diff --git a/common/src/combat.rs b/common/src/combat.rs
index cdd5be06c6..0b4f503e61 100644
--- a/common/src/combat.rs
+++ b/common/src/combat.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ use crate::{
             },
             slot::EquipSlot,
         },
-        poise::PoiseChange,
         skills::SkillGroupKind,
         Alignment, Body, CharacterState, Combo, Energy, Health, HealthChange, Inventory, Ori,
         Player, Poise, SkillSet, Stats,
@@ -281,8 +280,8 @@ impl Attack {
                             }
                         },
                         CombatEffect::Poise(p) => {
-                            let change = PoiseChange::from_value(*p, target.inventory);
-                            if change.amount != 0 {
+                            let change = -Poise::apply_poise_reduction(*p, target.inventory);
+                            if change.abs() > Poise::POISE_EPSILON {
                                 emit(ServerEvent::PoiseChange {
                                     entity: target.entity,
                                     change,
@@ -409,8 +408,8 @@ impl Attack {
                         }
                     },
                     CombatEffect::Poise(p) => {
-                        let change = PoiseChange::from_value(p, target.inventory);
-                        if change.amount != 0 {
+                        let change = -Poise::apply_poise_reduction(p, target.inventory);
+                        if change.abs() > Poise::POISE_EPSILON {
                             emit(ServerEvent::PoiseChange {
                                 entity: target.entity,
                                 change,
diff --git a/common/src/comp/body.rs b/common/src/comp/body.rs
index e4cfc07e56..82316716dc 100644
--- a/common/src/comp/body.rs
+++ b/common/src/comp/body.rs
@@ -774,7 +774,7 @@ impl Body {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn base_poise(&self) -> u32 {
+    pub fn base_poise(&self) -> u16 {
         match self {
             Body::Humanoid(_) => 100,
             Body::BipedLarge(biped_large) => match biped_large.species {
diff --git a/common/src/comp/mod.rs b/common/src/comp/mod.rs
index c41978ddcd..2a602efe17 100644
--- a/common/src/comp/mod.rs
+++ b/common/src/comp/mod.rs
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ pub use self::{
     },
     player::DisconnectReason,
     player::Player,
-    poise::{Poise, PoiseChange, PoiseSource, PoiseState},
+    poise::{Poise, PoiseState},
     projectile::{Projectile, ProjectileConstructor},
     shockwave::{Shockwave, ShockwaveHitEntities},
     skills::{Skill, SkillGroup, SkillGroupKind, SkillSet},
diff --git a/common/src/comp/poise.rs b/common/src/comp/poise.rs
index 8cbbdf1067..b7dfe5e81d 100644
--- a/common/src/comp/poise.rs
+++ b/common/src/comp/poise.rs
@@ -1,94 +1,42 @@
-use crate::comp::{
-    inventory::item::{armor::Protection, ItemKind},
-    Body, Inventory,
+use crate::{
+    comp::{
+        self,
+        inventory::item::{armor::Protection, ItemKind},
+        Inventory,
+    },
+    util::Dir,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use specs::{Component, DerefFlaggedStorage};
 use specs_idvs::IdvStorage;
+use std::ops::Mul;
 use vek::*;
 
