Critical Hits


Critical Hits are a common thing seen within battles. Critical Hits increase the damage that is given for any attacking attack. However, there are many variables that alter the chances of Critical Hits as well as the increase in the damage it increases it by, it also completely ignores positive changes in the opponent's stat.

Prior to Pokémon X & Y, Critical Hits increase the damage to be given by a further 100% making it 200% of normal. This calculation is placed after the Type Effectiveness and STAB is calculated, causing even more of an increase in power. There is however a way of increasing it by a further 100% making it 300% of normal. This is done only with Pokémon that have the ability Sniper. This means that a Super Effective Attack will likely completely floor most Pokémon when critically hit.

However, from Pokémon X & Y, the strength of Critical Hits has been drastically reduced. Instead of doubling the damage, the Critical hits will now do 50% more damage from the standard damage. If you have the ability Sniper, this increases to make the move do 225% of its standard damage.

The chances of Critical Hits are done in stages. There are five stages of which the Critical Hit percentage is calculated. All moves are on Stage 1 apart from a handful on Stage 2. However, with various items, abilities and a combination thereof, you can reach Stage 5 and have a 50/50 chance of hitting with a Critical Hit. Below is a list of the stages and their chances of occuring.

Stage Gen II-V Percentage Gen VI Percentage Gen VII+ Percentage
1 6.25% 6.25% 4.17%
2 12.5%12.5%12.5%
3 25%50%50%
4 33.3%100%100%
5 50%100%100%

Using Pokémon Amie or Pokémon Refresh also brings an increased chance of Critical Hits

Every move that does damage, either physical or special is part of Stage 1 and thus has a 4.17% chance of causing a Critical Hit. However, there are many things that boost the Critical Hit Ratio.

The following attacks have an increased Critical Hit Ratio;

Name Type Cat. PP Att. Acc. Effect
10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt 1 195 -- The user, Pikachu wearing a cap, powers up a jolt of electricity using its Z-Power and unleashes it. Critical hits land more easily.
Aeroblast 5 100 95 A vortex of air is shot at the target to inflict damage. Critical hits land more easily.
Air Cutter 25 60 95 The user launches razor-like wind to slash the opposing Pokémon. Critical hits land more easily.
Aqua Cutter 20 70 100 The user expels pressurized water to cut at the target like a blade. This move has a heightened chance of landing a critical hit.
Attack Order 15 90 100 The user calls out its underlings to pummel the target. Critical hits land more easily.
Blaze Kick Blaze Kick - FIRE 10 85 90 The user launches a kick that lands a critical hit more easily. This may also leave the target with a burn.
Crabhammer 10 100 90 The target is hammered with a large pincer. Critical hits land more easily.
Cross Chop 5 100 80 The user delivers a double chop with its forearms crossed. Critical hits land more easily.
Cross Poison 20 70 100 A slashing attack with a poisonous blade that may also poison the target. Critical hits land more easily.
Drill Run 10 80 95 The user crashes into its target while rotating its body like a drill. Critical hits land more easily.
G-Max Chi Strike 10 -- 101 A Fighting-type attack that Gigantamax Machamp use. This move raises the chance of critical hits.
Karate Chop Karate Chop - FIGHTING 25 50 100 The target is attacked with a sharp chop. Critical hits land more easily.
Leaf Blade 15 90 100 The user handles a sharp leaf like a sword and attacks by cutting its target. Critical hits land more easily.
Night Slash 15 70 100 The user slashes the target the instant an opportunity arises. Critical hits land more easily.
Poison Tail Poison Tail - POISON 25 50 100 The user hits the target with its tail. This may also poison the target. Critical hits land more easily.
Psycho Cut 20 70 100 The user tears at the target with blades formed by psychic power. Critical hits land more easily.
Razor Leaf 25 55 95 Sharp-edged leaves are launched to slash at the opposing Pokémon. Critical hits land more easily.
Razor Wind Razor Wind - NORMAL 10 80 100 In this two-turn attack, blades of wind hit opposing Pokémon on the second turn. Critical hits land more easily.
Shadow Claw 15 70 100 The user slashes with a sharp claw made from shadows. Critical hits land more easily.
Sky Attack Sky Attack - FLYING 5 140 90 A second-turn attack move where critical hits land more easily. This may also make the target flinch.
Slash 20 70 100 The target is attacked with a slash of claws or blades. Critical hits land more easily.
Snipe Shot Snipe Shot - WATER 15 80 100 The user ignores the effects of opposing Pokémon's moves and Abilities that draw in moves, allowing this move to hit the chosen target.
Spacial Rend 5 100 95 The user tears the target along with the space around it. Critical hits land more easily.
Stone Edge 5 100 80 The user stabs the target from below with sharpened stones. Critical hits land more easily.

