Diablo 3 plus % elemental damage overall or just on that elemental attack?
When an item says "+9% lightning damage" or something similar, does it mean I will get +9% damage regardless of whether I employ lightning damage as offense? Or does it just add the damage on top of what I already do?
If this will only add damage to lightning skills, what should I be looking for if I want added elemental damage when i'm not even using that particular element.
For example: Tal Rashas Set Bonuses for a Wizard.
This is a mixed bag.
If your weapon element matches the bonus elemental damage, OR if it is a black weapon. The bonus is added to your attack.
If your weapon element does NOT match, you will not gain the bonus when using a non-elemental attack (for instance, using a fire weapon and casting magic missile will not give you the added +% lightning bonus). This is mostly true but remember that weapons have a bit of base black damage so that may be added to the skill (you'll see a small up tick in DPS on your character).
If your weapon element does NOT match, BUT you use a skill that converts your damage to that element, you will get the % bonus for that skill attack. (i.e. casting shock pulse while wielding a fire weapon gets you the % lightning bonus).