# Critical hit

- Term: General term
- Canonical: https://www.lanternhall.org/lexicon/critical-hit/

> An exceptional success, typically a natural 20 on the d20, that deals extra damage or produces a spectacular result; its opposite, the fumble or natural 1, is a comic disaster. Crits are among the most celebrated moments in [Actual Play](https://www.lanternhall.org/atlas/actual-play/) shows.

An exceptional success, typically a natural 20 on the d20, that deals extra damage or produces a spectacular result; its opposite, the fumble or natural 1, is a comic disaster. Crits are among the most celebrated moments in [Actual Play](https://www.lanternhall.org/atlas/actual-play/) shows.

**Origin:** From wargames and early roleplaying; in video games, Dragon Quest (1986) used a fixed critical-hit chance of 1 in 64.

## Quick answers

**What does "Critical hit" mean?**
An exceptional success, typically a natural 20 on the d20, that deals extra damage or produces a spectacular result; its opposite, the fumble or natural 1, is a comic disaster. Crits are among the most celebrated moments in Actual Play shows.

**Where does the term "Critical hit" come from?**
From wargames and early roleplaying; in video games, Dragon Quest (1986) used a fixed critical-hit chance of 1 in 64.

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From The Lantern Hall (https://www.lanternhall.org/), a museum of fantasy literature and roleplaying games.