Rune of Absorption and Damage Reduction

Hey guys, before I ask the question, I just want to say that I know this question probably have been asked before. However, I found a lot of contradicting information online on this topic and just want to clear this up. Sorry if this is very nooby.

First of all, is the damage reduction by runes of absorption local (apply to the piece of armor it's attached to only) or global (apply to your character regardless of which armor piece is hit during combat. Wiki says it's global, but the info might be old, also I've heard people on other forums say it's local, however that might also be old too. The fact that it's non-stackable kind of make it seem global; however, the price is just way too cheap for global (major: 100g, superior: 200-300 I forgot the exact amount). So can someone who's sure about this tell me whether runes of absorption is really local or global. I currently have a major absorption rune attached to all five pieces of my armor.

Also, on wiki it says that warrior Ascalon and Knight's (Templar) armors have a built-in 3 damage reduction vs. physical damage (like a superior absorption rune). However, it does not say so in the armor description in game. So was this changed in an update, or is just a rumor, or am I just misunderstanding?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds and helps to answer my questions!

When I went through the trouble of testing this I found that the damage reduction was local, however, I tested it a couple patches ago and I have been around during numerous "Invisible" updates from Anet which may well have changed this rune/armor/damage interaction seeing as they REALLY don't like releasing information about the game "physics". The official wiki imo has more accurate information relating to this, incomparison to the unofficial wiki which is very large but is not maintained as well down to the individual article level. Hope this has helped a bit (even if I just rambled =P).

PS -- The most reliable way to test game mechanics is to go out and do it yourself! Make your own conclusions and stand behind them, always a good skill to have ^^.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Absorption

Runes
Insignias

AFAIK absorption runes are global and nonstacking while the knights armor insignia is local. Knights armor used to be global but was changed.

I've seen that article. But wiki also says that warrior Ascalon and Knight's (Templar) armors have a built-in 3 damage reduction vs. physical damage (like a superior absorption rune). But I don't think this is true. So could the whole article just be outdated?

from said official wiki.

edit: lol, already posted

But wiki says something about Ascalon Armor having a built in damage reduction. What does that mean?

Like I said, many of the wiki articles are outdated because of updates and it would probably be faster to just go out on a pvp char to IotN and test it out with all superior absorption runes then 3 superior absorption runes (head, chest, legs) and the last set with only one superior absorption rune on the chest.

Yes but wiki can be old and outdated. Has anyone actually tried this recently? I heard that Anet does updates and changes from time to time.

Ehemm, Said the exact same thing... 3 times?
If everyone else really is to lazy to go and do this then Iw ill be happy to test it out in a couple trials within the hour....

tyvm, I'd love to hear the conclusion from you.

Alright, npm. I will get on it once I actually get back to a computer with GW on it ^^
Expect to get a definite answer back by... 5:40 GMT ish

I can't express how thankful I am. You rock!

lol yea, npm
Do people want the data tables etc on the hits I recieve?
I am most likely going to keep them stashed away in my GW reference folder in anticipation of the next time I see this question asked ^^
Just hit me with a yay or nay and I will attach it if enough people want me to.

Oh yes, I'd love to see the data.

You say wiki says that Ascalon armor has a built in damage reduction? That info is old, way old (as in before the insignia system was introduced). That functionality got replaced by the Knight's insignia.

Alright in that case it will be a little bit longer than I had said earlier ^^
the fact that I just missed my bus may add into that as well =P
I'll get it up asap though with the data

Oh, you don't have to do it if it costs you a lot of time.

It's all good, I always like doing some of this kind of research ^^
Just catching my bus now so I should finish up what is left in a couple minutes once I get home =D

This is my answer.
1. It's global, you only need ONE. 2+ = waste. That explained the note "Non-Stacking"
2. It ONLY reduce ANY kind of physical dmg. That is "Piercing", "Blunt" and "Slashing". That mean if your have a Fiery Sword, it will NOT effect.
3. Reason why it's so cheap is because of above. Not worth it. Most warrior prefer using a Reduce Blind, +50 HP, 1 Minor/Major axe/sword/hammer, 1 +1 Str and 1 +2 energy. +2 Energy is much better than having a -3 dmg from Physical because Warrior have + armor vs physical itself already.

In reference to the Ascalon/Knight armor from Prophecies. The armor system for all campaigns was updated to an insignia system. What this means? The armor you buy has a specific look/art, but has no extra bonuses on it. It is a plain basic set that you have to add bonuses to with Insignias and Runes (prefix and suffix, respectively).

With that update, some armor arts changed names, some did not.

This info is correct on wiki: http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Warrior_armor

Ascalon armor is now called Charr Hide armor, Knight's armor is Templar armor.

Absorption runes are most definitely gobal. I just tested this yesterday.