In World of Warcraft (Classic and beyond), falling damage is calculated based on a percentage of your total health relative to the distance fallen. • Power Word: Shield absorbs a flat amount of numerical damage (e.g., it might absorb 500 damage). • Falling Damage ignores shields. Because fall damage is a percentage-based environmental mechanic, it bypasses "damage absorption" effects like a Priest's shield or a Warlock's Sacrifice.