Critical hit

A critical hit, or simply crit, is a property of hits that gains a damage multiplier based on its critical damage bonus. Additionally, critical hits can often enable or trigger other effects from items or passive skills.

Mechanics

Critical hit check

When a skill is used or triggered, it performs a critical hit check by rolling a number. This roll ranges from 0 to 99.99, determining a threshold the skill's critical hit chance must exceed to deal a critical hit successfully.

For example: A player casts a spell and rolls a 12. When enemies are hit, those hits require a critical strike chance of 12.01% or greater to deal a critical hit.

While hits from the same skill will usually have the same critical hit chance, resulting in all-or-nothing behaviour, conditional modifiers and buffs/debuffs can cause critical hit chance to differ between enemies.

• Some skills perform a new roll per hit or stage, such as channelling skills. This prevents reusing a skill to 'fish' for a good roll to use over a skill's entire duration.
• Multi-projectile skills from players and allies roll crit independently, but projectiles from a monster's skill will either all crit or not crit.
• If critical strike chance is lucky, skills perform two crit checks and keep the lower requirement. If it is unlucky, the higher requirement is kept.
• If a critical hit can be evaded, such as from an attacks or by a monster, but the evasion check fails and lands a hit, evasion is checked again; if the the evasion check succeeds, the hit is downgraded to a non-critical hit. This does not affect the evasion entropy value.

Critical hit chance

• Martial weapons have a base critical hit chance which is used for almost all attack skills. Unarmed skills have a base critical hit chance of 0% but can be increased through other stats.
  • Skills that use two weapons simultaneously calculate each hand's crit chance and damage separately, which are later combined into a single instance of damage. If either hand crits, the combined hit is considered a single crit. This does not retroactively scale a hand that non-crits, however.
  • Skills that use two weapons independently calculate crit chance independently for each hit.
• Spells instead specify a base critical hit chance on the skill itself which can then be further modified.
• Other allies including minions have an independent critical hit chance separate from the player.
• The Malice aura applying Critical Weakness adds base critical hit chance.

Effects which prevent critical strikes (e.g. Resolute Technique) take priority over effects that causes you to always deal critical strikes.

Critical damage bonus

Critical hits deal extra damage compared to a non-critical hit, the magnitude of which is determined by a stat called critical damage bonus, equivalent to "critical strike multiplier" or "crit multi" from Path of Exile 1. Critical damage bonus is a unique multiplier independent of all other damage multipliers. The default critical damage bonus for players and minions is +100%, or 200% of base damage. Monsters have 40% less bonus critical damage.

Critical damage bonus is calculated by first adding any sources of +#% to Critical Damage Bonus (e.g. on weapons or from Sniper's Mark) to the base critical damage bonus of +100%, then applying any other modifiers such as increases or reductions or more/less multipliers. Note that the modifier found on weapons and from Soul Core of Ticaba are local modifiers and only apply to that hits with that weapon.

Related gems

Item		Stats
Ambush	1	Supported Skill has 100% more Critical Hit Chance against Enemies that are on Full Life
Cold Exposure	1	Supported Skills inflict Cold Exposure for 8 seconds on Critical Hit with Cold Damage
Controlled Destruction	1	Supported Skills deal 30% more damage with Hits and Ailments Supported Skills cannot deal Critical Hits
Excise	1	Supported Skills have 40% more chance to Critically Hit Supported Skills have +8 seconds to Cooldown
Eye of Winter	1	Deals 12 to 18 Cold Damage Fires 8 Shard Projectiles in a Spiral when Projectile ends Modifiers to number of Projectiles only apply to the final Spiral Inflicts Critical Weakness on Hit Gains 50% of damage as the corresponding Type when passing over a Ground Surface
Inevitable Critical	1	Supported Skills gain 25% increased Critical Hit Chance each second, up to 100%. This Critical Hit Chance is lost whenever a skill supported by Inevitable Critical Critically Hits
Infernal Cry	1	(0–38)% increased Warcry Speed Empowers the next Melee Attack you perform, plus an additional Attack per Endurance Charge consumed Empowered Attacks Gain 25% of Damage as Fire Damage per 5 Power of enemies in range, up to 100% Warcry radius is 4 metres Destabilises Enemies for 8 seconds Combust Critical Hit Chance: 7.00% The enemy's Corpse violently explodes, dealing Fire damage in an area around it. Deals (4–119) to (7–179) Fire Damage Deals 10% More Fire Damage per 1 Power of exploding Corpse Explosion radius is 1.6 metres
Killing Palm	1	(24) to (36) Added Attack Physical Damage Culling Strike Can't be Evaded +7% to Critical Hit Chance
Leverage	1	Supported Skills have 50% increased Critical Hit Chance against Immobilised Enemies
Magma Barrier	1	Raising your shield infuses it with magma for 0.5 seconds Cannot perform a magma-infused block for 0.75 seconds after magma dissipates Gain Endurance Charge on Block Magma Spray Critical Hit Chance: 5.00% Attack Damage: (120-490)% of base (2-4) to (3-6) Added Fire Damage per 15 Armour on Shield (4-234) to (7-351) Base Off Hand Fire Damage
Mana Flare	1	Supported Skills trigger Mana Flare on Critical Hit Consumes 20% of current Mana to deal that much Fire damage
Potential	1	Supported Skills cannot generate Power Charges Supported Skills will consume a Power Charge on use if possible Supported Skills have 30% more chance to Critically Hit when consuming Power Charges
Supercritical	1	Supported Skills have 100% increased Critical Damage Bonus Supported Skills have 20% less Critical Hit chance
Dark Effigy	31	Totem Totem duration is 8 seconds Limit 1 Totem Dark Effusion Cast Time: 1.00 Sec Critical Hit Chance: 11.00% Deals (2–34) to (4–64) Chaos Damage Fires 100 additional Projectiles Impact radius is 0.8 metres

