Difference between revisions of "Critical hits"

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[[Image:Critical.png|right|300px|Engineer feeling a critical.]]
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{{Featured article tag}}
{{Quotation|'''The Scout'''|Dere ain't enough crits in the world ta kill me!|sound=Scout_dominationsol06.wav}}
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[[File:Critical.png|right|300px|The Engineer feeling a critical hit.]]
  
'''Critical hits''', also known as '''"Crits"''', are attacks that do extra [[damage]] and have distinctive sounds both when fired and when hitting a target. Players on the receiving end of the attack will have the words "Critical hit!!!" appear over their head in green letters, accompanied by a loud ding.
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{{Quotation|'''The Scout'''|There ain't enough crits in the world to kill me!|sound=Scout_dominationsol06.wav}}
  
Critical hits can be easily distinguished from normal hits. [[Melee]] weapons have a unique swinging animation. Explosives projectiles, such as rockets or Stickybombs, have a team-colored glow and sparkle effects. Bullets have team-colored trails.  
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'''Critical hits''', also known as '''{{botignore|crits}}''' or '''{{botignore|full crits}}''', are attacks that do extra [[damage]] and have distinctive sound effects when fired and upon [[Media:Crit hit.wav|hitting]] a target. Players on the receiving end of the attack have the words "CRITICAL HIT!!!" in green, or "{{botignore|MINI-CRIT!}}" in yellow, respectively, appear above their head. [[Buildings]] are immune to both types.
  
Self-inflicted critical hits will not deal critical self-damage but will still play the sound effect.
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Critical hits can be easily distinguished from normal hits. Most melee weapons have a unique swinging animation, projectiles such as [[Rocket Launcher|rockets]] or [[Stickybomb Launcher|stickybombs]] have a team-colored glow and sparkle effect (exemptions are the [[Cow Mangler 5000]], the [[Righteous Bison]], and the [[Pomson 6000]]), bullets have team-colored trails, and flamethrowers produce additional team-colored particles. These visual effects are accompanied by a crackling electric sound upon firing and receiving a Critical hit.
  
Critical hits deal 300% of the base damage of the weapon, and ignore both the distance modification and the random damage modification normal shots are susceptible to, though explosive weapon crits still suffer from splash damage fall-off.
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Self-inflicted Critical hits do not deal critical damage to the user, but still play the sound effect.
  
When a player is killed by a critical hit, the class will let out a loud scream that differs from ordinary deaths, unless the class was killed by a critical explosive. The kill feed icon for a critical hit can be easily recognized, as the weapon will be surrounded by a red glow.
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Critical hits deal three times the base damage of the weapon and ignore both [[Damage#Distance and randomness modifier|the distance modification and the random damage modification]] of normal shots, though explosive weapon Critical hits still suffer from splash damage fall-off. As a result, weapons that are normally merely nuisances at long range (such as [[Minigun]]s) can become dangerous when critical hitting. The extra damage ignores most resistances, meaning it cannot be resisted by the [[Vaccinator]]'s normal healing or [[Upgrade Station]] buffs — though other mechanics can target the critical damage specifically, such as the [[Battalion's Backup]] and the Vaccinator's ÜberCharge, which fully neutralize the extra damage.
  
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When a player is killed by a Critical hit, the class lets out a loud scream that differs from ordinary non-melee deaths, unless the class was [[Gibs|gibbed]] (in which case they let out a larger "ouch" noise than explosive kills usually cause). The kill feed icon for a Critical hit surrounds the weapon icon with a red glow.
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Critical hits and Mini-Crits do not stack in any form — that is, meeting multiple conditions to earn a Critical hit or a Mini-Crit do not deal any more than the normal damage boost. For example, the [[Frontier Justice]]'s "Revenge" Critical hits do not deal any additional damage if the [[Engineer]] is [[ÜberCharge]]d by a [[Kritzkrieg]], nor does a player [[Mechanics#MarkedForDeath|marked for death]] and coated in [[Jarate]] suffer more than standard Mini-Crits. This means that team coordination is required if multiple players have ways to increase their Critical hit output, or extra damage is wasted. If both a Mini-Crit and full Critical hit occur with the same attack, the Critical hit overrides the Mini-Crit.
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== Critical hit chance ==
 
== Critical hit chance ==
{{see also|Damage}}
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{{See also|Damage}}
[[Image:CritHitChance.png|thumb|300px|right|Critical hit chance based on damage.]]
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Standard weapons have a 2% base chance to crit, while melee weapons have a 15% chance.<ref name=blog1>http://www.tf2.com/post.php?id=2221</ref> An additional bonus percentage is added based on the total damage done by the player in the last 20 seconds, which scales from 0% at 0 damage to 10% at 800 damage.<ref name="blog1"/> For example: dealing 200 damage in the past 20 seconds, the additional bonus percentage is 2.5%.
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[[File:CritHitChance.png|thumb|150px|right|Critical hit chance based on damage.]]
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The base Critical hit chance for standard weapons is 2%. This is modified by a bonus percentage based on how much damage the player has done in the last 20 seconds, which scales from 0% at 0 damage to 10% at 800 damage.<ref name=blog1>https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=2221</ref> For example, if the player has dealt 200 damage in the past 20 seconds, the additional bonus percentage is 2.5% and so the overall Critical hit chance is 4.5%. As a result, the highest natural Critical hit chance attainable is 12%.
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Melee weapons are designed to Critical hit far more often than ranged ones in order to encourage their usage at close range. Their base Critical hit chance starts at 15% — higher than attainable for ranged weapons with the recent damage bonus maxed out — and their recent damage bonus scales from 0% to 45%, meaning a player that has done 800 damage or more in the last 20 seconds has a melee Critical hit rate of 60%.
  
Among those weapons that trigger randomly, critical hit probability is determined differently based on the type of weapon. Single-shot weapons, which, for example, include [[Shotgun]]s, the [[Revolver]], and the [[Rocket Launcher]], determine the chance to crit with every shot. Thus, every shot of the Shotgun will have a 2% chance to launch a flurry of critical pellets, assuming no previous damage done. Rapid-fire weapons, however, which include the [[Minigun]], [[Syringe Gun]], and [[Flamethrower]], check for critical hits once a second. With weapons like these, a positive crit determination results in all shots for the next '''two''' seconds being critical.
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Among those weapons that trigger randomly, Critical hit probability is determined differently based on the type of weapon. Single-shot weapons, such as the [[Shotgun]], [[Revolver]], and the [[Rocket Launcher]], determine the chance to Critical hit with every shot. Thus, every shot of the Shotgun has a 2% chance to launch a flurry of critical pellets, assuming no previous damage done. Rapid-fire weapons, which include the [[Minigun]], [[Syringe Gun]], [[Flame Thrower]], and the [[Pistol]], check for Critical hits once a second. With weapons like these, a positive Critical hit determination results in all shots for the next '''two''' seconds being critical. This only applies to the active weapon; getting two seconds of Critical hits on one's Pistol does not cause their Shotgun to fire Critical hits during this time.
 
