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==Function==
==Function==
Every time any character makes an attack, they have a small chance of that attack being a "Critical Hit," which drastically increases the damage dealt on that particular turn. Since critical hits ignore defence, it makes them an instant kill on all [[metal monsters]], provided the monster does not dodge the critical hit.  
Every time any character makes an attack, they have a small chance of that attack being a "Critical Hit," which drastically increases the damage dealt on that particular turn. Since critical hits ignore defence, it makes them an instant kill on all [[metal monsters]], provided the monster does not dodge the critical hit. Weapons that strike multiple times, such as the [[Falcon Knife Earrings]], can critical but weapons that strike multiple targets cannot. This means flails, whips, and boomerangs.
 
However, many monsters also can get critical hits, usually termed a ''terrific blow'' or a ''brutal hit''.
However, many monsters also can get critical hits, usually termed a ''terrific blow'' or a ''brutal hit''.


==Frequency==
==Appearances==
The chance of a critical has several variables, though the base range in all Dragon Quest games is '''{{fraction|1|64}}'''. Certain characters have a better chance of getting critical hits than others, such as [[Tsarevna Alena]] whose rate depends on her level. In ''VI'' and ''VII'', a [[Martial Artist]]'s chance of landing a critical hit improves along with the character's current rank, capping at 1/8 at rank 8.
==={{DQ}} & {{DQ2}}===
The critical hit rate is fixed at {{fraction|1|64}}.  
 
==={{DQ3}} & {{DQ4}}===
[[Martial Artist]]s and [[Tsarevna Alena]] have rate depends on their level, being calculated as ''Level/256''. The cap is level 64, with a rate of 25%.
*In the nintendo DS and cell phone versions of ''IV'', Alena's critical hit rate was tweaked to  ''(Level x 0.75)/256'', meaning she needs to reach level 89 to get a 25% rate.
   
   
Certain weapons can increase the chances of a character getting a critical hit, such as the [[Hela hammer]] or [[Headman's Axe]]. Such weapons tend to have a very low accuracy to balance their power. Additionally, weapon skill sets featured in [[Dragon Quest VIII]] and [[Dragon Quest IX|IX]] will improve a character's chances of performing a critical hit from {{fraction|1|64}} to {{fraction|1|32}} if they raise their rank in the skill high enough.
==={{DQ5}}===
The critical hit rate returns to {{fraction|1|64}} and cannot be improved.
 
==={{DQ6}} & {{DQ7}}===
Characters have the standard {{fraction|1|64} rate unless they become martial artists at [[Alltrades abbey]]. After taking up the art of the fist, the character's rank in the vocation will improve their chance to land a critical until they hit the cap of {{fraction|1|8}} at rank 8. This gives a party of martial artists a 50% chance to score a critical when using normal attacks and single-target skills that utilizes their strength stat.
*[[Paladin]]s have a similar vocation trait, in that they have a chance to instantly slay a target based on rank. Though this will not work on boss monsters, it will still slay metal slimes at a {{fraction|1|8}} rate when mastered.
 
==={{DQ8}}===
A character will double their critical hit rate to {{fraction|1|32}} after investing enough skill points in the appropriate section.  


===[[Deftness]]===
==={{DQ9}}===
Beginning in ''[[Dragon Quest IX]]'' and carrying forwards to ''[[Dragon Quest X|X]]'' and [[Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below|Heroes]]'', the frequency of critical hits became dependent on a character's deftness.
Beginning in ''Dragon Quest IX'' and carrying forwards to ''X'' and [[Dragon Quest Heroes: The World Tree's Woe and the Blight Below|Heroes]]'', the frequency of critical hits became dependent on a character's deftness.


For ''IX'', the algorithm is ''Deftness/100 + 3% (with weapon skill trait boost)''. Wearing the Critical Acclaim will add another 4%, and thus the maximum rate is 16.99% at 999 deftness. The natural, unbolstered rates for each vocation are:
For ''IX'', the algorithm is ''Deftness/100 + 3% (with weapon skill trait boost)''. Wearing the Critical Acclaim will add another 4%, and thus the maximum rate is 16.99% at 999 deftness. The natural, unbolstered rates for each vocation are:
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*[[Paladin]]: '''9 -> 0.09%'''
*[[Paladin]]: '''9 -> 0.09%'''


==Spells==
==={{DQ10}}===
In ''[[Dragon Quest IX]]'', spells can also become critical hits, where the spell "goes haywire." This not only increases damage output of attack magic, but also boosts healing spells. If a status-changing spell goes haywire, its chance of working increases to 100% (barring the target being immune). Other class skills have a critical chance as well with similar effects.
{{Stub}}
 
==={{DQ11}}===
Every 200 points of deftness increases the critical hit chance by 1%, leading to a natural cap of {{fraction|1|16}}. Skill panel, pep boosts and equipment bonuses can raise this chance even further.
 
