Description
As with any RPG game, a critical hit is an attack that hits a weak point in the target and is thus considered lethal, giving it extra damage, nearly all enemies in the Borderlands have at least one critical hit point, and is recommended that players find and aim for said targets.
Weapon Damage Calculation
Critical hits multiply the weapon's damage by two factors: first, the critical multiplier of the weapon type; second, the sum of all bonuses to critical hit damage (usually from abilities, but also from sniper rifles and a few weapon parts).
- CriticalDamage = CardDamage × CriticalMultiplier × BaseBonus
- where
- CriticalMultiplier = Weapon Type Multiplier x Weapon Body Multiplier + Weapon Barrel Multiplier
- and
- Base Bonus = 100% + Weapon Type Bonus + Weapon Body Bonus + Weapon Prefix Bonus + Skill Bonuses
Weapons with the effect "Deals Bonus Elemental Damage" apply their bonus damage after the critical hit damage is calculated. That is: bonus elemental damage is not multiplied on a critical hit.
| Bonus Source | Critical multiplier | Base bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus From Weapon Type | ||
| Shotguns | ×2 | +0% |
| Shotguns (Jakobs) | ×2.3 | +0% |
| Assault rifles | ×1.6 | +0% |
| Assault rifles (Jakobs) | ×2.3 | +0% |
| Sub-machine guns | ×2 | +0% |
| Pistols | ×2 | +0% |
| Pistols (Jakobs) | ×2.5 | +0% |
| Sniper rifles | ×2 | +100% |
| Sniper rifles (Jakobs) | ×2 | +160% |
| Bonus From Weapon Barrel | ||
| Hyperion Pistol barrel | +0.15 | N/A |
| Bonus From Weapon Prefix | ||
| "Critikal Hit" Shotgun | N/A | +50% |
| "Critical" Shotgun | N/A | +50% |
| "Doc's" Shotgun | N/A | +50% |
| "Royal" Shotgun | N/A | +50% |
| "Juicy" Shotgun | N/A | +50% |
| "Night" Sniper Rifle | N/A | +20% |
| "Venture" Sniper Rifle | N/A | +20% |
| "Tumtum" Sniper Rifle | N/A | +20% |
| "Gentleman's" Sniper Rifle | N/A | +20% |
| "Razrez" Sniper Rifle | N/A | +20% |
Example: If Zer0 has five ranks in Headsh0t (+20% Critical Hit Damage) and is using a Jakobs sniper rifle (+160% Critical Hit Damage) that is listed as dealing 150 damage, then a critical hit will deal 150 × 2 × (100% + 160% + 20%) = 150 x 2 x 2.8 = 840 damage before being modified by elemental effects.
Weapon Description
When a weapon card says "+X% Critical Hit Damage," that value indicates the effective increase.
For example, a Jakobs sniper rifle that says "+180% Critical Hit Damage," means the total increase is +180%, not 180% on top of the base 160% that all Jakobs sniper rifles have.
A non-Jakobs pistol that says "+8% Critical Hit Damage" is reflecting the increase from a Hyperion barrel. The total multiplier of 2.15 corresponds to an effective increase of 7.5% (rounded to 8%.) The weapon doesn't have a Base critical hit damage bonus, like sniper rifles do.
Melee Damage Calculation
Critical hits in melee inflict ×2 damage. Weapon or skill critical hit bonuses do not increase this any further.