Attacks are made using specific attack types that define what the effect of an attack is:
The following attack types have direct damage properties which removes a targets hp to the value of the damage dealt from a successful attack (after resistances are factored in):
Indirect damage functions in a similar manner to direct damage, except it changes attributes of the defender (and attacker) other than hp to the advantage of the attacker. The following attack_types have indirect damage properties:
Information on attack types is available in Attack.h or defines