==Weapons==
Certain weapons can guarantee the chances of a character getting a critical hit in exchange for low accuracy. The [[Hela Hammer]] has an accuracy of 3/8ths, the [[Headsman's Axe]] has a 3/4ths accuracy, a 1/8th chance to critical, and a 1/8th chance to miss outright. The [[Megaton Hammer]] has a 1/8th critical chance and no reduction to accuracy at all.
 
These weapons would lose these traits as the series adopted deftness-based calculations with the ninth entry, and would often simply be powerful members of their respective weapon families in subsequent games.


==See Also==
==Skills==
With the implementation of skills in ''V'', certain abilities were designed with instant critical hit rates in mind. These skills would often have a paltry MP cost, but suffer the same low accuracy as the above mentioned weapons in older titles.
*[[Hatchet man]]
*[[Hatchet man]]
*[[Thunder Thrust]]
*[[Thunder Thrust]]
*[[Frenzy]]
*[[Frenzy]]
*[[Whopper Chop]]
*[[Whopper Chop]]
==Spells==
In ''[[Dragon Quest IX]]'', spells can also become critical hits, where the spell "goes haywire". This not only increases damage output of attack magic, but also boosts healing spells. If a status-changing spell goes haywire, its chance of working increases to 100% (barring the target being immune). Other class skills have a critical chance as well with similar effects.
{{Series_mechanics}}
{{Series_mechanics}}
[[Category:Recurring elements]]
[[Category:Recurring elements]]
[[Category: Game mechanics]]
[[Category: Game mechanics]]

Revision as of 11:44, 17 September 2018

Critical Hits are a recurring feature of the Dragon Quest series.

Function

Every time any character makes an attack, they have a small chance of that attack being a "Critical Hit," which drastically increases the damage dealt on that particular turn. Since critical hits ignore defence, it makes them an instant kill on all metal monsters, provided the monster does not dodge the critical hit. Weapons that strike multiple times, such as the Falcon Knife Earrings, can critical but weapons that strike multiple targets cannot. This means flails, whips, and boomerangs.

However, many monsters also can get critical hits, usually termed a terrific blow or a brutal hit.

Appearances

Dragon Quest & Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line

The critical hit rate is fixed at 164.

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation & Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

Martial Artists and Tsarevna Alena have rate depends on their level, being calculated as Level/256. The cap is level 64, with a rate of 25%.

  • In the nintendo DS and cell phone versions of IV, Alena's critical hit rate was tweaked to (Level x 0.75)/256, meaning she needs to reach level 89 to get a 25% rate.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

The critical hit rate returns to 164 and cannot be improved.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation & Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

Characters have the standard {{fraction|1|64} rate unless they become martial artists at Alltrades abbey. After taking up the art of the fist, the character's rank in the vocation will improve their chance to land a critical until they hit the cap of 18 at rank 8. This gives a party of martial artists a 50% chance to score a critical when using normal attacks and single-target skills that utilizes their strength stat.

  • Paladins have a similar vocation trait, in that they have a chance to instantly slay a target based on rank. Though this will not work on boss monsters, it will still slay metal slimes at a 18 rate when mastered.

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

A character will double their critical hit rate to 132 after investing enough skill points in the appropriate section.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

Beginning in Dragon Quest IX and carrying forwards to X and Heroes, the frequency of critical hits became dependent on a character's deftness.

For IX, the algorithm is Deftness/100 + 3% (with weapon skill trait boost). Wearing the Critical Acclaim will add another 4%, and thus the maximum rate is 16.99% at 999 deftness. The natural, unbolstered rates for each vocation are:

Dragon Quest X

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Every 200 points of deftness increases the critical hit chance by 1%, leading to a natural cap of 116. Skill panel, pep boosts and equipment bonuses can raise this chance even further.

Weapons

Certain weapons can guarantee the chances of a character getting a critical hit in exchange for low accuracy. The Hela Hammer has an accuracy of 3/8ths, the Headsman's Axe has a 3/4ths accuracy, a 1/8th chance to critical, and a 1/8th chance to miss outright. The Megaton Hammer has a 1/8th critical chance and no reduction to accuracy at all.

These weapons would lose these traits as the series adopted deftness-based calculations with the ninth entry, and would often simply be powerful members of their respective weapon families in subsequent games.

Skills

With the implementation of skills in V, certain abilities were designed with instant critical hit rates in mind. These skills would often have a paltry MP cost, but suffer the same low accuracy as the above mentioned weapons in older titles.

Spells

In Dragon Quest IX, spells can also become critical hits, where the spell "goes haywire". This not only increases damage output of attack magic, but also boosts healing spells. If a status-changing spell goes haywire, its chance of working increases to 100% (barring the target being immune). Other class skills have a critical chance as well with similar effects.