Critical Hits

OMG HAX!

That, or something similar, is a common phrase we might hear when a Critical Hit has occured. Even though we're all aware of how devastating one can be, the details behind Critical Hits such as how often they actually occur still remain a mystery for some people. Are there ways to increase the percentage chance of one? Here, I will tell you everything you need to know about Critical Hits, and possibly a little more.

All attacks that have a Base Power, including attacks that have hidden ones like Grass Knot, have a chance of triggering a Critical Hit. Critical Hits deal twice as much damage as the attack normally would've done. Furthermore, it ignores negative attack buffs on the user and positive defense buffs on the receiver. This means that if Heracross, in the image above, boosted its defense before, the Critical Hit would've completely ignored Heracross' positive defense buff. On the other hand, if Heracross' defense had been lowered, the Critical Hit would take that into account. In other words, Critical Hits ignore buffs that decrease the damage.

Critical Hit Percentage

• Holding Razor Claw or Scope Lens will increase the stage by 1.
• If using a High Critical Hit Ratio move, increase it by 1.
• If Focus Energy has been used, increase it by 2.

Besides the above listed possibilities, there are two specie items that increase the stage by 2. Lucky Punch, usable by Chansey and Blissey, and Stick, usable for Farfetch'd. These items are exclusive, and will not have effect on when other Pokemon hold them.

Sniper, Super Luck, Battle Armor and Shell Armor

There are certain abilities that affect Critical Hits. Sniper, available to Drapion, Kingdra, Octillery and Remoraid, triples the normal damage done instead of doubling it when a Critical Hit occurs. Super Luck, which Absol and Honchkrow can have as their ability, increases the Critical Hit stage by 1.

Pokemon with Battle Armor or Shell Armor are immune to Critical Hits. Battle Armor is available to Armaldo, Drapion and Kabutops. Clamperl, Cloyster, Crawdaunt, Kingler, Lapras and Omastar are able to have Shell Armor as their ability.

Is it worth increasing the Critical Hit chance?

From my point of view, I would say no. I use High Critical Hit Ratio moves, but merely for the type coverage. Getting a high Critical Hit stage requires too much, and topping at 50% isn't really worth it. The odds of getting one compared to the stage isn't linear; The increase from stage 0 to 1 only gives an increased 6.25% chance, while the increase from 3 to 4 gives a 16.66% increase. This means that the optimal Critical Hit stage would be 4, following 2.

In this generation, with the added selection of Hold Items, Razor Claw and Scope Lens are sure to be less attractive and a bad choice. Focus Energy doesn't seem to be a too good move either, since the effects fade after switching out. By the time you have used it, your opponent is sure to have damaged you, or switched to something that severely can. What's left? Lucky Punch and Stick. Blissey benefits more from Leftovers, although a Blissey with Special Attacks could try Lucky Punch. Farfetch'd has horrible Base Stats, and cannot do much even if holding Stick.

The best choice for Critical Hit Pokemon would be Machamp, holding Razor Claw or Scope Lens. It boosts the stage with Focus Energy, and then attacks with Cross Chop and Stone Edge for a 50% chance. Too bad it lacks Speed, but it could prove useful with something else setting up Trick Room. Absol would be another choice, since its ability increases its stage by 1.

But remember, there are times when luck isn't on your side, and times when it is!