-/// A change in the poise component. Stores the amount as a signed
-/// integer to allow for added or removed poise. Also has a field to
-/// label where the poise change came from.
-#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct PoiseChange {
-    /// Value of the change in poise
-    pub amount: i32,
-    /// Source of change in poise
-    pub source: PoiseSource,
-}
-
-impl PoiseChange {
-    /// Alters poise damage as a result of armor poise damage reduction
-    pub fn modify_poise_damage(self, inventory: Option<&Inventory>) -> PoiseChange {
-        let poise_damage_reduction = inventory.map_or(0.0, Poise::compute_poise_damage_reduction);
-        let poise_damage = self.amount as f32 * (1.0 - poise_damage_reduction);
-        // Add match on poise source when different calculations per source
-        // are needed/wanted
-        PoiseChange {
-            amount: poise_damage as i32,
-            source: self.source,
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// Creates a poise change from a float
-    pub fn from_value(poise_damage: f32, inventory: Option<&Inventory>) -> Self {
-        let poise_damage_reduction = inventory.map_or(0.0, Poise::compute_poise_damage_reduction);
-        let poise_change = -poise_damage * (1.0 - poise_damage_reduction);
-        Self {
-            amount: poise_change as i32,
-            source: PoiseSource::Attack,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/// Sources of poise change
-#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Eq, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub enum PoiseSource {
-    LevelUp,
-    Attack,
-    Explosion,
-    Falling,
-    Revive,
-    Regen,
-    Other,
-}
-
-/// Poise component
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+/// Poise is represented by u32s within the module, but treated as a float by
+/// the rest of the game.
+// As a general rule, all input and output values to public functions should be
+// floats rather than integers.
 pub struct Poise {
-    /// Base poise amount for this entity
-    base_max: u32,
-    /// Poise of entity at any given moment
+    // Current and base_max are scaled by 256 within this module compared to what is visible to
+    // outside this module. The scaling is done to allow poise to function as a fixed point while
+    // still having the advantages of being an integer. The scaling of 256 was chosen so that max
+    // poise could be u16::MAX - 1, and then the scaled poise could fit inside an f32 with no
+    // precision loss
+    /// Current poise is how much poise the entity currently has
     current: u32,
-    /// Maximum poise of entity at a given time
+    /// Base max is the amount of poise the entity has without considering
+    /// temporary modifiers such as buffs
+    base_max: u32,
+    /// Maximum is the amount of poise the entity has after temporary modifiers
+    /// are considered
     maximum: u32,
-    /// Last poise change, storing time since last change, the change itself,
-    /// and the knockback direction vector
-    pub last_change: (f64, PoiseChange, Vec3<f32>),
+    /// Direction that the last poise change came from
+    pub last_change: Dir,
     /// Rate of poise regeneration per tick. Starts at zero and accelerates.
     pub regen_rate: f32,
 }
 
-impl Default for Poise {
-    fn default() -> Self {
-        Self {
-            current: 0,
-            maximum: 0,
-            base_max: 0,
-            last_change: (
-                0.0,
-                PoiseChange {
-                    amount: 0,
-                    source: PoiseSource::Revive,
-                },
-                Vec3::zero(),
-            ),
-            regen_rate: 0.0,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// States to define effects of a poise change
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Eq, Hash)]
 pub enum PoiseState {
@@ -105,95 +53,77 @@ pub enum PoiseState {
 }
 
 impl Poise {
-    /// Creates a new poise struct based on the body it is being assigned to
-    pub fn new(body: Body) -> Self {
-        let mut poise = Poise::default();
-        poise.update_base_max(Some(body));
-        poise.set_maximum(poise.base_max);
-        poise.set_to(poise.maximum, PoiseSource::Revive);
+    /// Maximum value allowed for poise before scaling
+    const MAX_POISE: u16 = u16::MAX - 1;
+    /// The maximum value allowed for current and maximum poise
+    /// Maximum value is (u16:MAX - 1) * 256, which only requires 24 bits. This
+    /// can fit into an f32 with no loss to precision
+    // Cast to u32 done as u32::from cannot be called inside constant
+    const MAX_SCALED_POISE: u32 = Self::MAX_POISE as u32 * Self::SCALING_FACTOR_INT;
+    /// Used when comparisons to poise are needed outside this module.
+    // This value is chosen as anything smaller than this is more precise than our
+    // units of poise.
+    pub const POISE_EPSILON: f32 = 0.5 / Self::MAX_SCALED_POISE as f32;
+    /// The amount poise is scaled by within this module
+    const SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT: f32 = 256.;
+    const SCALING_FACTOR_INT: u32 = Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT as u32;
 