Related unique items

Item	Base item	Item class		Stats
Bristleboar	Leather Vest	Body Armour	1	50% reduced Evasion Rating +(40-60) to Maximum Life (3-5) Life Regeneration per second Gain 5 Rage when Hit by an Enemy Gain 10 Rage when Critically Hit by an Enemy
Hoghunt	Felled Greatclub	Two Hand Mace	1	Adds (16-20) to (23-27) Physical Damage +15% to Critical Hit Chance 10% reduced Attack Speed +10 to Strength Maim on Critical Hit
Northpaw	Suede Bracers	Gloves	1	+(15-25) to Evasion Rating Adds (3-5) to (8-10) Physical Damage to Attacks (20-30)% increased Critical Damage Bonus Base Critical Hit Chance for Attacks with Weapons is 8%
Seed of Cataclysm	Lazuli Ring	Ring	1	+(20-30) to maximum Mana(30-50)% increased Critical Hit Chance for Spells (30-50)% increased Critical Spell Damage Bonus +(13-17)% to Chaos Resistance 10% increased Mana Cost of Skills
Frostbreath	Slim Mace	One Hand Mace	10	Adds (8–12) to (16–20) Physical Damage Adds (8–12) to (16–20) Cold Damage +5% to Critical Hit Chance All Damage from Hits with this Weapon Contributes to Freeze Buildup Culling Strike against Frozen Enemies
Mask of the Sanguimancer	Face Mask	Helmet	10	+(20-25) to Evasion Rating +(10-15) to maximum Energy Shield (20-40)% increased Critical Hit Chance for Spells +(10-20) to Strength +(10-20) to Intelligence Blood Magic
Briarpatch	Laced Boots	Boots	11	(10–20)% increased Movement Speed +(40–60) to maximum Life +(60–80) to Stun Threshold +25% to Thorns Critical Hit Chance (10-15) to (20-25) Physical Thorns damage
Erian's Cobble	Guarded Helm	Helmet	11	+(0-40) to Armour +(0-30) to Evasion Rating +(0-20) to maximum Energy Shield +(0-60) to Accuracy Rating +(0-30) to maximum Life +(0-20) to maximum Mana (0-20)% increased Rarity of Items found (0-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(0-10) to Strength +(0-10) to Dexterity +(0-10) to Intelligence +(0-10)% to Fire Resistance +(0-10)% to Cold Resistance +(0-10)% to Lightning Resistance (0-6) Life Regeneration per second
Trephina	Forge Maul	Two Hand Mace	11	Adds (12-25) to (22-25) Physical Damage (10–15)% increased Attack Speed Causes (30–50)% increased Stun Buildup Always deals Critical Hits against Heavy Stunned Enemies
Rondel of Fragility	Lunar Amulet	Amulet	14	+(20-30) to Maximum Energy Shield(15-30)% increased Skill Speed (20-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance -30% to all Elemental Resistances (30-50)% increased Damage
Enezun's Charge	Volatile Wand	Wand	16	Grants Skill: Level (5-20) Volatile Dead(80-100%) increased Spell Damage (30-50)% increased Critical Hit Chance for Spells Gain (10-15) Mana per Enemy Killed 25% chance to not destroy Corpses when Consuming Corpses
Killjoy	Linen Wraps	Gloves	16	(30-60)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(30-50) to maximum Life (20-30)% increased Critical Damage Bonus Life Flasks do not recover Life On-Kill Effects happen twice
Visage of Ayah	Beaded Circlet	Helmet	16	(50-80)% increased Energy Shield (10-15)% increased Rarity of Items found (20-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(10-20)% to Lightning Resistance Eldritch Battery
Matsya	Crescent Quarterstaff	Quarterstaff	20	Adds (6-9) to (10-15) Cold Damage Adds 1 to (19-29) Lightning Damage +(3–5)% to Critical Hit Chance (15-20)% increased Attack Speed (25-40)% increased Mana Regeneration Rate Skills reserve 50% less Spirit
Fixation of Yix	Stellar Amulet	Amulet	25	+(5-7) to all Attributes+100 to maximum Life Allies in your Presence have (30-50)% increased Critical Hit Chance Allies in your Presence have (30-50)% increased Critical Damage Bonus Allies in your Presence have (10-20)% increased Attack Speed Allies in your Presence have (10-20)% increased Cast Speed 50% reduced Presence Area of Effect
Ungil's Harmony	Azure Amulet	Amulet	25	(20-30)% increased Mana Regeneration Rate+(30-50) to Maximum Life +(30-50) to Maximum Mana (100-200)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(60-100) to Stun Threshold Your Critical Hits do not deal extra Damage
Sandstorm Visage	Chain Tiara	Helmet	26	+(80-120) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-30) to Dexterity Enemies in your Presence are Blinded Enemies in your Presence gain Critical Weakness every second
