View source for Critical strike

{{about|the game mechanic|the support gem|Increased Critical Strikes Support}}
{{refimprove}}
A '''critical strike''' is a skill or default attack dealing increased [[damage]] and possibly inflicting [[elemental ailments]]. Whenever the player or a monster uses a skill, they have a chance to deal a critical strike by default. 

Critical strikes are rolled on a per-action basis, not per-target. So each time a creature uses a skill, the critical strike roll is made once and only once. If someone rolls a critical strike, critical damage will be dealt to all targets hit by that skill.

==Mechanics==
Critical strike chance and critical strike damage multiplier are calculated separately for each spell and weapon attack. All weapons list a base critical strike chance, which only affects attacks using that weapon. Damage-dealing spells also have their own base critical strike chance, which is independent of the weapon used to cast the spell. For instance: the critical strike chance on a wand does not affect the chance to score a critical strike with [[Fireball]], even when the player uses that wand to cast the spell. 

===Critical strike chance{{anchor|Critical strike chance}}===
{{redirect|Critical Strike Chance|the passive skill|Critical Strike Chance (passive skill)}}

The chance to deal a critical strike is taken from the weapon used to perform an attack or attack skill. This chance is based on the weapon's base critical strike plus any local critical strike mods on the weapon. In the case of [[spells]], each spell has its own critical strike chance, which is listed in the [[Skills|skill]] gem's description. This value can be increased by various modifiers according to

{{math|formula=
\text{CriticalStrikeChance} = ({\text{BaseCriticalStrikeChance} + \text{AdditionalCriticalStrikeChance}) * (1 + \text{IncreasedCriticalStrikeChance}) }
}}


where ''BaseCriticalStrikeChance'' is the base critical strike chance of the skill or weapon, ''AdditionalCriticalStrikeChance'' is the sum of all relevant {{c|mod|+#% to Critical Strike Chance}} and ''IncreasedCriticalStrikeChance'' is the sum of all relevant {{c|mod|#% increased Critical Strike Chance}}.

For example, if the player is using a weapon with 5% chance to crit, and has {{c|mod|+1% to Critical Strike Chance}} and {{c|mod|50% increased Critical Strike Chance}}, he will have a 9% chance to score a critical strike.

These types of modifiers can be found on various [[item]]s, [[skill gem]]s, the [[passive skill tree]] or [[power charge]]s.

====Accuracy====
Accuracy measures the chance for an [[attack]] to hit. Accuracy-dependent attacks make a second accuracy check to confirm the critical strike. If the check fails only a normal hit is dealt. Thus accuracy can play an important role in quantity of critical strikes.<ref name="cite1">{{cite web|author=Mark_GGG|date=December 10, 2012|title=Mechanics thread|url=http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/11707/filter-account-type/staff/page/10#p748465|publisher=Path of Exile Forum|accessdate=February 7, 2013}}</ref>

===Critical strike multiplier===
{{#vardefine:character_base_crit|{{Character query|base_critical_strike_multiplier}}}}
Critical strikes deal more damage than normal, based on ''critical strike multiplier''. All characters have a base critical strike multiplier of {{#var:character_base_crit}}%. The damage will be multiplied according to
<pre>
CriticalStrikeDamage = Damage * (BaseCriticalStrikeMultiplier + AdditionalCriticalStrikeMultiplier)
</pre>
Where ''Damage'' is the base damage, ''BaseCriticalStrikeMultiplier = {{#var:character_base_crit}}%'' and ''AdditionalCriticalStrikeMultiplier'' is the sum of all {{c|mod|+#% to Critical Strike Multiplier}}.

This multiplier will be applied to all damage types of a hit. For instance, with {{c|mod|+100% to Critical Strike Multiplier}}, if the player scores a critical strike with an attack that normally deals 100 physical damage and 10 cold damage, he will instead deal {{#expr: 100 * ({{#var:character_base_crit}} + 100)/100}} physical damage and {{#expr: 10 * ({{#var:character_base_crit}} + 100)/100}} cold damage.