-        poise
+    /// Returns the current value of poise casted to a float
+    pub fn current(&self) -> f32 { self.current as f32 / Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT }
+
+    /// Returns the base maximum value of poise casted to a float
+    pub fn base_max(&self) -> f32 { self.base_max as f32 / Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT }
+
+    /// Returns the maximum value of poise casted to a float
+    pub fn maximum(&self) -> f32 { self.maximum as f32 / Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT }
+
+    /// Returns the fraction of poise an entity has remaining
+    pub fn fraction(&self) -> f32 { self.current() / self.maximum().max(1.0) }
+
+    /// Updates the maximum value for poise
+    pub fn update_maximum(&mut self, modifiers: comp::stats::StatsModifier) {
+        let maximum = modifiers
+            .compute_maximum(self.base_max())
+            .mul(Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT)
+            // NaN does not need to be handled here as rust will automatically change to 0 when casting to u32
+            .clamp(0.0, Self::MAX_SCALED_POISE as f32) as u32;
+        self.maximum = maximum;
+        self.current = self.current.min(self.maximum);
     }
 
-    /// Returns knockback as a Vec3
-    pub fn knockback(&self) -> Vec3<f32> { self.last_change.2 }
-
-    /// Defines the poise states based on fraction of maximum poise
-    pub fn poise_state(&self) -> PoiseState {
-        if self.current >= 7 * self.maximum / 10 {
-            PoiseState::Normal
-        } else if self.current >= 5 * self.maximum / 10 {
-            PoiseState::Interrupted
-        } else if self.current >= 4 * self.maximum / 10 {
-            PoiseState::Stunned
-        } else if self.current >= 2 * self.maximum / 10 {
-            PoiseState::Dazed
-        } else {
-            PoiseState::KnockedDown
+    pub fn new(body: comp::Body) -> Self {
+        let poise = u32::from(body.base_poise()) * Self::SCALING_FACTOR_INT;
+        Poise {
+            current: poise,
+            base_max: poise,
+            maximum: poise,
+            last_change: Dir::default(),
+            regen_rate: 0.0,
         }
     }
 
-    /// Gets the current poise value
-    pub fn current(&self) -> u32 { self.current }
-
-    /// Gets the maximum poise value
-    pub fn maximum(&self) -> u32 { self.maximum }
-
-    /// Gets the base_max value
-    pub fn base_max(&self) -> u32 { self.base_max }
-
-    /// Sets the poise value to a provided value. First cuts off the value
-    /// at the maximum. In most cases change_by() should be used.
-    pub fn set_to(&mut self, amount: u32, cause: PoiseSource) {
-        let amount = amount.min(self.maximum);
-        self.last_change = (
-            0.0,
-            PoiseChange {
-                amount: amount as i32 - self.current as i32,
-                source: cause,
-            },
-            Vec3::zero(),
-        );
-        self.current = amount;
+    pub fn change_by(&mut self, change: f32, impulse: Vec3<f32>) {
+        self.current = (((self.current() + change).clamp(0.0, f32::from(Self::MAX_POISE))
+            * Self::SCALING_FACTOR_FLOAT) as u32)
+            .min(self.maximum);
+        self.last_change = Dir::from_unnormalized(impulse).unwrap_or_default();
     }
 
-    /// Changes the current poise due to an in-game effect.
-    pub fn change_by(&mut self, change: PoiseChange, impulse: Vec3<f32>) {
-        self.current = ((self.current as i32 + change.amount).max(0) as u32).min(self.maximum);
-        self.last_change = (
-            0.0,
-            PoiseChange {
-                amount: change.amount,
-                source: change.source,
-            },
-            impulse,
-        );
-    }
-
-    /// Resets current value to maximum
     pub fn reset(&mut self) { self.current = self.maximum; }
 
-    /// Sets the maximum and updates the current value to max out at the new
-    /// maximum
-    pub fn set_maximum(&mut self, amount: u32) {
-        self.maximum = amount;
-        self.current = self.current.min(self.maximum);
-    }
+    /// Returns knockback as a Dir
+    /// Kept as helper function should additional fields ever be added to last
+    /// change
+    pub fn knockback(&self) -> Dir { self.last_change }
 
