuvala gear pieces can also be exchanged for boss gear.

Conclusion

Understanding AP and DP is fundamental to mastering Black Desert Online. By carefully managing your gear, utilizing buffs, and strategically improving your stats, you can craft a character that excels in both offense and defense. Be sure to also understand the AP and DP brackets and plan your progression accordingly. Mastering the balance between AP and DP is a key element of player success in this immersive MMORPG.