Critical strike multipliers do not affect the critical strike multiplier on [[ailment]]s, including global critical strike modifiers. Ailments have a base 150% multiplier when applied by a critical strike. The only way to increase the critical strike multiplier on ailments is with the [[Perfect Agony]] keystone.

[[Monster]]s have a base critical strike multiplier of {{Monster query|base_critical_strike_multiplier}}%.<ref name="cite2">{{cite web|author=Mark_GGG|date=April 16, 2013|title=Enemy Critical Strike Multiplier Reduction|url=http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/313264/page/2#p313264|publisher=Path of Exile Forum|accessdate=January 26, 2015}}</ref> It can be increased by various [[monster affixes]] and monster auras.

===Status effects===
A critical strike that deals elemental damage also inflicts [[elemental ailments]]: [[ignite]] from fire damage, [[freeze]] from cold damage, and [[shock]] from lightning damage.

===Effect on DPS===
Ignoring Accuracy/Evasion and Armour, the DPS contributed by critical strikes is

 net DPS = base DPS * (1 + base Critical Strike Chance * (1 + increased Critical Strike Chance) * (0.5 + increased Critical Strike Multiplier))

* With no increased Critical modifiers, 1% base critical strike chance corresponds to 0.5% increased dps.

The marginal net DPS with respect to increased Critical Strike Chance is

 marginal DPS = base DPS * base Critical Strike Chance * (0.5 + increased Critical Strike Multiplier)

* At a typical base Critical Strike Chance of 5% and no increased Critical Strike Multiplier, 100% increased Critical Strike Chance corresponds to 2.5% increased dps.
* With 100% increased Critical Strike Multiplier, this increases threefold to 7.5% increased dps.

The marginal net DPS with respect to increased Critical Strike Multiplier is

 marginal DPS * base Critical Strike Chance * (1 + increased Critical Strike Chance) * increased Critical Strike Multiplier

* At a typical base Critical Strike Chance of 5% and no increased Critical Strike Chance, 100% increased Critical Strike Multiplier corresponds to 5% increased dps.
* With 100% increased Critical Strike Chance, this doubles to 10% increased dps.

Note that this does not take into account effects such as [[status ailment]]s.

==Weapon critical strike potential==
An exhaustive list of weapon base Critical Strike Chances. Weapons may have a higher base Critical Strike Chance with the proper [[Item affix]]. The second column for min/max values includes increases by local implicit modifiers on the weapon.

{{#cargo_query:
|tables=items, weapons
|join on=weapons._pageID=items._pageID
|fields=
  items.class=Class, 
  CONCAT(CASE weapons.weapon_range WHEN 120 THEN "Ranged" ELSE "Melee" END)=Range, 
  CONCAT(CASE WHEN items.class LIKE "%Two%" THEN "2" WHEN items.class IN ("Staves", "Bows") THEN "2" ELSE "1" END)=Hands, 
  CONCAT(MIN(weapons.critical_strike_chance), "%")=Min<br>Base, 
  CONCAT(MAX(weapons.critical_strike_chance), "%")=Max<br>Base,
  CONCAT(MIN(weapons.critical_strike_chance_range_minimum), "%")=Min<br>+Implicit, 
  CONCAT(MAX(weapons.critical_strike_chance_range_maximum), "%")=Max<br>+Implicit
|group by=items.class
|where=items.rarity="Normal"
}}

==Skill critical strike potential==
An exhaustive list of the base critical strike chances for [[spells]] and other skills with damage components that are not based on a weapon's critical strike chance.
{{Query skill gems
|tables=skill_levels
|join=items._pageID=skill_levels._pageID
|where=skill_levels.critical_strike_chance > 0
|level=yes
|int=yes
|dex=yes
|str=yes
|crit=yes
|q_sort=Has primary attribute, Has name
|q_limit=200
}}

==Active skill gems with effects related to critical strikes==
{{main|List of critical strike related skill gems}}
{{#lst:List of critical strike related skill gems|active_skill_gems}}

==Support skill gems with effects related to critical strikes==
{{main|List of critical strike related skill gems}}
{{#lst:List of critical strike related skill gems|support_skill_gems}}

==Unique items==

===Local critical strike chance===
Items that have increases to their local critical strike chance.

