Grand Cross combines ATK and MATK, hits three times, applies defence asymmetrically, and hurts the caster — how each half is computed.
damage = (ATK + MATK) × (100 + 40 × rank)%
Holy element, delivered as three waves that are summed. Because both ATK and MATK feed the same number, a Grand Cross Crusader invests in STR and INT rather than choosing.
This is the part that surprises people. The physical half takes the target's hard and soft DEF as normal, while the magic half takes soft MDEF only — hard MDEF does not apply to it. That asymmetry was settled by calibrating against in-game screenshots of an INT Grand Cross against a Knight of Abyss (hard DEF 55, hard MDEF 50): applying both hard values undershot the real number badly, ignoring defence entirely overshot it, and the asymmetric reading landed on it.
It also means Provoke helps: cutting the target's DEF scales the physical half, which matches what players report.
Grand Cross hurts you too, in two parts:
Faith reduces both: its Holy resistance cuts the damage-based half (up to −50% at Lv10) and its +MaxHP raises the pool the 20% is taken from. The calculator shows the recoil as its own red panel rather than folding it into your damage.
No. The physical half takes hard and soft DEF normally, while the magic half takes only soft MDEF. Reducing a target's DEF with Provoke therefore does increase Grand Cross damage.
Two parts: the hit recalculated against your own defences and Holy resistance then halved, plus a flat 20% of your current HP. Faith reduces both, through Holy resistance and extra Max HP.
Both. The damage adds ATK and MATK together before the skill multiplier, so STR and INT contribute to the same number, with VIT for survivability and the recoil.
The calculator prints every step of this with your stats, gear and target, so you can check the numbers rather than take them on trust.
Builds this affects most: Crusader — Grand Cross (GC).
Payon Stories wiki — Grand Cross ↗ · RateMyServer skill database ↗ · Formulas as implemented in the calculator's engine, which is open about what it cannot yet model.
How damage is calculated on Payon Stories · The weapon size penalty, and Weapon Perfection · All mechanics · Build guides