There are also several items, attacks & abilities that boost the Critical Hit ratio by a certain amount of stages, pushing the possibility of Critical Hits higher and higher.

The following items boost the Critical Hit ratio up by one level:

Picture Name Effect
Lansat Berry A Poffin ingredient. If held by a Pokémon, it raises its critical-hit ratio in a pinch.
Razor Claw Raises chances of landing a Critical Hit. Evolves Sneasel into Weavile at Night.
Scope Lens Increases chances of landing a Critical Hit

As of Pokémon Sun & Moon, several moves, when given Z-Power, will result in an increase of the Pokémon's own Critical Hit ratio for the duration of the Pokémon's position in battle. These moves are Z-Acupressure, Z-Foresight, Z-Heart Swap, Z-Sleep Talk & Z-Tailwind.

The following attack also boosts the critical hit ratio two levels. However, you can only get its effect once without fainting or switching out:

Name Type Cat. PP Att. Acc. Effect
Focus Energy 30 -- -- Focuses power to raise the critical-hit ratio.

The following move will increase your Critical Hit rate, but if used on a Dragon-type Pokémon, it will increase it even further

Name Type Cat. PP Att. Acc. Effect
Dragon Cheer Dragon Cheer - DRAGON 15 -- 101 The user raises its allies' morale with a draconic cry so that their future attacks have a heightened chance of landing critical hits. This rouses Dragon types more.

There are also items that boost the Critical Hit level up by 2 levels for specific Pokémon

Picture Name Effect
Lucky Punch If attached to Chansey, Critical Hit ratio rises
Leek If attached to Farfetch'd or Sirfetch'd, Critical Hit ratio rises

There is also one special ability that doubles the Critical Hit ratio stage (If normally 1 it becomes 2, if normally 2 it becomes 4). This ability is Super Luck and is only known by Murkrow, Honchkrow, Absol, Tranquill and Unfezant and with Togepi, Togetic and Togekiss getting it as their Hidden Ability. This is the only way to get a stage 5 percentage, by having them with Super Luck, using a move such as Slash and holding a Razor Claw or Scope Lens. The ability Merciless, known by Mareanie and Toxapex, will make it so their moves will always land a Critical Hit on a Poisoned opponent.

Finally, there are four moves which have a Critical Hit ratio of 7 allowing for a 100% Critical Hit ratio. These moves, barring any abilities or moves preventing it, will always result in a Critical Hit.

Name Type Cat. PP Att. Acc. Effect
Flower Trick 10 70 101 The user throws a rigged bouquet of flowers at the target. This attack never misses and always lands a critical hit.
Frost Breath 10 60 90 The user blows a cold breath on the target. This attack always results in a critical hit.
Storm Throw 10 60 100 The user strikes the target with a fierce blow. This attack always results in a critical hit.
Surging Strikes 5 25 100 The user, having mastered the Water style, strikes the target with a flowing motion three times in a row. This attack always results in a critical hit.
Wicked Blow 5 80 100 The user, having mastered the Dark style, strikes the target with a fierce blow. This attack always results in a critical hit.

Finally, the following moves will cause your subsequent attack to land a Critical Hit.

Name Type Cat. PP Att. Acc. Effect
Laser Focus 30 -- -- The user concentrates intensely. The attack on the next turn always results in a critical hit.

Evolution

In Pokémon Sword & Shield, Critical Hits were also utilised for evolution. With Galarian Farfetch'd, to get it to evolve you need to make 3 Critical Hits in one battle. This can be done in battles against multiple Pokémon or against say a Level 60 Magikarp in the Wild Area.. Once you win the battle, the evolution will be activated.