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== Special cases ==
 
== Special cases ==
[[Image:Revenge_Crits.png|thumb|right|An [[Engineer]] wielding the [[Frontier Justice]] with revenge crits.]]
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[[File:Revenge Crits.png|thumb|150px|right|An [[Engineer]] with the [[Frontier Justice]]'s Revenge Crits available.]]
* Some items do not work as conventional weapons and so do not crit under any circumstance. These include [[Bonk! Atomic Punch]], [[Crit-a-Cola]], [[Mad Milk]], the [[Buff Banner]], the [[Gunboats]], the [[Battalion's Backup]], the [[Concheror]], the [[Chargin' Targe]], the [[Sandvich]], the [[Dalokohs Bar]], the [[Buffalo Steak Sandvich]], the [[Wrangler]], the [[Medi Gun]], the [[Kritzkrieg]], the [[Razorback]], [[Darwin's Danger Shield]], [[Jarate]], the [[Electro Sapper]],  the [[Disguise Kit]], the [[Invisibility Watch]], the [[Cloak and Dagger]], the [[Dead Ringer]], the [[Enthusiast's Timepiece]] and the [[PDA]]s.
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There is a wide variety of situations that affect whether a weapon can deal Critical hits or not.
** Jarate and Mad Milk may appear to crit, though this has only a cosmetic effect.
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** The [[Rocket Jumper]] and the [[Sticky Jumper]] roll for random crits normally and can be Crit boosted. However, due to the weapons dealing 0 damage normally, the critical hits deal 3 times 0 damage.
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=== Weapons that can gain both random Critical hits and situational Critical hits ===
* [[Taunt attacks]] do not crit, but using one while boosted by a Buff Banner or Crit-a-Cola, or when the opponent is under the effects of Jarate or Crit-a-Cola will result in a mini-crit Taunt Kill. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATAC1SOEgHI</ref>
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The following weapons can deal guaranteed Critical hits in specific situations in addition to being capable of scoring them at random.
* The [[Sun-on-a-Stick]] crits when striking a burning enemy.
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* The [[Market Gardener]] deals crits while the Soldier wielding it is [[rocket jumping]].
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{{List of weapons with random and situational crits}}
* The [[Backburner]] is guaranteed to crit from behind, but doesn't randomly crit.
 
* The [[Flare Gun]] will score a critical if it hits a player who is already on fire.
 
* The [[Axtinguisher]] will score a critical hit if the victim is on [[fire]], and does half damage otherwise. It may still randomly perform a crit animation, but will not inflict crit damage unless the enemy is burning. When forced to crit, it plays the crit animation and does deal extra damage, though after going through the damage modifier that weakens it.
 
* The [[Eyelander]], [[Claidheamh Mòr]], [[Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker]] and [[Ullapool Caber]] do not roll for random critical hits, but will score critical hits when under the effects of the Kritzkrieg, used by the winning team in humiliation, or when using a full charge of the [[Chargin' Targe]]. The Chargin' Targe can also be used to get a critical hit for the [[Bottle]], [[Pain Train]], [[Scotsman's Skullcutter]] or the [[Frying Pan]].
 
* The [[K.G.B.]] will roll for critical hits like a standard melee weapon. However, upon killing a target, they grant 5 seconds of crit boost to all of the [[Heavy]]'s weapons.
 
* The [[Frontier Justice]] does not roll for random crits. Instead, when the Engineer's [[Sentry Gun]] is destroyed, it accrues Revenge Crits, 2 for every kill and 1 for every assist the Sentry made.
 
* The [[Gunslinger]] will not roll for random crits. Instead, if an Engineer hits an enemy three times, it will perform a critical punch, causing a different [[kill icon]]. The Engineer can hit multiple enemies before unleashing the combo.
 
* Sentry Guns will never inflict random critical hits. However, it will mini-crit enemies covered in Jarate, Scouts under the effect of Crit-a-Cola, Heavies under the effect of Buffalo Steak Sandvich, and will also mini-crit all enemies if the Engineer that built it is being buffed by a friendly [[Soldier]]'s Buff Banner.
 
* The [[Sydney Sleeper]] and [[Southern Hospitality]] do not roll for random crits.
 
* The [[Bushwacka]] will crit at any time it would normally mini-crit, such as: against an enemy [[Scout]] under the effects of [[Crit-a-Cola]], a Heavy under the effect of the Buffalo Steak Sandvich, an enemy soaked by Jarate or if the Sniper is under the effects of an allied Soldier's Buff Banner. It also rolls for crits normally.
 
* The [[Bleeding]] mechanic does not randomly crit, but will mini-crit players covered in Jarate or using Crit-a-Cola.
 
* The Spy's melee weapons only critical hit on a [[Backstab]] and during crit boost (humiliation, captured intelligence, Kritzkrieg).
 
* The [[Sniper Rifle]], [[Ambassador]], [[Huntsman]] and [[Bazaar Bargain]] do not roll for crits, but rather automatically score critical hits on successful [[headshot]]s. The Sniper Rifle can only perform headshot crits while scoped and the Ambassador only when at full accuracy; both will crit under the effect of [[Kritzkrieg]].
 
* [[Backstab]]s instantly kill the enemy by dealing damage equal to 6x their current health.  When forced to crit, the Knife does the backstab animation, while dealing only 120 damage. Although this has not been proven, tests strongly suggest that a backstab inflicts damage equal to 2x the enemy's health and score an automatic crit, with the crit increasing the damage to 6x and producing the backstab animation. This is supported by the fact that when the Spy's knife scores crits during a crit boost, the attack is a backstabbing motion (even when attacking from the front), but the 6x health kill only works from behind (even during crit boost).
 
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== Crit boost ==
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=== Weapons that cannot gain random Critical hits but can gain situational Critical hits ===
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The following weapons have a 0% chance of random Critical hits in all situations, but can still deal Critical hits in specific situations or if the user is Crit-boosted.
  
''Crit boost'' is a state in which a player is guaranteed to deal critical hits with any weapon. A Crit boost is demonstrated by the player's weapon glowing in their team color, with [[Particle_effects#Critical_spark|sparks]] of electricity surging and crackling from it. This affects even weapons that do not normally deal random critical hits, such as the Knife, the Sniper Rifle, the Gunslinger, and the Eyelander, causing them to deal critical attacks for the duration of the boost.
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{{List of weapons without random but with situational crits}}
  
A crit boost can be attained under the following circumstances:
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=== Weapons that cannot gain random Critical hits and cannot gain situational Critical hits ===
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The following weapons have a 0% chance of random Critical hits in all situations and do not have a means of scoring Critical hits on their own, though they can still deliver Critical hits if another effect is in play, such as a [[Kritzkrieg]].
  
* During [[Humiliation]], the winning team is granted a crit boost.
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{{List of weapons without random or situational crits}}
  
* The [[Ubercharge]] from the Kritzkrieg grants the Medic's heal target an 8 second crit boost.  
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=== Weapons that cannot Critical hit in any way ===
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The following weapons cannot deal Critical hits in any way because they Mini-Crit when they normally Crit. Mini-Crits work like normal on these weapons.
  
