How is ATK computed?

[ad518]

I understand that attack power is generally proportional to their strength. But Wolfgang is immensely strong. Yet he throws such sissy punch! Probably only better than Marine, and only slightly. How is that?
I kept trying to find ways to enhance his attack power. Nothing seems to work, including power roots. The only thing I could do for him was to give him lobster key, to at least increase some damage. But, man, he is soooooo slow, too!

[Tomas]

ATK is based on different stats for each character - for example Hirado's ATK increases with MND. Bare Hands level influences ATK greatly, too.
The main stat for Wolfgang is STR, though, so increasing STR should help. But even when maxed, Wolfgang isn't particularly powerful, anyway.

[ad518]

Ah! Thanks. Enlightening!!
Never thought it varies with each person. I guess I just have to try different things on different characters, and see what works.

[Tomas]

The easy way how to find out is to equip a given character with an item boosting one stat and see if ATK changes. Please note that the correct ATK value only shows once the item is equipped, unlike the other stats which are affected directly.

P.s. It's also described in MM4 official guide.

[ad518]

Very true! This also makes me think of the effect of promotion. For instance, if I chose meditation lord for Hirado, the only one that increases his mind (150%, I think), it may be more effective in increasing his ATK than other choices. Make sense, right?

[ad518]

OK. Forget it. I put it to test. Both ATK and defense power dropped 10. Hmmmmm.....?

[Tomas]

Some of the promotions increase ATK directly, so the comparison can be tricky.
Anyway, you get different promotions for The Showdown, so not choosing an "optimal" one is not that big problem.

[Indinera]

Yes it mostly counts for the Luhana part of the game.