-    /// Sets the `Poise` base_max
-    fn set_base_max(&mut self, amount: u32) {
-        self.base_max = amount;
-        self.current = self.current.min(self.maximum);
-    }
-
-    /// Resets the maximum to the base_max. Example use would be a potion
-    /// wearing off
-    pub fn reset_max(&mut self) { self.maximum = self.base_max; }
-
-    /// Sets the base_max based on the entity `Body`
-    pub fn update_base_max(&mut self, body: Option<Body>) {
-        if let Some(body) = body {
-            self.set_base_max(body.base_poise());
+    /// Defines the poise states based on current poise value
+    pub fn poise_state(&self) -> PoiseState {
+        match self.current() {
+            x if x > 70.0 => PoiseState::Normal,
+            x if x > 50.0 => PoiseState::Interrupted,
+            x if x > 40.0 => PoiseState::Stunned,
+            x if x > 20.0 => PoiseState::Dazed,
+            _ => PoiseState::KnockedDown,
         }
     }
 
@@ -218,6 +148,14 @@ impl Poise {
             None => 1.0,
         }
     }
+
+    /// Modifies a poise change when optionally given an inventory to aid in
+    /// calculation of poise damage reduction
+    pub fn apply_poise_reduction(value: f32, inventory: Option<&Inventory>) -> f32 {
+        inventory.map_or(value, |inv| {
+            value * (1.0 - Poise::compute_poise_damage_reduction(inv))
+        })
+    }
 }
 
 impl Component for Poise {
diff --git a/common/src/effect.rs b/common/src/effect.rs
index 13a49e1a20..c55b338b71 100644
--- a/common/src/effect.rs
+++ b/common/src/effect.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum Effect {
     Health(comp::HealthChange),
-    PoiseChange(comp::PoiseChange),
+    Poise(f32),
     Damage(combat::Damage),
     Buff(BuffEffect),
 }
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Effect {
     pub fn info(&self) -> String {
         match self {
             Effect::Health(c) => format!("{:+} health", c.amount),
-            Effect::PoiseChange(c) => format!("{:+} poise", c.amount),
+            Effect::Poise(p) => format!("{:+} poise", p),
             Effect::Damage(d) => format!("{:+}", d.value),
             Effect::Buff(e) => format!("{:?} buff", e),
         }
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ impl Effect {
     pub fn is_harm(&self) -> bool {
         match self {
             Effect::Health(c) => c.amount < 0.0,
-            Effect::PoiseChange(c) => c.amount < 0,
+            Effect::Poise(p) => *p < 0.0,
             Effect::Damage(_) => true,
             Effect::Buff(e) => !e.kind.is_buff(),
         }
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ impl Effect {
             Effect::Health(change) => {
                 change.amount *= modifier;
             },
-            Effect::PoiseChange(change) => {
-                change.amount = (change.amount as f32 * modifier) as i32;
+            Effect::Poise(poise) => {
+                *poise *= modifier;
             },
             Effect::Damage(damage) => {
                 damage.interpolate_damage(modifier, 0.0);
diff --git a/common/src/event.rs b/common/src/event.rs
index 6dfe89f24b..d3a22423d8 100644
--- a/common/src/event.rs
+++ b/common/src/event.rs
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ pub enum ServerEvent {
     },
     PoiseChange {
         entity: EcsEntity,
-        change: comp::PoiseChange,
+        change: f32,
         kb_dir: Vec3<f32>,
     },
     Delete(EcsEntity),
diff --git a/common/systems/src/character_behavior.rs b/common/systems/src/character_behavior.rs
index 1ff200a097..f43fc53a05 100644
--- a/common/systems/src/character_behavior.rs
+++ b/common/systems/src/character_behavior.rs
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                         });
                         server_emitter.emit(ServerEvent::Knockback {
                             entity,
-                            impulse: 5.0 * poise.knockback(),
+                            impulse: 5.0 * *poise.knockback(),
                         });
                     },
                     PoiseState::Dazed => {
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                         });
                         server_emitter.emit(ServerEvent::Knockback {
                             entity,
-                            impulse: 10.0 * poise.knockback(),
+                            impulse: 10.0 * *poise.knockback(),
                         });
                     },
                     PoiseState::KnockedDown => {
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                         });
                         server_emitter.emit(ServerEvent::Knockback {
                             entity,
-                            impulse: 10.0 * poise.knockback(),
+                            impulse: 10.0 * *poise.knockback(),
                         });
                     },
                 }
diff --git a/common/systems/src/stats.rs b/common/systems/src/stats.rs
index 2101f37f33..19841b5faf 100644
--- a/common/systems/src/stats.rs
+++ b/common/systems/src/stats.rs
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ use common::{
     comp::{
         self,
         skills::{GeneralSkill, Skill},
-        Body, CharacterState, Combo, Energy, Health, Inventory, Poise, PoiseChange, PoiseSource,
-        Pos, SkillSet, Stats, StatsModifier,
+        Body, CharacterState, Combo, Energy, Health, Inventory, Poise, Pos, SkillSet, Stats,
+        StatsModifier,
     },
     event::{EventBus, ServerEvent},
     outcome::Outcome,
@@ -75,15 +75,10 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
 
