Are nold's really worth it for non decay mages? (in General)

So, I've been wondering which glove to use, and I ran a few numbers to test which glove would be better:

amf raw lvl: 100,000
dd raw lvl: 1,000,000

base amf effect: 0.10
with +10 nolds = 0.00 - 10% more damage, 10% less backlash
with +10 alatars = 0.09 - 10% more damage, 1% less backlash

Backlash reduction from nolds compared to AGs, if the DD is CoC:
Alatar backlash: 1,100,000*1.1*.09*.4 = 43,560
Nold backlash: 1,000,000*1.1*.00*.4 = 0
Diff: 43,560 - 0 = 43,560
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amf raw lvl: 100,000
dd raw lvl: 2,000,000

base amf effect: 0.06
with +10 nolds = 0.00 - 6% more damage, 6% less backlash
with +10 alatars = 0.05 - 10% more damage, 1% less backlash

Backlash reduction from nolds compared to AGs, if the DD is CoC:
Alatar backlash: 2,200,000*1.1*.05*.4 = 48,400
Nold backlash: 2,000,000*1.1*.00*.4 = 0
Diff: 48,400 - 0 = 48,400
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amf raw lvl: 500,000
dd raw lvl: 2,000,000

base amf effect: 0.18
with +10 nolds = 0.08 - 10% more damage, 10% less backlash
with +10 alatars = 0.17 - 10% more damage, 1% less backlash

Backlash reduction from nolds compared to AGs, if the DD is CoC:
Alatar backlash: 2,200,000*1.1*.17*.4 = 164,560
Nold backlash: 2,200,000*1.1*.08*.4 = 77,440
Diff: 164,560 - 77,440 = 87,120
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amf raw lvl: 1,000,000
dd raw lvl: 1,000,000

base amf effect: 0.5
with +10 nolds = 0.40 - 10% more damage, 10% less backlash
with +10 alatars = 0.46 - 10% more damage, 4% less backlash

Backlash reduction from nolds compared to AGs, if the DD is CoC:
Alatar backlash: 1,100,000*1.1*.46*.4 = 222,640
Nold backlash: 1,000,000*1.1*.40*.4 = 176,000
Diff: 222,640 - 176,000= 46,640
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amf raw lvl: 2,000,000
dd raw lvl: 1,000,000

base amf effect: 0.75
with +10 nolds = 0.65 - 10% more damage, 10% less backlash
with +10 alatars = 0.72 - 10% more damage, 3% less backlash

Backlash reduction from nolds compared to AGs, if the DD is CoC:
Alatar backlash: 1,100,000*1.1*.72*.4 = 348,480
Nold backlash: 1,000,000*1.1*.65*.4 = 286,000
Diff: 348,480 - 286,000 = 62,480

Based on these numbers, I can't say that nolds are that much better against amf. Even if the amf doubles the DD, as in the last situation, you only save 62k damage per round, but even with the nolds that is small compared to the 286k you are still taking.

And this is combined with the fact that nold's work against only AMF users, and is useless against DM, and I think alatars are much better.

Am I missing something here?

the fact that there IS a difference is what matters. not only does AMF do backlash, but it decreases damage too. so if you have a base decay, what are alatars going to do for you if AMF is 1.00? nothing, and the enemy recieves no damage.

but with nolds at +10, its .90 AMF and u WILL do damage.

Yes, the AG give 10% more spell level, not necessarily an increase of 10% damage after AMF.

In example 1 spell would actually be doing 100.1% of the original spell damage.

In example 2 it would be doing 104.5% of the original. As opposed to 100% with NSC

In example 3 it would be 91.3% of the original spell damage as opposed to 92% with NSC. This is the first case where NSC will net you more damage.

In example 4 it would be 59.4% and the NSC would give 60%.

In example 5 it would be 30.8$ while the NSC would give 35% of the original spell damage.

So essentially the more AMF you face you will deal more damage with NSC, though not by much.

ah good point nem, I forgot about that

I do not have the cold hard facts about the AG vs NSC.

I can only give you my experiences with both.

Using the AG helped a bit vs DM characters and hurt quite a lot vs high AMF ones. The AMF backlash was a killer. Especially since AC or PL do not help. The RBF now does and on this minion alone the AG may be better than NSC.

Using the NSC helped quite a lot vs heavy AMF characters. In some cases nerfing over 2+M levels of AMF into uselessness. I am sure novice's NSC do even better. Vs DM characters they, of course did not help.

So, from my personal experience, and this cannot be backed up with cold hard unwavering facts, the NSC do far better in all around mage gameplay.

However, I have not played a mage since the RBF gave AMF backlash resistance. In this case alone, perhaps the AG would be better all around.

Again, I have to stress this is my personal experience with the NSC and AG and is NOT supported by any cold hard facts. I have no tables to show you which is better or articles to quote. This is just my experience for you to take as you want.

Of course for decay mages, the NSC beat AG by a lot.

I'm not a numbers guy, all I can tell you is the ability to nullify AMF is a hugely powerful thing for a mage - as powerful as VA can be for a tank.

Doing more damage is important, but damage reduction is more so.

NSCs for the win.

My recomendation is to have a pair of both for your mages. Vs AMF use the Nold, vs DM use the AG. If you have a 40 person fight list and don't want to switch for specific people, then go through and see which targets you have more of and go with those gloves.