{{Query unique items
|tables = item_stats
|join = item_stats._pageID=items._pageID
|where = 
    item_stats.id = "local_critical_strike_chance_+%"
|level=1
|class=1
|crit=1
|stat_column1_header=% crit chance
|stat_column1_format=%s%%
|stat_column1_stat_format=add
|stat_column1_stat1_id=local_critical_strike_chance_+% 
}}

===Global critical strike chance===
Items that have global critical strike chance or other interactions with global critical strike chance.

{{Query unique items
|tables = item_stats
|join = item_stats._pageID=items._pageID
|where = 
    item_stats.id LIKE "%critical_strike_chance%"
    AND item_stats.id NOT LIKE "%local%"
|level=1
|stat_column1_header=Generic<br>Crit. Chance
|stat_column1_format=%s%%
|stat_column1_stat_format=add
|stat_column1_stat1_id=critical_strike_chance_+% 
|stat_column2_header=Spell<br>Crit. Chance
|stat_column2_format=%s%%
|stat_column2_stat_format=add
|stat_column2_stat1_id=spell_critical_strike_chance_+%
|q_limit=200
}}

* {{il|Watcher's Eye}} can have following modifiers:
** {{c|mod|+(1.2-1.8)% to Critical Strike Chance while affected by [[Hatred]]}}
** {{c|mod|(70-100)% increased Critical Strike Chance while affected by [[Wrath]]}}

===Critical strike multiplier===

Items that have global critical strike multiplier or other interactions with global critical strike multiplier.

{{Query unique items
|tables = item_stats
|join = item_stats._pageID=items._pageID
|where = 
    item_stats.id LIKE "%critical_strike_multiplier%"
    AND item_stats.id NOT LIKE "%self_critical_strike_multiplier%"
|level=1
|stat_column1_header=% crit multi
|stat_column1_format=%s%%
|stat_column1_stat_format=add
|stat_column1_stat1_id=base_critical_strike_multiplier_+
}}

* {{il|Watcher's Eye}} can have following modifiers:
** {{c|mod|+(30-50)% to Critical Strike Multiplier while affected by [[Anger]]}}

===Other===

Items with miscellaneous interactions with critical strikes.

{{Query unique items
|tables = item_stats
|join = item_stats._pageID=items._pageID
|where = 
    item_stats.id LIKE "%crit%"
    AND item_stats.id NOT LIKE "%critical_strike_chance%"
    AND (item_stats.id LIKE "%self_critical_strike_multiplier%" OR item_stats.id NOT LIKE "%critical_strike_multiplier%")
|level=1
|stat=1
|large=1
|no_html=1
}}

* {{il|Watcher's Eye}} can have following modifiers:
** {{c|mod|You take (60-40)% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes while affected by [[Determination]]}}

==Passive skills==
<!-- DO NOT ADD THIS BACK. The page is too large and fails to process the templates -->
{{main|List of critical strike passive skills}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Version history ==
{{Version history table header}}
{{Version history table row|3.6.0}}
* Removed the minimum and maximum Critical Strike Chance caps. Previously, characters had a 5% chance to deal a critical strike with attacks and spells, even when the spell specified a lower chance, and could reach a maximum of 95% chance to critically strike.
{{Version history table row|2.2.0}}
* All sources of increased Critical Strike Multiplier have been changed to additional Critical Strike Multiplier.
|}

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[ru:Критический удар]]
[[de:Kritischer Treffer]]