         // Increment last change timer
         healths.set_event_emission(false); // avoid unnecessary syncing
-        poises.set_event_emission(false); // avoid unnecessary syncing
         for mut health in (&mut healths).join() {
             health.last_change.0 += f64::from(dt);
         }
-        for mut poise in (&mut poises).join() {
-            poise.last_change.0 += f64::from(dt);
-        }
         healths.set_event_emission(true);
-        poises.set_event_emission(true);
 
         // Update stats
         for (entity, uid, stats, mut skill_set, mut health, pos, mut energy, inventory) in (
@@ -217,15 +212,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
 
                     if res_poise {
                         let poise = &mut *poise;
-                        poise.change_by(
-                            PoiseChange {
-                                amount: (poise.regen_rate * dt
-                                    + POISE_REGEN_ACCEL * dt.powi(2) / 2.0)
-                                    as i32,
-                                source: PoiseSource::Regen,
-                            },
-                            Vec3::zero(),
-                        );
+                        poise.change_by(poise.regen_rate * dt, Vec3::zero());
                         poise.regen_rate = (poise.regen_rate + POISE_REGEN_ACCEL * dt).min(10.0);
                     }
                 },
diff --git a/server/src/events/entity_manipulation.rs b/server/src/events/entity_manipulation.rs
index 66333056ee..5b647d9dfc 100644
--- a/server/src/events/entity_manipulation.rs
+++ b/server/src/events/entity_manipulation.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use common::{
         chat::{KillSource, KillType},
         inventory::item::MaterialStatManifest,
         object, Alignment, Auras, Body, CharacterState, Energy, Group, Health, HealthChange,
-        Inventory, Player, Poise, PoiseChange, PoiseSource, Pos, SkillSet, Stats,
+        Inventory, Player, Poise, Pos, SkillSet, Stats,
     },
     event::{EventBus, ServerEvent},
     lottery::{LootSpec, Lottery},
@@ -40,12 +40,7 @@ use specs::{join::Join, saveload::MarkerAllocator, Builder, Entity as EcsEntity,
 use tracing::error;
 use vek::{Vec2, Vec3};
 
