Critical Hit, or Crit for short, is a term that refers to an attack hitting "a weak spot". Such a hit causes twice the normal amount of damage and is unaffected by stat modifiers. This is generally a random process. The games announce that a critical hit has landed by using the phrase, "A Critical Hit!"
Some moves, like Slash, have a higher chance of scoring a critical hit than others. Focus Energy can increase the chances of a critical hit, while Laser Focus guarantees the next hit to be a critical strike. Meowscarada's signature move, Flower Trick, is always guaranteed as a critical hit.
The chance of causing a critical hit can be modified by using items that increase the critical hit level. Although, some Pokémon have abilities that prevent the opponent from landing a critical hit. In Generation I, critical hits were based on speed.
| Level | Percentage | Moves |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4.17% | Regular moves |
| 2 | 12.5% | Moves with an increased critical hit rate: Slash, Stone Edge etc. or regular moves in combination with a Super Luck or with the Razor Claw or Scope Lens held. |
| 3 | 50% | Regular moves used by Farfetch'd and Chansey with the Leek and Lucky Punch held, respectively, or in combination with Super Luck and with the Razor Claw or Scope Lens held. |
| 4+ | 100% | Moves with an increased critical hit rate used by Farfetch'd and Chansey with the Leek and Lucky Punch held |
Scope Lens and Razor Claw both add 1 level. Super Luck also adds 1 level. The Leek adds 2 levels for Farfetch'd, the Lucky Punch adds 2 levels for Chansey, and Focus Energy and Dire Hit add 2 levels to any Pokémon.
