Sacrifice

Sacrifice is a game mechanic whereby characters forfeit a portion of their health to activate certain skills.

Description
Sacrifice is a component of skill cost, primarily seen on necromancer skills. Sacrifice costs are listed as a percentage of the character's maximum health and range from 2% to 33%. Because the percentage is based on maximum health, it is possible for a character to die by sacrificing more health than he or she currently has.

Unlike energy and adrenaline, the other main components of skill cost, sacrifice costs are not paid until the skill has finished activating. Canceling a skill or being interrupted will not trigger the sacrifice cost.

In terms of game mechanics, sacrifice is a sub-type of health loss that is different from damage and life stealing. Because of this, damage mitigation skills like Reversal of Fortune or Shelter will not trigger when a character sacrifices health.

Sacrifice skills
These skills have a health sacrifice cost (sacrifice amount is shown in parentheses). For a more detailed list, see Sacrifice skills quick reference.


 * 1) The sacrifice cost is increased by 2% for every minion healed by this skill.
 * 2) The sacrifice cost is omitted if you are within earshot of a spirit.

Related skills
These skills interact with sacrifice costs in various ways.

Modify sacrifice costs
 * is a self-enchantment that increases sacrifice costs by 50%.
 * is a hex that doubles all sacrifice costs for the affected targets.

Sacrifice triggered by effect
 * is an self-enchantment that causes a sacrifice of 10...6% every time you gain a new condition.
 * is a self-enchantment that causes a sacrifice of 5...3% every time you cast a spell.

Effect triggered by sacrifice
 * is an enchantment that deals damage to adjacent foes, at the cost of health loss.
 * is a self-enchantment that gives energy every time you sacrifice health.