Thorns damage doesn't apply Bleed with Berserk Ripping or Two-Handed Sword Expertise

PC Bug Report
1

Berserk Ripping and the Two-Handed Sword Expertise both say they apply a percent of their damage as Bleed when you deal direct damage (and are Berserking in the case of Berserk Ripping). Thorns, by definition, is direct damage, as it is damage applied immediately. However, Thorns does not apply a Bleed for either Berserk Ripping or the Two-Handed Sword Expertise. It does, however, work with Tough as Nails, which more directly applies a Bleed on Thorns damage.

Is this intentional? And the definition of “Direct Damage” is wrong and is supposed to exclude Thorns damage? Or is this a bug with Berserk Ripping and the Two-Handed Sword Expertise?

EDIT: Well, I accidentally deleted my reply to Jake and can’t repost it, so I’m just going to add it here…

Yeah, I had assumed Thorns would be excluded from “Direct Damage” but every D4 source online says otherwise, defining “Direct Damage” as “any damage dealt to enemies that is not from damage over time effects”. I guess it’s very possible that all the online sources are wrong. I had assumed those online definitions came from in the game somewhere, but maybe they’re just completely made up?

2

Not quite. It’s most likely indirect or retaliatory damage. At least for most games.

Direct Damage usually requires a hit or strike as in you attacking with a skill. Anyone hit by the skill takes direct damage. You could say it requires direction. You choose to attack something and hit them with a skill that immediately does damage.

With Thorns there is “no target” and definately no skill use. They are taking damage indirectly because of your thorns as a result of their hit on you. The damage is applied immediately, but you did not do that damage due to a strike; only a retaliation. You take direct damage, they take retaliation damage.

It would be cool if they applied, but I think the Direct Damage tag excludes them specifically and Thorns isn’t even a weapon attack so I don’t think THS Expert should apply anyway.

I could see the bleed triggering if there were aspects or affixes stating “When you are Hit, there is a % chance to counter with ” instead of thorns.
Because then at least a skill is being used autonomously to carry the direct damage component.