* Capturing the intelligence in a game of [[Capture the Flag]] gives the entire capturing team a 10 second crit boost. This value can be altered or disabled by the [[server]] host console via a command.
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{{List of weapons unable to crit}}
  
* The Knife, when crit boosted, uses the backstab animation when attacking but deals only triple its base damage on a non-backstab as opposed to killing the target outright. The Axtinguisher plays crit animations when crit boosted and will deal critical damage after the 50% damage modifier if the victim is not on fire. The Southern Hospitality, Powerjack, and most Demoman weapons deal normal critical damage, but do not crit without a crit boost.
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=== Weapons that are exempt ===
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The following items cannot deal Critical hits or Mini-Crits at all, usually because they cannot deal damage. Note that some of the items still glow when Crit-boosted; there is simply no effect.
  
*In the event version of [[Harvest]] and [[Mann Manor]] during Halloween, killed players randomly drop candy-filled [[Halloween pumpkins]]. When picked up, the player is awarded around 3–4 seconds of crit boost.
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{{List of weapons unable to crit or mini-crit}}
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== {{anchor|Crit boost|Crit_boost}} Crit Boost ==
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[[File:Crit boost.png|thumb|right|A crit boosted [[Rocket Launcher]].]]
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'''Crit boost''' is a state in which a player is guaranteed to deal Critical hits with any weapon that is not [[#Weapons that cannot critical hit in any way|specifically unable to score Critical hits]]. A Crit boost is indicated by the player's weapon glowing in their team color, with [[Particle effects#Critical spark|sparks]] of electricity surging and crackling from it. This affects most weapons that do not normally deal random Critical hits, such as the [[Knife]], [[Sniper Rifle]], [[Gunslinger]], and [[Eyelander]], causing them to deal critical attacks for the duration of the boost; however, weapons that do not damage enemies (for example, [[Mad Milk]], [[Jarate]], [[Bonk! Atomic Punch]], or [[Crit-a-Cola]]) do not gain any benefits from Crits. Only the [[Cow Mangler 5000]] is exempt from this rule, as it does Mini-Crits instead of Critical hits.
  
{{anchor|First blood}}
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A Crit boost can be attained under the following circumstances:
=== First Blood ===
 
  
In [[Arena]] mode, a First Blood buff is granted to a player who achieves the first kill of a round. It consists of a five-second crit boost.
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* During [[Match outcomes#Humiliation|Humiliation]], the winning team is granted a Crit boost.
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* The [[ÜberCharge]] from the [[Kritzkrieg]] grants the Medic's heal target an 8 second Crit boost.
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* Capturing the intelligence in a game of [[Capture the Flag]] gives the entire capturing team a 10 second Crit boost. This value can be altered or disabled by the [[server]] host console via a command.
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* On [[Halloween map]]s during Halloween, killed players randomly drop candy-filled [[Halloween pumpkin]]s. When picked up, the player is awarded around 3–4 seconds of Crit boost.
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* On the Map [[Crasher]], the intelligence carrier gains Crits until death.
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* Upon killing an enemy with the [[Killing Gloves of Boxing]], the Heavy is Crit boosted for 5 seconds. The Crit boost applies not only to the Killing Gloves of Boxing, but to all the Heavy's currently equipped weapons.
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* The [[Phlogistinator]] allows a Pyro to Crit boost itself for about 10 seconds upon activating "Mmmph", but the Crit boost only affects the Phlogistinator (or any Flame Thrower he picks up in that 10 second period).
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* In [[Mann vs. Machine]], players can fill their [[Power Up Canteen]] with a Critical hit Boost buff, which grants them a 5 second Crit boost upon activation.
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* In the [[Versus Saxton Hale]] game mode, all melee weapons except the [[Market Gardener]], [[Holiday Punch]], and all Spy melee weapons are Crit boosted.
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* The last player in either Versus Saxton Hale or [[Zombie Infection]] gains Critical hits for all weapons.
  
*If players switch weapons during the buff, the electricity around their weapon will disappear, but critical hits will still be delivered.
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=== {{anchor|First blood}} First Blood ===
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{{Redirects here|First Blood|for=Scout achievement|Scout achievements}}
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In [[Arena|Arena Mode]], a ''''First Blood'''' buff is granted to a player who achieves the first kill of a round. It consists of a five-second Crit boost.
  
*Triggering a [[Dead Ringer|feign death]] gives the attacker the First Blood buff.  
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* If players switch weapons during the buff, the electricity around their weapon disappears, but Critical hits are still delivered.
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* Triggering the [[Dead Ringer]]'s feigned death gives the attacker the 'First Blood' buff.
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* The 'First Blood' buff counts as an ÜberCharge towards the [[Heavy achievements|Heavy achievement]] ''Supreme Soviet''.
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* Obtaining 'First Blood' as a Scout unlocks the ''First Blood'' [[Scout achievements|achievement]]; killing five enemies with 'First Blood' unlocks ''First Blood, Part 2''.
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* The 'First Blood' achievement can also be earned by a Scout in [[Competitive Mode]], but no Critical hits are awarded for the first kill.
  
*The First Blood buff counts as an ÜberCharge towards the [[Heavy achievements|Heavy achievement]] "''Supreme Soviet''".
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== Mini-Crits {{anchor|Mini-crits}} ==
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[[File:Minicrits.png|right|350px|A Demoman being pelted by Mini-Crits.]]
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[[File:Marked for death Skull Hover.png|thumb|right|300px|Icon displayed above targets "[[Mechanics#MarkedForDeath|Marked For Death]]", indicating they receive Mini-Crits from all sources.]]
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[[File:Marked for death Icon.png|thumb|right|300px|HUD Icon displayed when the player is Marked For Death, indicating receiving Mini-Crits from all sources.]]
  
== Mini-Crits ==
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'''Mini-Crits''' add an extra 35% damage to a weapon's damage. Like normal Critical hits, they ignore damage falloff, but unlike Critical hits, they are still given ramp-up at close range and random damage spread if enabled. Full Critical hits override Mini-Crits. Like full Critical hits, Mini-Crits have a glowing red outline in their kill icons and are displayed with a larger font when combat text is enabled. If the player is under a Mini-Crit buff state (such as the Buff Banner or Buffalo Steak Sandvich), or the victim is under a Mini-Crit debuff state (such as being covered in Jarate or marked for death), all taunt attacks also Mini-Crit. Aesthetically, Mini-Crits do not trigger critical death lines from victims, unlike full Critical hits.
[[Image:Minicrits.png|right|350px|A Demoman being pelted by minicrits]]
 
'''Mini-Crits''' add an extra 35% damage to a weapon's base-damage — more accurately, they ensure that a weapon does at least 135% its base damage. Like normal critical hits, they ignore damage fall off, but unlike critical hits, they are still given ramp-up at close range and random spread. Full crits override mini-crits. Like full crits, mini-crits will have a glowing red outline in their kill icons.
 
