What's the official formula for ravens' CtC "blind"?

[Phesto]

I've read that ravens have (blockable) auto-hit (I've used them a lot lately and it would seem so), but that their CtC "blind" is affected by monster levels, their own level, the levels of the 3 main summons, etc.

I'm also wondering if ravens have Critical Strike because you'll often see that animation when they hit a monster.

If you haven't "read the code" or seen this confirmed (in number form) elsewhere, please don't reply as if you actually know the answer.

Edit: I just realized that I should've posted this in the statistics forum, but instead of posting it twice or making this thread about nothing, I'll just leave it here and a mod can move it if they'd like.

[WrathTalon]

I've read that ravens have (blockable) auto-hit (I've used them a lot lately and it would seem so), but that their CtC "blind" is affected by monster levels, their own level, the levels of the 3 main summons, etc.

I'm also wondering if ravens have Critical Strike because you'll often see that animation when they hit a monster.

Hm. Well, Lothric's outstanding guide to the Druid Summoner, posted in the Strategy Compendium (http://strategy.diabloii.net/news.php?id=575), gives full details. Even includes the actual formula for calculating a raven's CtC "blind". Seems that it depends only on your own level, the level of the monster, and the number of points you have in Raven; the level of your other three main (i.e., furry) summons does NOT matter.

To quote from his guide:

A raven’s level is determined as follow:

Mlvl = Caster Level + Skill Level – 2

The Chance to Blind is determined by:

CTB = 50 + (Mlvl – 4 – Target Level) * 5

For example: You are a level 42 druid with 10 points in Raven. If your ravens were to engage a monster in an area with a level of 41, the chance to blind would be:

Rlvl = 42 + 10 -2 = 50
CTB = 50 + (50 – 4 – 41) * 5
= 75%

It is important to note from the above that at a skill level of 16, ravens have a 100% chance to blind targets of equal or lower level to you.

So far, my summoners have usually only put 5 points into Raven. Checking the math, I see that this only gives them a 45% CtC Blind when attacking a monster of equal level to me. Every additional point in Raven will raise that by 5%. And it will go up or down by 5% for every single level difference between me and the monsters... So if I can stay well ahead of the monster level curve, 5 points in Raven should be enough. But if I ever start falling behind, I can see that additional points in Raven could be pretty useful for keeping their blinding up. Hm.

As to whether Ravens have a chance at Critical Strike... I have no idea. Huh. I'd be really curious to know.

[Phesto]

Awesome, thanks a lot.

About the CS thing: It's possible that they only gave it the animation (sound effect is there, too) and not the doubled damage, but I can't imagine why they'd bother doing that, so it got me wondering.

I was thinking that perhaps it only triggers when "blind" triggers (the animation and sound effect, I mean), but IIRC that's not always the case (I can't check ATM).

[Valvolux]

I'm also wondering if ravens have Critical Strike because you'll often see that animation when they hit a monster.

Critical Strike doesn't trigger some 'special' animation AFAIK, and there is nothing to say Ravens ever had or have any form of Critical Strike.

[Phesto]

Critical Strike (from masteries, the Amazon's CS, etc.) is shown as a "spark" when it's triggered. There's also a slightly different sound effect for it.

If you'd like to check for yourself, simply make an amazon in singleplayer and set the players to 8; pump CS and you'll quickly notice the animation I speak of. On the other hand you can make a barbarian and pump AM to see that it doesn't only occur with the Amazon's CS.

Pretty much everything in the game can trigger a critical strike by default -- I've seen monsters do it to me numerous times (probably helps if you've played a lot of the early-game) -- but there's obviously only a small chance of it happening.

To be honest, and I'm not saying this to be disrespectful, I can't imagine how anyone who's not new to this game hasn't noticed this before.

[RTB]

The druid's minions can all cause Critical Strikes (at 5% chance), except for the spirits and the Poison Creeper.

[Valvolux]

To be honest, and I'm not saying this to be disrespectful, I can't imagine how anyone who's not new to this game hasn't noticed this before.

Call me blind, but I cannot notice any difference or 'spark' with either 0% Critical Strike or 80%+ Critical Strike, but hey if you think its there that’s good enough for me.

Interesting info on the druids pets RTB...gotta lov it when that 5% goes off on a 10k Grizzly swipe. :grin:

[Phesto]

The druid's minions can all cause Critical Strikes (at 5% chance), except for the spirits and the Poison Creeper.

Thought so.

Am I the only person who can see the little flash and hear the sharper-sounding noise that's triggered for CS? I mean, it's obvious: normal hit, normal hit, hit + spark + sound effect.

I just did it again, level 1 CS.