Breakpoints

This page lists vanilla information. Breakpoint values haven't changed in PD2, although Frozen Orb now uses "slow" sorc frames and Lightning now uses "normal" sorc frames instead of their original breakpoint frames.

Diablo 2 runs at 25 frames per second and events cannot occur in timeframes smaller than a single frame, so improvements to animation speeds (from stats like FCR, IAS, FHR, or FBR) are only realized in intervals of 1 frame or more. These intervals are called breakpoints.

Breakpoints depend on the character being animated, and in some cases, the weapon that character is wielding. Breakpoints for attack speed depend heavily on the wielded weapon(s) so people often use Attack Speed Calculators for them. Also see: Table of IAS Breakpoints

For example, a Sorceress with 100% FCR will cast "normal" spells in 9 frames (9/25 = 0.36 seconds). In order to cast those spells faster, she will need 5% more FCR for a total of 105% FCR, at which point she will cast those spells in 8 frames (8/25 = 0.32 seconds) instead.

Note: 1H Swinging Weapons includes 1-handed Axes/Maces/Swords, 2-handed Swords wielded in one hand, Throwing Axes, Scepters, Orbs, and Wands (all 1-handed weapons except Daggers, Throwing Knives, Javelins, and Claws)

Faster Cast Rate (FCR) Breakpoints
Animation Type	Frames per Animation
Animation Type	19	18	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7
Amazon	0	7	14	22	32	48	68	99	152
Assassin				0	8	16	27	42	65	102	174
Barbarian							0	9	20	37	63	105	200
Druid (Human)		0	4	10	19	30	46	68	99	163
Druid (Bear)				0	7	15	26	40	63	99	163
Druid (Wolf)				0	6	14	26	40	60	95	157
Necromancer					0	9	18	30	48	75	125
Paladin					0	9	18	30	48	75	125
Sorceress (Slow Spells)	0	7	15	23	35	52	78	117	194
Sorceress (Normal Spells)							0	9	20	37	63	105	200
Act 3 Mercenary - Iron Wolf			0	8	15	26	39	58	86	138

The only sorceress spell that uses "slow" frames is Frozen Orb - all other sorceress spells use "normal" frames

Faster Hit Recovery (FHR) Breakpoints
Animation Type	Frames per Animation
Animation Type	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2
Amazon							0	6	13	20	32	52	86	174	600
Assassin									0	7	15	27	48	86	200
Barbarian									0	7	15	27	48	86	200
Druid (Human, 1H Swinging Weapons)				0	3	7	13	19	29	42	63	99	174	456
Druid (Human, Other Weapons)					0	5	10	16	26	39	56	86	152	377
Druid (Bear)					0	5	10	16	24	37	54	86	152	360
Druid (Wolf)											0	9	20	42	86	280
Necromancer					0	5	10	16	26	39	56	86	152	377
Paladin (Spear/Staff)					0	3	7	13	20	32	48	75	120	280
Paladin (Other Weapons)									0	7	15	27	48	86	200
Sorceress			0	5	9	14	20	30	42	60	86	142	280
Act 1 Mercenary - Rogue Scout							0	6	13	20	32	52	86	174	600
Act 2 Mercenary - Desert Guard			0	5	9	14	20	30	42	60	86	142	280
Act 3 Mercenary - Iron Wolf	0	5	8	13	18	24	32	46	63	86	133	232	600
Act 5 Mercenary - Barbarian

Act 5 Barbarian does not have a hit recovery animation, so he cannot be put into hit recovery or knocked back

Faster Block Rate (FBR) Breakpoints
Animation Type	Frames per Animation
Animation Type	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Amazon (1H Swinging Weapons)	0	4	6	11	15	23	29	40	56	80	120	200	480
Amazon (Other Weapons)													0	13	32	86	600
Assassin													0	13	32	86	600
Barbarian											0	9	20	42	86	280
Druid (Human)							0	6	13	20	32	52	86	174	600
Druid (Bear)						0	5	10	16	27	40	65	109	223
Druid (Wolf)									0	7	15	27	48	86	200
Necromancer							0	6	13	20	32	52	86	174	600
Paladin (Normal)													0	13	32	86	600
Paladin (Holy Shield)																0	86
Sorceress									0	7	15	27	48	86	200
Act 3 Mercenary - Iron Wolf

Act 3 Iron Wolf does not have a blocking animation, so he cannot block even though he can equip shields