-pub fn handle_poise(
-    server: &Server,
-    entity: EcsEntity,
-    change: PoiseChange,
-    knockback_dir: Vec3<f32>,
-) {
+pub fn handle_poise(server: &Server, entity: EcsEntity, change: f32, knockback_dir: Vec3<f32>) {
     let ecs = &server.state.ecs();
     if let Some(character_state) = ecs.read_storage::<CharacterState>().get(entity) {
         // Entity is invincible to poise change during stunned/staggered character state
@@ -620,11 +615,8 @@ pub fn handle_land_on_ground(server: &Server, entity: EcsEntity, vel: Vec3<f32>)
         }
         // Handle poise change
         if let Some(mut poise) = ecs.write_storage::<comp::Poise>().get_mut(entity) {
-            let poise_damage = PoiseChange {
-                amount: -(mass.0 * vel.magnitude_squared() / 1500.0) as i32,
-                source: PoiseSource::Falling,
-            };
-            let poise_change = poise_damage.modify_poise_damage(inventories.get(entity));
+            let poise_damage = -(mass.0 * vel.magnitude_squared() / 1500.0);
+            let poise_change = Poise::apply_poise_reduction(poise_damage, inventories.get(entity));
             poise.change_by(poise_change, Vec3::unit_z());
         }
     }
diff --git a/server/src/state_ext.rs b/server/src/state_ext.rs
index ea791d163a..78f0bc6e49 100644
--- a/server/src/state_ext.rs
+++ b/server/src/state_ext.rs
@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ impl StateExt for State {
                     .get_mut(entity)
                     .map(|mut health| health.change_by(change));
             },
-            Effect::PoiseChange(poise_damage) => {
+            Effect::Poise(poise) => {
                 let inventories = self.ecs().read_storage::<Inventory>();
-                let change = poise_damage.modify_poise_damage(inventories.get(entity));
+                let change = Poise::apply_poise_reduction(poise, inventories.get(entity));
                 // Check to make sure the entity is not already stunned
                 if let Some(character_state) = self
                     .ecs()
diff --git a/server/src/sys/object.rs b/server/src/sys/object.rs
index 0daf0a081f..9736d157cc 100644
--- a/server/src/sys/object.rs
+++ b/server/src/sys/object.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use common::{
-    comp::{Object, PhysicsState, PoiseChange, PoiseSource, Pos, Vel},
+    comp::{Object, PhysicsState, Pos, Vel},
     effect::Effect,
     event::{EventBus, ServerEvent},
     resources::DeltaTime,
@@ -56,10 +56,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                                         kind: DamageKind::Energy,
                                         value: 40.0,
                                     })),
-                                    RadiusEffect::Entity(Effect::PoiseChange(PoiseChange {
-                                        source: PoiseSource::Explosion,
-                                        amount: -100,
-                                    })),
+                                    RadiusEffect::Entity(Effect::Poise(-100.0)),
                                     RadiusEffect::TerrainDestruction(4.0),
                                 ],
                                 radius: 12.0,
@@ -151,10 +148,7 @@ impl<'a> System<'a> for Sys {
                                         kind: DamageKind::Energy,
                                         value: 5.0,
                                     })),
-                                    RadiusEffect::Entity(Effect::PoiseChange(PoiseChange {
-                                        source: PoiseSource::Explosion,
-                                        amount: -40,
-                                    })),
+                                    RadiusEffect::Entity(Effect::Poise(-40.0)),
                                     RadiusEffect::TerrainDestruction(4.0),
                                 ],
                                 radius: 12.0,
diff --git a/voxygen/egui/src/lib.rs b/voxygen/egui/src/lib.rs
index 74636be28e..e0a74c225f 100644
--- a/voxygen/egui/src/lib.rs
+++ b/voxygen/egui/src/lib.rs
@@ -603,8 +603,8 @@ fn selected_entity_window(
                                     ui.label("State");
                                     poise_state_label(ui, poise);
                                     ui.end_row();
-                                    two_col_row(ui, "Current", format!("{}/{}", poise.current(), poise.maximum()));
-                                    two_col_row(ui, "Base Max", poise.base_max().to_string());
+                                    two_col_row(ui, "Current", format!("{:.1}/{:.1}", poise.current(), poise.maximum()));
+                                    two_col_row(ui, "Base Max", format!("{:.1}", poise.base_max()));
                                 });
                         });
                 }