  
Currently there are thirteen ways to achieve a mini-crit:
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A [[#Mini-crit boost|Mini-Crit]] can be dealt under the following circumstances:
*Hitting Jarate coated enemies.
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* Attacking from behind as a Scout while using the [[Back Scatter]] from around {{Tooltip|~9.5m - 30 cm|~31 feet - 1 feet, 500 hammer units}}.
*Melee hits midway through a Chargin' Targe charge.
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* Attacking as a Scout under the effects of the [[Crit-a-Cola]].
*Attacking an enemy while under the effects of a friendly Soldier's Buff Banner.
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* Attacking as a Scout with the [[Atomizer]] whilst airborne.
*Hitting an airborne enemy who was propelled by an explosion with the [[Direct Hit]].
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* Attacking while under the effects of a friendly Soldier's [[Buff Banner]].
*Attacking an enemy as a Scout while under the effects of Crit-a-Cola.
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* Shooting enemies with the [[Cow Mangler 5000]]'s charged shot.
*Attacking an enemy Scout who is under the effects of Crit-a-Cola.
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* Firing the [[Cow Mangler 5000]] while Crit boosted.
*Attacking an enemy as a Heavy while under the effects of [[Buffalo Steak Sandvich]].
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* Attacking as a Heavy under the effects of the [[Buffalo Steak Sandvich]].
*Attacking an enemy Heavy who is under the effects of Buffalo Steak Sandvich.
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* As a Pyro, hitting an enemy with a [[reflect]]ed non-Crit [[projectile]] (other than stickybombs and non-damaging projectiles).
*Additionally, the Pyro's [[compression blast]] 'upgrades' projectiles it reflects, other than [[Stickybomb]]s, to mini-crits.
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* Melee hits midway through your [[Chargin' Targe]] or [[Splendid Screen]] charge.
*Attacking an enemy marked by the [[Fan O'War]].
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* Melee hits at any point through your [[Tide Turner]] charge.
*Attacking as a Scout while under the Hype effect of the [[Soda Popper]].
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* Activating "CRIKEY" charge with the [[Cleaner's Carbine]].
*Shooting an airborne enemy with the [[Reserve Shooter]] during the 3-second Mini-crit period it has after switching to it.
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* Hitting a headshot as Sniper using the [[Sydney Sleeper]].
*Hitting a burning enemy with the [[Detonator]].
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* Being the last 3 remaining players in Versus Saxton Hale or Zombie Infection.
  
Former ways to achieve a mini-crit:
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There are also currently seven effects that force a particular player to take Mini-Crits from all incoming damage (see also: [[Mechanics#MarkedForDeath|Marked For Death]]):
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* Being marked by the [[Fan O'War]].
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* Being an Engineer who is [[haul]]ing a [[Buildings|building]] with the [[Rescue Ranger]] equipped, or has done so in the last three seconds.
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* Being covered in [[Jarate]].
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* Being a Soldier who has the [[Escape Plan]] active, or had it active in the last second.
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* Being a Scout and attacking while under the effects of the Crit-a-Cola.
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* Being a Intelligence courier in the [[Mannpower]] gamemode who has held the flag for more than 90 seconds without capturing it.
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* Carrying the JACK from the [[PASS Time]] gamemode without nearby teammates.
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* Being hit by an egg sack explosion or a [[Skeletons|Salmann]] on [[Slime]].
  
*The [[Sun-on-a-Stick]] originally dealt mini-crits on burning enemies. It currently deals full crits.
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Finally, there are four ways of achieving Mini-Crits that require both the attacker and the target to be in a particular situation:
*The [[Flare Gun]] originally dealt mini-crits on burning enemies at close range. It currently deals full crits regardless of range.
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* Hitting an airborne enemy with the [[Direct Hit]] who was propelled airborne by an explosion.
*Formerly mini-crits could be delivered by headshotting enemies with the [[Ambassador]]. It currently deals full crits.
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* Shooting an airborne enemy who was propelled airborne by any source of [[knockback]] except [[Compression Blast]], using the [[Grappling Hook]], or Pyros using the [[Thermal Thruster]] with the [[Reserve Shooter]].
*The Pyro's compression blast was formerly able to turn enemy Stickybombs into Mini-crits by reflecting them. It now gives no mini-crit boost on reflecting Stickybombs.
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* Hitting a burning enemy with the [[Detonator]], [[Scorch Shot]], [[Axtinguisher]], or [[Postal Pummeler]].
*The Direct Hit formerly dealt mini-crits to any airborne target. The weapon now inflicts mini-crit damage to airborne targets who have been launched into the air by an explosion.
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* Directly impacting an enemy within half a second before a cannonball explosion with the [[Loose Cannon]] (a Double Donk).
  
 
=== Mini-Crit boost ===
 
=== Mini-Crit boost ===
A mini-crit boost is the state of having all damage being dealt modified in to mini-crit damage. Currently this is achievable while under the effects of Crit-a-Cola, an active Buff Banner, or a Buffalo Steak Sandvich. While being mini-crit boosted, the player's active weapon glows a faint yellow on [[RED]], or a faint blue-green on [[BLU]], and has the same color effect of particles swirling around their feet.
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A '''Mini-Crit boost''' is the state of having all damage being dealt modified into Mini-Crit damage. Currently, this is achievable while under the effects of the Crit-a-Cola, an active Buff Banner, activating the Cleaner's Carbine's "CRIKEY" charge, and while under the effects of the Buffalo Steak Sandvich. When a player is Mini-Crit boosted from the Buff Banner, their active weapon glows a faint yellow on [[RED]], or a faint blue-green on [[BLU]], while the same color effect of particles swirl around their feet, and the text "Mini Crit!" appears above their health bar. Being Mini-Crit boosted by the Crit-a-Cola looks more like a normal Crit boost, but the weapon glows lighter.
  
All damage sources, including [[Afterburn]] and Sentry Guns, only deal mini-crit damage when the player dealing the damage is being boosted. i.e. If the player leaves the boost (for whatever reason) after firing a projectile and while the projectile is in mid-flight, it will lose its status as mini-critical. Conversely, after a Pyro sets fire to several players, returning to a mini-crit boost will immediately transform any Afterburn damage to mini-crit status. Sentry Guns will only mini-crit while the Engineer is being mini-crit boosted.
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All damage sources, including [[afterburn]] and Sentry Guns, only deal Mini-Crit damage when the player dealing the damage is being boosted. If the player loses the boost after firing a projectile while the projectile is in mid-flight, it loses its status as a Mini-Crit. Conversely, after the Pyro sets fire to several players, returning to a Mini-Crit boost immediately transforms any afterburn damage to Mini-Crit status. Sentry Guns only Mini-Crit while the Engineer is being Mini-Crit boosted.
 
