Diablo – How should one weigh Critical Hit Damage when selecting equipment

diablo-3

What this question basically comes down to is how should I weigh importance of critical hit damage over other types of damage? For instance I found a new ring which gives my wizard more intelligence and thus the item display says roughly +1000 damage, however this ring does not have a bonus to critical hit damage, which my current ring (which I am considering replacing) does have.

If I want more damage what should I go with? Is the damage difference calculation portrayed accurate (i.e. does it factor in critical hit change and critical hit damage)?

Here's a screen shot of the two rings side-by-side.

Screenshot comparing rings

Best Answer

After seeing the 2 rings I would go for the Int one. 24% CHD is great but you cant get it on an other piece of equipement (e.g. the Amulet where you can easily get 80/90%+)

If your are playing casually and do not aim for perfect build, I advice you always go for the items that increase your DPS on your Character's sheet. If not it depends on several factors (for the Critical Hit Damage stat) :

  • A good endgame gear brings at least +50% to crit chance (CC) and at least +350% Crit Hit Damage (CHD). When you reach those stats you have to add more intelligence for it to be more and more effective. The more int > the more damage and so the more your crit will hurt
  • Obviously the CHD stat is the most beneficial when you have high chance of criting. If you have less than 35% CC I would recommand against using the CHD one and put the int one. On the contrary if you have High crit chance you might want to use it.
  • Remember that to have more DPS you have to gear up with high CHD and high CC but also a good Attack Speed. If you don't attack fast enought, dure you'll get some crit but not enought to justify your High CHD and high CC. So for a good lategame gear you have to balance between AS, CHD and CC

To finish and complete my last point, in general CHD stat is really important in Diablo 3. It's part of the 4 factors that brings dps (CHD, CC, AS and +Damage). However gears that bring at least 3 of those stats + int/strength/dext/vit cost an arm and a leg. Hopefully with the next patch you'll be able to find those more easily.

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