[edit by the dev team] This is wrong, sorry for better info, check http://fodev.net/forum/index.php?topic=1188.msg10637#msg10637First you need to make difference between CRITICAL CHANCE and CRITICAL HIT.
Critical chance is a chance to score a critical hit, based on % of your chance and on a dice roll.
So for example, if you have 6% chance for critical hit, its: 6+ random number(dice roll 1-100)
If dice rolled 97 then its 6+97 = 103 Critical hit.
If dice is 93 > 93+6 = 99 Failed to critical hit, and normal hit applies.
You can increase this chance by 10 with finesse and +5 for each more critical perk (max 3)
So a dude with 10 luck finesse and 3x more critical will have: 10+10+15 = 35% 35+65 = 100 critical hit. So needs only 65+ on roll to score critical. Roll is computer based random number.
When you score a critical, there is another roll for
critical damage that adds to base weapon damage.
Base weapon damage is the damage given on inv. screen when you equip a weapon.
Living anatomy gives +5 dmg, bonus ranged damage gives +2 dmg. (x2) so from 3 perks you can have 2+2+5 = +9 to base dmg of weapon.
Critical damage works with another dice roll. The dice roll is divided on this values:
0-20
21-45
46-70
71-90
91-100
101+
You can find their effects and damage modifier here:
http://falloutmods.wikia.com/wiki/Critical_hit_tablesHow this works. A random dice roll is rolled from 1 to 100, depending on the number it scores, the following critical applies.
For example you get 75 (71-90) on roll, you aimed in left arm:
left arm crippled, armor ignored, double damage
to get 101+ you need
Better Critical perk which increases roll by 20%
so you aim in torso, you pass the check for critical hit, you get 90 on roll for critical damage and you have better critical:
20% of 90 is 18 ; 90+18 = 108 >>> super critical >>> damage x3 , instant death.
Torso and eyes give instant death:
If you shot with bb-gun and character has 250hp, he is hit for 250hp.
If he had 1hp he is hit for 1hp.
If you shot with Plasma rifle and he has 1hp, damage will be only the base damage of plasma rifle, so he will then have -29 hp.
Combat armor has helmet so it prevents eye damage. Best aimed shot is in groin against combat armors. But I've been giving good damage in eyes to combat armored players so do as you like.
You can cause instant kill with any weapon, even punching in eyes or torso, that's why I've given bb-gun as example.
PvP with criticals and better critical is like gambling. I suggest to go out with certain damage weapon, and high agility, and leave the critical hits to the game engine.