The Smiling Knight	Cowled Helm	Helmet	26	(150-200)% increased Armour and Evasion +(50-100) to Accuracy Rating (15-25)% increased Critical Hit Chance Aggravate Bleeding on targets you Critically Hit with Attacks
Atsak's Sight	Veiled Mask	Helmet	28	(100-150)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield (30-40)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(10-20) to Dexterity +(10-20) to Intelligence Critical Hits Poison the enemy
Death's Harp	Dualstring Bow	Bow	28	Bow Attacks fire an additional Arrow+(50-70)% to Critical Damage Bonus Bow Attacks fire 3 additional arrows Gain (20-30) Life per enemy killed Gain (12-18) Mana per enemy killed
Beacon of Azis	Solar Amulet	Amulet	30	+(10-15) to Spirit+(60-100) to maximum Mana +30 to Spirit 30% Increased Light Radius Critical Hits ignore Enemy Monster Elemental Resistances
Atziri's Acuity	Moulded Mitts	Gloves	33	(80–100)% increased Armour (30–50)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(20–30) to Intelligence Leech from Critical Hits is instant
Powertread	Hunting Shoes	Boots	33	(10–15)% increased Movement Speed (60–80)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(10–20) to Intelligence +1 to Maximum Power Charges +12% to Critical Damage Bonus per Power Charge
The Vertex	Tribal Mask	Helmet	33	(100-150)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield (20-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance +(13-17)% to Chaos Resistance Equipment and Skill Gems have 50% reduced Attribute Requirements
Voll's Protector	Ironclad Vestments	Body Armour	33	(100-150)% increased Armour and Energy Shield 25% reduced maximum Mana +(13-17)% to Chaos Resistance 25% chance to gain a Power Charge on Critical Hit
Quecholli	Crumbling Maul	Two Hand Mace	38	Causes Enemies to Explode on Critical Kill for 10% of their Life as Physical Damage(100–150)% increased Physical Damage +(10–15) to all Attributes Gain 30 Life per Enemy Killed This Weapon's Critical Hit Chance is 100% Critical Hits do not deal extra Damage
Assailum	Closed Helm	Helmet	45	(50–100)% increased Armour and Evasion +(200–400) to Accuracy Rating (30–50)% increased Critical Hit Chance Skills have a (100–150)% longer Perfect Timing window
Maligaro's Virtuosity	Fine Bracers	Gloves	45	(60-80)% increased Evasion Rating (20-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance 5% increased Attack Speed +(10-20) to Dexterity Your Critical Damage Bonus is 300%
Choir of the Storm	Jade Amulet	Amulet	52	Grants Skill: Level (18-20) Greater Lightning Bolt +(10-15) to Dexterity+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance Critical Hits Ignore Enemy Monster Lightning Resistance Trigger Greater Lightning Bolt Skill on Critical Hit
Blessed Bonds	Linen Wraps	Gloves	56	+(60-100) to Evasion Rating +(30-50) to maximum Energy Shield Gain (25-35) Mana per Enemy Killed Inflict Cold Exposure on Igniting an Enemy Inflict Fire Exposure on Shocking an Enemy Inflict Lightning Exposure on Critical Hit
The Brass Dome	Champion Cuirass	Body Armour	58	(400-500)% increased Armour (-5–-1)% to all Maximum Elemental Resistances +(200-300) to Stun Threshold Take no Extra Damage from Critical Hits
Beyond Reach	Visceral Quiver	Quiver	65	(20-30)% increased Critical Hit Chance for Attacks(10-15)% reduced Attack Speed Chaos Damage from Hits also Contributes to Freeze Buildup Chaos Damage from Hits also Contributes to Electrocute Buildup Attacks Gain (10-20)% of Physical Damage as extra Chaos Damage
Collapsing Horizon	Wyrm Quarterstaff	Quarterstaff	65	100% increased Elemental Damage with Attacks +(5-10)% to Critical Hit Chance +(2-4) to Level of all Elemental Skills Trigger skills refund half of Energy spent

Version history

Expand

Version	Changes
0.1.0e	Critical Strikes from Monsters now deal 40% less bonus Damage. (Hotfix 1) Fixed unintentionally lowering the base minion critical damage bonus from +50% to +30% in patch 0.1.0e. We have buffed base minion critical damage bonus to be +100% (higher than pre 0.1.0e values) to match the base player critical damage bonus. This will display incorrectly in the character panel until a later patch.
0.1.0	Introduced to the game.