Critical Strike

Critical Strike is an Amazon Skill in Diablo II. It is one of the first skills an Amazon can learn in the Passive and Magic Skills tab.

Lore
''Among the arsenal of techniques employed by the Amazon warrior is her ability to study opponents carefully and detect any weaknesses. She can then use these deficiencies in her adversary to strike at precisely those areas that will cause the greatest injuries.''

Synergies

 * Gives synergy to :
 * Valkyrie: 100% effect transferred to the Valkyrie
 * Receives synergy from : None

Critical Strike grants the Amazon a chance to deal double the damage her strike would normally have dealt. Other effects, including non-physical damage, still only apply once. Amazons who focus on skills that deal elemental damage (Lightning Fury, Freezing Arrow or such) only gain a doubling of the physical component of their damage.

Investing in this skill suffers heavily from diminishing returns. There is only a 10% better chance to release critical strikes between levels 11 and 20, which averages to about less than 0.5% per point. Most of the time, placing just one point into it is plenty, especially when paired with items that grant bonus skill levels.

Because Critical Strike works with any weapon, it is a very useful Amazon skill regardless of build. Critical Strike is potent because it is a Passive skill, so it is always active and combines with any additional skills such as Multiple Shot, Pierce and so on.

Any points invested into Critical Strike also grants Valkyrie summons the same chance to deal twice the amount of damage.

Combat Masteries give the chosen weapon type a chance to deal Critical Strike, functioning just like this skill.