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== Related Achievements ==
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== Related achievements ==
 
=== {{class link|Scout}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Scout}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
| 1 =
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| 1 = {{Show achievement|Scout|First Blood}}
{{Show achievement|Scout|First Blood}}
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| 2 = {{Show achievement|Scout|First Blood, Part 2}}
| 2 =
 
{{Show achievement|Scout|First Blood, Part 2}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
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=== {{class link|Soldier}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Soldier}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
| 1 =
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| 1 = {{Show achievement|Soldier|Crockets Are Such B.S.}}
{{Show achievement|Soldier|Crockets Are Such B.S.}}
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| 2 = {{Show achievement|Soldier|Tri-Splatteral Damage}}
| 2 =
 
{{Show achievement|Soldier|Tri-Splatteral Damage}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
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=== {{class link|Pyro}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Pyro}} ===
{{Show achievement|Pyro|Hotshot|width=50%}}
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{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Pyro|Hotshot}}
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}}
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=== {{class link|Demoman}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Demoman}} ===
{{Show achievement|Demoman|Beat Me Up, Scotty|width=50%}}
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{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Demoman|Beat Me Up, Scotty}}
 +
}}
 +
 
  
 
=== {{class link|Heavy}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Heavy}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
| 1 =
+
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Heavy|Communist Mani-Fisto}}
{{Show achievement|Heavy|Communist Mani-Fisto}}
+
| 2 = {{Show achievement|Heavy|Crock Block}}
| 2 =
 
{{Show achievement|Heavy|Crock Block}}
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
  
 
=== {{class link|Engineer}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Engineer}} ===
 
{{Achievement table
 
{{Achievement table
| 1 =
+
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Engineer|Revengineering}}
{{Show achievement|Engineer|Revengineering}}
+
| 2 = {{Show achievement|Engineer|Unforgiven }}
| 2 =
 
{{Show achievement|Engineer|Unforgiven }}
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
  
 
=== {{class link|Medic}} ===
 
=== {{class link|Medic}} ===
{{Show achievement|Medic|Triage|width=50%}}
+
{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Medic|Triage}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== {{Achiev type link|foundry}} ===
 +
{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Foundry|Cap Trap}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== {{Achiev type link|mvm}} ===
 +
{{Achievement table
 +
| 1 = {{Show achievement|Mann vs. Machievements|Kritical Terror}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Update history ==
 
== Update history ==
{{update history|
+
{{Update history | '''{{Patch name|12|20|2007}}'''
'''[[December 20, 2007 Patch]]'''
 
 
* Fixed critical bullet tracers not being visible to players other than the firer.
 
* Fixed critical bullet tracers not being visible to players other than the firer.
  
'''[[February 14, 2008 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|2|14|2008}}'''
* Added a small delay (200 ms) before a zoomed Sniper shot can get a critical hit.
+
* Added a small delay (200 ms) before a zoomed Sniper shot can get a Critical hit.
  
'''[[March 6, 2008 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|2|28|2008}}'''
 +
* Added options for servers who want to become custom games: Disable Critical hits (tf_weapon_criticals), eliminate respawn times (mp_disable_respawn_times), and raise maxplayers above 24.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|3|6|2008}}'''
 
* Fixed critical modifier for explosive weapons (rockets, pipe bombs) increasing critical chance more than intended.
 
* Fixed critical modifier for explosive weapons (rockets, pipe bombs) increasing critical chance more than intended.
  
'''[[February 24, 2009 Patch]]''' ([[Scout Update]])
+
'''{{Patch name|2|2|2009}}'''
* Added crit boosted on/off sound effects.
+
* Modified Critical hit calculation. Overall, Critical hit chance is now much more recent-performance based:
 +
** Base chance is now 2% (was 5%)
 +
** Bonus range based on damage done changed from 0%-15% to 0%-10
 +
** Damage range required for bonus changed from 0-1600 to 0-800
 +
* Sniper Rifle now supports Crit Boost state like all other weapons (i.e. Kritzkrieg makes all shots Critical hits)
  
'''[[July 14, 2009 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|2|24|2009}}''' ([[Scout Update]])
 +
* Added Crit boosted on/off sound effects.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|7|14|2009}}'''
 
* Fixed Mini-Crits resulting in reduced damage for weapons at close ranges.
 
* Fixed Mini-Crits resulting in reduced damage for weapons at close ranges.
  
'''[[July 21, 2009 Patch (Xbox)]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|7|21|2009|xbox}}'''
 
* Added Option to Toggle Critical hits.
 
* Added Option to Toggle Critical hits.
  
'''[[September 30, 2010 Patch]]''' ([[Mann-Conomy Update]])
+
'''{{Patch name|7|13|2010}}'''
* {{Undocumented}} The Frontier Justice now works correctly with critical boosts.
+
* Improved the performance of the critboost [[Particle effects|particle effect]].
  
'''[[October 19, 2010 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|9|30|2010}}''' ([[Mann-Conomy Update]])
* Fixed the Holy Mackerel hit triggering the first blood event in Arena mode
+
* {{Undocumented}} The [[Frontier Justice]] now works correctly with critical boosts.
  
'''[[January 10, 2011 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|10|19|2010}}'''
* Fixed the Heavy's [[Fists]] not playing the critical hit animation.
+
* Fixed the [[Holy Mackerel]] hit triggering the first blood event in Arena mode.
  
'''[[February 7, 2011 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|1|10|2011}}'''
* The Sun-on-a-Stick was changed to always mini-crit against burning targets if the attack is not already critical.
+
* Fixed the Heavy's [[Fists]] not playing the Critical hit animation.
  
'''[[March 11, 2011 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|2|7|2011}}'''
* Fixed the revenge crit label not being localized correctly.
+
* The [[Sun-on-a-Stick]] was changed to always Mini-Crit against burning targets if the attack is not already critical.
  
'''[[April 14, 2011 Patch]]''' ([[Hatless Update]])
+
'''{{Patch name|3|11|2011}}'''
* Replaced the no-crit attribute with -25% damage on the following: the [[Eyelander]], the [[Gunslinger]], the [[Southern Hospitality]], the [[Powerjack]], the [[Horseless Headless Horseman's Headtaker]], the [[Ullapool Caber]], and the [[Claidheamh Mòr]].
+
* Fixed the revenge Crit label not being localized correctly.
  
