by Samanna » Sun Mar 12, 2006 12:56 pm
While there's no reason to suspect that the reduction in effectiveness would be compounded (instead of a straight, in this case, 3.5% per level overcap), it is never wrong to question methodology; we've believed incorrect information in the past.
If you really want to test this, remove any extra mana regen effects and go note mana costs. Mem Talisman of Wunshi, 2340 base mana cost. You can tribute MP4 and see how much it winds up costing.
Current theory predicts it will cost 2223 (10-1-1-1-1-1=5% savings).
However, if your other suggestion is true, it should wind up costing 2199 (10-1=9, 9-.9=8.1, 8.1-.81=7.29, 7.29-.729=6.561, 6.561-.6561=5.9049% savings).
The difference should be large enough to be noticable if you record mana cost a few times each (to average in or factor out innate mana regen).