Nominal Damage
Damage from Powers is usually listed as "nominal damage", or perhaps a modifier such as "200% nominal damage".
Nominal damage is calculated as such:
- (Base dice + (stat + implement) * hands) * combo
 - Base Dice = 1d6
 - Stat = modifier of a single chosen ability score, usually your best mental stat
 - Implement = hit power from implement, if any
 - Hands = modifier based on the number of hands used to wield the spell. By default, you use two hands, and the modifier is 1; however, if dual-wielding spells, the modifier is 0.5.
 - Combo = by default, 1. When Empower is used, this increases by +1 per stack.
 
Note: critical damage multipliers apply after the above is calculated.
Note: this formula may change to accommodate new concepts of using skills to directly invest in spell damage. Stay tuned.