'''[[April 15, 2011 Patch]]'''
+
'''{{Patch name|4|14|2011}}''' ([[Hatless Update]])
* Replaced the -25% damage attribute with no-crit attribute on the following: the Eyelander, the Gunslinger, the Southern Hospitality, the Horseless Headless Horsemann's Headtaker, the Ullapool Caber, and the Claidheamh Mòr.
+
* Replaced the no-Crit attribute with -25% damage on the following:
}}
+
** [[Eyelander]]
 +
** [[Gunslinger]]
 +
** [[Southern Hospitality]]
 +
** [[Powerjack]]
 +
** [[Horseless Headless Horseman's Headtaker]]
 +
** [[Ullapool Caber]]
 +
** [[Claidheamh Mòr]].
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|4|15|2011}}'''
 +
* Replaced the -25% damage attribute with no-Crit attribute on the following:
 +
** Eyelander
 +
** Gunslinger
 +
** Southern Hospitality
 +
** Horseless Headless Horseman's Headtaker
 +
** Ullapool Caber
 +
** Claidheamh Mòr
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|6|28|2011}}'''
 +
* Fixed a case where Crit Boost effects were being removed from players being healed.
 +
* Fixed a problem with [[Arena]] mode first blood Crit Boost not removing itself at the correct time.
 +
 
 +
'''{{patch name|2|2|2012}}'''
 +
* Fixed a [[server]] crash caused by [[Holiday Punch]] critical attacks on physics objects.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|4|27|2012}}'''
 +
* {{Undocumented}} [[Stickybomb Launcher|Stickybombs]] and [[Grenade Launcher|grenades]] now have a team-colored aura when fired and a rapidly flashing critical particle effect.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|12|21|2012}}'''
 +
* Fixed a regression with Mini-Crit damage calculation.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|1|8|2013}}'''
 +
* Fixed a regression where Mini-Crits were being affected by long-range damage fall-off.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|1|7|2015}}'''
 +
* Fixed the Crit Boost material effect for the [[Panic Attack]].
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|2|11|2015}} #1'''
 +
* Fixed the [[Panic Attack]] not using the correct sound for Crits.
 +
 
 +
'''{{Patch name|3|12|2015}}'''
 +
* Fixed an exploit related to the [[Gunslinger]] and hitting teammates to generate a guaranteed third hit that is critical.
 +
* Fixed the [[Phlogistinator]]'s bottle not getting the Crit-boost material effect.}}
 +
 
 +
== Bugs ==
 +
* The vast majority of effects and achievements cannot tell the difference between a Critical hit and a Mini-Crit, and as a result treat all Mini-Crits as regular Crits. This makes it possible to gain a majority of Crit-based achievements using only Mini-Crits.
 +
* The "MINI Crit!" text is still displayed when combat text is enabled if a teammate assists you with a Mini-Crit, instead of showing the damage they dealt.
 +
* Occasionally, when dying while being Crit boosted, the particle effect and sound still play despite not giving Critical hits.
 +
** The sound bug can be fixed by typing <code>snd_restart</code> into the [[console]].
 +
* Sometimes, when firing a shot that is a critical, it does not play the critical sound effect. This only affects random Critical hits.
 +
** The opposite could also happen, the critical sound plays but no Critical hit is fired.
  
==Bugs==
+
== Notes ==
* When a player that has been granted a crit boost from capturing the flag, earning a K.G.B. kill, or earning first blood in an Arena match, coming in contact with a healing beam will end the crit boost prematurely. Healing beams come from coming in to contact with a Dispenser, or when a Medic is healing the player with their Medi Gun.
+
* Crit indicators are still displayed even if the victim is ÜberCharged and receives no damage.
*The crit boost electricity effect will randomly appear on its own in large quantities in the map at the end of a round.
+
* Even when a Spy feigns death with the Dead Ringer, the "CRITICAL HIT!!!" bonus-effect text follows the cloaked Spy normally, giving away the Spy's position.
  
==Trivia==
+
== Gallery ==
*Crits and mini-crits do not stack in any form - that is, meeting multiple conditions to earn a crit or a mini-crit will not deal any more than regular critical damage. For example, the Frontier Justice's Revenge Crits do not deal any additional damage when the Engineer is Kritzkrieged, while attacking an enemy under the influence of both Jarate and the Fan-O-War will only result in a single mini-crit. This means that team co-ordination is required if multiple players have ways to increase their crit output, or extra damage will be wasted.
+
<gallery perrow=3>
**In the same way, crits override mini-crits; earning a full critical hit will make any mini-crits useless.
+
File:Crit Arrows.png|Crit [[Huntsman|Arrows]].
*Critical hits are coded in the Source Engine as chemical damage.
+
File:Crit Baseballs.png|Crit [[Sandman|Baseballs]].
 +
File:Crit Bullets.png|Crit [[Hitscan|Bullets]].
 +
File:Crit Flames.png|Crit [[Fire|Flames]].
 +
File:Crit Grenades.png|Crit [[Grenade Launcher|Grenades]].
 +
File:Crit Rockets.png|Crit [[Rocket Launcher|Rockets]].
 +
File:Crit Stickybombs.png|Crit [[Stickybomb Launcher|Stickybombs]].
 +
File:Crit Syringes.png|Crit [[Syringe Gun|Syringes]].
 +
File:Monoculus Crit Projectile.png|Crit [[MONOCULUS]] eyeball projectiles.
 +
File:crit spark.png|Spark sprite.
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
{{Mechanics Nav}}
  
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]
 
[[Category:Gameplay]]

Latest revision as of 13:00, 30 September 2024

The Engineer feeling a critical hit.

Critical hits, also known as crits or full crits, are attacks that do extra damage and have distinctive sound effects when fired and upon hitting a target. Players on the receiving end of the attack have the words "CRITICAL HIT!!!" in green, or "MINI-CRIT!" in yellow, respectively, appear above their head. Buildings are immune to both types.

Critical hits can be easily distinguished from normal hits. Most melee weapons have a unique swinging animation, projectiles such as rockets or stickybombs have a team-colored glow and sparkle effect (exemptions are the Cow Mangler 5000, the Righteous Bison, and the Pomson 6000), bullets have team-colored trails, and flamethrowers produce additional team-colored particles. These visual effects are accompanied by a crackling electric sound upon firing and receiving a Critical hit.

Self-inflicted Critical hits do not deal critical damage to the user, but still play the sound effect.

Critical hits deal three times the base damage of the weapon and ignore both the distance modification and the random damage modification of normal shots, though explosive weapon Critical hits still suffer from splash damage fall-off. As a result, weapons that are normally merely nuisances at long range (such as Miniguns) can become dangerous when critical hitting. The extra damage ignores most resistances, meaning it cannot be resisted by the Vaccinator's normal healing or Upgrade Station buffs — though other mechanics can target the critical damage specifically, such as the Battalion's Backup and the Vaccinator's ÜberCharge, which fully neutralize the extra damage.

When a player is killed by a Critical hit, the class lets out a loud scream that differs from ordinary non-melee deaths, unless the class was gibbed (in which case they let out a larger "ouch" noise than explosive kills usually cause). The kill feed icon for a Critical hit surrounds the weapon icon with a red glow.

Critical hits and Mini-Crits do not stack in any form — that is, meeting multiple conditions to earn a Critical hit or a Mini-Crit do not deal any more than the normal damage boost. For example, the Frontier Justice's "Revenge" Critical hits do not deal any additional damage if the Engineer is ÜberCharged by a Kritzkrieg, nor does a player marked for death and coated in Jarate suffer more than standard Mini-Crits. This means that team coordination is required if multiple players have ways to increase their Critical hit output, or extra damage is wasted. If both a Mini-Crit and full Critical hit occur with the same attack, the Critical hit overrides the Mini-Crit.

Critical hit chance

See also: Damage
Critical hit chance based on damage.

The base Critical hit chance for standard weapons is 2%. This is modified by a bonus percentage based on how much damage the player has done in the last 20 seconds, which scales from 0% at 0 damage to 10% at 800 damage.[1] For example, if the player has dealt 200 damage in the past 20 seconds, the additional bonus percentage is 2.5% and so the overall Critical hit chance is 4.5%. As a result, the highest natural Critical hit chance attainable is 12%.

Melee weapons are designed to Critical hit far more often than ranged ones in order to encourage their usage at close range. Their base Critical hit chance starts at 15% — higher than attainable for ranged weapons with the recent damage bonus maxed out — and their recent damage bonus scales from 0% to 45%, meaning a player that has done 800 damage or more in the last 20 seconds has a melee Critical hit rate of 60%.

Among those weapons that trigger randomly, Critical hit probability is determined differently based on the type of weapon. Single-shot weapons, such as the Shotgun, Revolver, and the Rocket Launcher, determine the chance to Critical hit with every shot. Thus, every shot of the Shotgun has a 2% chance to launch a flurry of critical pellets, assuming no previous damage done. Rapid-fire weapons, which include the Minigun, Syringe Gun, Flame Thrower, and the Pistol, check for Critical hits once a second. With weapons like these, a positive Critical hit determination results in all shots for the next two seconds being critical. This only applies to the active weapon; getting two seconds of Critical hits on one's Pistol does not cause their Shotgun to fire Critical hits during this time.

Special cases

An Engineer with the Frontier Justice's Revenge Crits available.

There is a wide variety of situations that affect whether a weapon can deal Critical hits or not.

Weapons that can gain both random Critical hits and situational Critical hits

The following weapons can deal guaranteed Critical hits in specific situations in addition to being capable of scoring them at random.

Weapons that cannot gain random Critical hits but can gain situational Critical hits

The following weapons have a 0% chance of random Critical hits in all situations, but can still deal Critical hits in specific situations or if the user is Crit-boosted.

Weapons that cannot gain random Critical hits and cannot gain situational Critical hits

The following weapons have a 0% chance of random Critical hits in all situations and do not have a means of scoring Critical hits on their own, though they can still deliver Critical hits if another effect is in play, such as a Kritzkrieg.

Weapons that cannot Critical hit in any way

The following weapons cannot deal Critical hits in any way because they Mini-Crit when they normally Crit. Mini-Crits work like normal on these weapons.


Weapons that are exempt

The following items cannot deal Critical hits or Mini-Crits at all, usually because they cannot deal damage. Note that some of the items still glow when Crit-boosted; there is simply no effect.


Crit Boost

A crit boosted Rocket Launcher.

Crit boost is a state in which a player is guaranteed to deal Critical hits with any weapon that is not specifically unable to score Critical hits. A Crit boost is indicated by the player's weapon glowing in their team color, with sparks of electricity surging and crackling from it. This affects most weapons that do not normally deal random Critical hits, such as the Knife, Sniper Rifle, Gunslinger, and Eyelander, causing them to deal critical attacks for the duration of the boost; however, weapons that do not damage enemies (for example, Mad Milk, Jarate, Bonk! Atomic Punch, or Crit-a-Cola) do not gain any benefits from Crits. Only the Cow Mangler 5000 is exempt from this rule, as it does Mini-Crits instead of Critical hits.

A Crit boost can be attained under the following circumstances:

  • During Humiliation, the winning team is granted a Crit boost.
  • The ÜberCharge from the Kritzkrieg grants the Medic's heal target an 8 second Crit boost.
  • Capturing the intelligence in a game of Capture the Flag gives the entire capturing team a 10 second Crit boost. This value can be altered or disabled by the server host console via a command.
  • On Halloween maps during Halloween, killed players randomly drop candy-filled Halloween pumpkins. When picked up, the player is awarded around 3–4 seconds of Crit boost.
  • On the Map Crasher, the intelligence carrier gains Crits until death.
  • Upon killing an enemy with the Killing Gloves of Boxing, the Heavy is Crit boosted for 5 seconds. The Crit boost applies not only to the Killing Gloves of Boxing, but to all the Heavy's currently equipped weapons.
  • The Phlogistinator allows a Pyro to Crit boost itself for about 10 seconds upon activating "Mmmph", but the Crit boost only affects the Phlogistinator (or any Flame Thrower he picks up in that 10 second period).
  • In Mann vs. Machine, players can fill their Power Up Canteen with a Critical hit Boost buff, which grants them a 5 second Crit boost upon activation.
  • In the Versus Saxton Hale game mode, all melee weapons except the Market Gardener, Holiday Punch, and all Spy melee weapons are Crit boosted.
  • The last player in either Versus Saxton Hale or Zombie Infection gains Critical hits for all weapons.

First Blood

"First Blood" redirects here. For Scout achievement, see Scout achievements.

In Arena Mode, a 'First Blood' buff is granted to a player who achieves the first kill of a round. It consists of a five-second Crit boost.

  • If players switch weapons during the buff, the electricity around their weapon disappears, but Critical hits are still delivered.
  • Triggering the Dead Ringer's feigned death gives the attacker the 'First Blood' buff.
  • The 'First Blood' buff counts as an ÜberCharge towards the Heavy achievement Supreme Soviet.
  • Obtaining 'First Blood' as a Scout unlocks the First Blood achievement; killing five enemies with 'First Blood' unlocks First Blood, Part 2.
  • The 'First Blood' achievement can also be earned by a Scout in Competitive Mode, but no Critical hits are awarded for the first kill.

Mini-Crits

A Demoman being pelted by Mini-Crits.
Icon displayed above targets "Marked For Death", indicating they receive Mini-Crits from all sources.
HUD Icon displayed when the player is Marked For Death, indicating receiving Mini-Crits from all sources.

Mini-Crits add an extra 35% damage to a weapon's damage. Like normal Critical hits, they ignore damage falloff, but unlike Critical hits, they are still given ramp-up at close range and random damage spread if enabled. Full Critical hits override Mini-Crits. Like full Critical hits, Mini-Crits have a glowing red outline in their kill icons and are displayed with a larger font when combat text is enabled. If the player is under a Mini-Crit buff state (such as the Buff Banner or Buffalo Steak Sandvich), or the victim is under a Mini-Crit debuff state (such as being covered in Jarate or marked for death), all taunt attacks also Mini-Crit. Aesthetically, Mini-Crits do not trigger critical death lines from victims, unlike full Critical hits.

A Mini-Crit can be dealt under the following circumstances:

There are also currently seven effects that force a particular player to take Mini-Crits from all incoming damage (see also: Marked For Death):

  • Being marked by the Fan O'War.
  • Being an Engineer who is hauling a building with the Rescue Ranger equipped, or has done so in the last three seconds.
  • Being covered in Jarate.
  • Being a Soldier who has the Escape Plan active, or had it active in the last second.
  • Being a Scout and attacking while under the effects of the Crit-a-Cola.
  • Being a Intelligence courier in the Mannpower gamemode who has held the flag for more than 90 seconds without capturing it.
  • Carrying the JACK from the PASS Time gamemode without nearby teammates.
  • Being hit by an egg sack explosion or a Salmann on Slime.

Finally, there are four ways of achieving Mini-Crits that require both the attacker and the target to be in a particular situation:

Mini-Crit boost

A Mini-Crit boost is the state of having all damage being dealt modified into Mini-Crit damage. Currently, this is achievable while under the effects of the Crit-a-Cola, an active Buff Banner, activating the Cleaner's Carbine's "CRIKEY" charge, and while under the effects of the Buffalo Steak Sandvich. When a player is Mini-Crit boosted from the Buff Banner, their active weapon glows a faint yellow on RED, or a faint blue-green on BLU, while the same color effect of particles swirl around their feet, and the text "Mini Crit!" appears above their health bar. Being Mini-Crit boosted by the Crit-a-Cola looks more like a normal Crit boost, but the weapon glows lighter.

All damage sources, including afterburn and Sentry Guns, only deal Mini-Crit damage when the player dealing the damage is being boosted. If the player loses the boost after firing a projectile while the projectile is in mid-flight, it loses its status as a Mini-Crit. Conversely, after the Pyro sets fire to several players, returning to a Mini-Crit boost immediately transforms any afterburn damage to Mini-Crit status. Sentry Guns only Mini-Crit while the Engineer is being Mini-Crit boosted.

Related achievements

Leaderboard class scout.png Scout

First Blood
First Blood
Get the first kill in an Arena or Competitive match.
First Blood, Part 2
First Blood, Part 2
Kill 5 enemies with the First Blood crit buff in an Arena match.


Leaderboard class soldier.png Soldier

Crockets Are Such B.S.
Crockets Are Such B.S.
Shoot two non-boosted crit rockets in a row.
Tri-Splatteral Damage
Tri-Splatteral Damage
Kill 3 enemies with a single critical rocket.


Leaderboard class pyro.png Pyro

Hotshot
Hotshot
Kill a Soldier with a reflected critical rocket.


Leaderboard class demoman.png Demoman

Beat Me Up, Scotty
Beat Me Up, Scotty
Use a critical swing with the Eyelander to kill 5 enemy players.


Leaderboard class heavy.png Heavy

Communist Mani-Fisto
Communist Mani-Fisto
Kill an enemy with a critical punch.
Crock Block
Crock Block
Survive a direct hit from a critical rocket.


Leaderboard class engineer.png Engineer

Revengineering
Revengineering
Use a revenge crit to kill the enemy player that destroyed your sentry gun.
Unforgiven
Unforgiven
Kill 3 enemies with revenge crits without dying.


Leaderboard class medic.png Medic

Triage
Triage
Deploy an ÜberCharge on a teammate less than a second before they're hit by a critical explosive.


Controlpoint.png Foundry achievements

Cap Trap
Cap Trap
Kill an enemy who is capturing a control point with a critical hit.


Mvm navicon.png Mann vs. Machievements

Kritical Terror
Kritical Terror
Use a canteen charged with 'Crit Boost' to destroy a giant robot.

Update history

December 20, 2007 Patch
  • Fixed critical bullet tracers not being visible to players other than the firer.

February 14, 2008 Patch

  • Added a small delay (200 ms) before a zoomed Sniper shot can get a Critical hit.

February 28, 2008 Patch

  • Added options for servers who want to become custom games: Disable Critical hits (tf_weapon_criticals), eliminate respawn times (mp_disable_respawn_times), and raise maxplayers above 24.

March 6, 2008 Patch

  • Fixed critical modifier for explosive weapons (rockets, pipe bombs) increasing critical chance more than intended.

February 2, 2009 Patch

  • Modified Critical hit calculation. Overall, Critical hit chance is now much more recent-performance based:
    • Base chance is now 2% (was 5%)
    • Bonus range based on damage done changed from 0%-15% to 0%-10
    • Damage range required for bonus changed from 0-1600 to 0-800
  • Sniper Rifle now supports Crit Boost state like all other weapons (i.e. Kritzkrieg makes all shots Critical hits)

February 24, 2009 Patch (Scout Update)

  • Added Crit boosted on/off sound effects.

July 14, 2009 Patch

  • Fixed Mini-Crits resulting in reduced damage for weapons at close ranges.

July 21, 2009 Patch (Xbox)

  • Added Option to Toggle Critical hits.

July 13, 2010 Patch

September 30, 2010 Patch (Mann-Conomy Update)

October 19, 2010 Patch

  • Fixed the Holy Mackerel hit triggering the first blood event in Arena mode.

January 10, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed the Heavy's Fists not playing the Critical hit animation.

February 7, 2011 Patch

  • The Sun-on-a-Stick was changed to always Mini-Crit against burning targets if the attack is not already critical.

March 11, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed the revenge Crit label not being localized correctly.

April 14, 2011 Patch (Hatless Update)

April 15, 2011 Patch

  • Replaced the -25% damage attribute with no-Crit attribute on the following:
    • Eyelander
    • Gunslinger
    • Southern Hospitality
    • Horseless Headless Horseman's Headtaker
    • Ullapool Caber
    • Claidheamh Mòr

June 28, 2011 Patch

  • Fixed a case where Crit Boost effects were being removed from players being healed.
  • Fixed a problem with Arena mode first blood Crit Boost not removing itself at the correct time.

February 2, 2012 Patch

April 27, 2012 Patch

  • [Undocumented] Stickybombs and grenades now have a team-colored aura when fired and a rapidly flashing critical particle effect.

December 21, 2012 Patch

  • Fixed a regression with Mini-Crit damage calculation.

January 8, 2013 Patch

  • Fixed a regression where Mini-Crits were being affected by long-range damage fall-off.

January 7, 2015 Patch

February 11, 2015 Patch #1

  • Fixed the Panic Attack not using the correct sound for Crits.

March 12, 2015 Patch

  • Fixed an exploit related to the Gunslinger and hitting teammates to generate a guaranteed third hit that is critical.
  • Fixed the Phlogistinator's bottle not getting the Crit-boost material effect.

Bugs

  • The vast majority of effects and achievements cannot tell the difference between a Critical hit and a Mini-Crit, and as a result treat all Mini-Crits as regular Crits. This makes it possible to gain a majority of Crit-based achievements using only Mini-Crits.
  • The "MINI Crit!" text is still displayed when combat text is enabled if a teammate assists you with a Mini-Crit, instead of showing the damage they dealt.
  • Occasionally, when dying while being Crit boosted, the particle effect and sound still play despite not giving Critical hits.
    • The sound bug can be fixed by typing snd_restart into the console.
  • Sometimes, when firing a shot that is a critical, it does not play the critical sound effect. This only affects random Critical hits.
    • The opposite could also happen, the critical sound plays but no Critical hit is fired.

Notes

  • Crit indicators are still displayed even if the victim is ÜberCharged and receives no damage.
  • Even when a Spy feigns death with the Dead Ringer, the "CRITICAL HIT!!!" bonus-effect text follows the cloaked Spy normally, giving away the Spy's position.

Gallery

References