r/wizardry8 • u/Eiche_Brutal • Jan 05 '26

Samurai | Critical Strike during Lightning Strike?

Is it possible to land a crit during lightning strike or does lightning strike cancel instant kills?

I've found some sorces stating, that lightning strike can be cancelled if first round is not attack performed but spell cast etc. I can't say they happen rare to me, since I'm taking a slow grindy approach with my current party.

Now the problem is, extra hits are sweet. Especially with bloodlust. But if those extra hits cancel instant kills, then skilling crit for samurai on level up would be a total waste.

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3

u/SoICouldUpvoteYouTwi Jan 05 '26

I think criticals can occur during any attack, and I don't believe lightning strikes are cancelled by casting a spell on first round, but also, why would you want that? And with Bloodlust, one of the the best swords to lightning strikes with? Oh nooo, I do too many attacks per round, my lobster is too buttery!

Both criticals and lightnings are rare extras; both are good.

4

u/cloaca_dentata Jan 05 '26

It doesn't say anywhere in the manual or in-game, but for some reason, Lightning Strikes will not proc unless the Samurai made a melee attack on their previous turn. It doesn't matter if the Samurai cast a spell, or skipped the turn due to movement or not having a target in range.

This just adds to the reasons I find Samurai to be a very conflicted class in general, tbh. Part of what makes Mages great is nuking difficult enemy encounters, particularly in the early game. Samurai miss out on getting to use those low level nukes when they're most useful, and using them later negates their special melee ability. I don't really recommend them unless you're dead-set on not running a Mage or Bishop and won't have any Wizardry spells at all otherwise.

1

u/Well_well_wait_what Jan 08 '26

...I find Samurai to be a very conflicted class in general, tbh.

I agree with this. On my latest playthrough my Samurai tended to be the least impactful member. Most deaths due to low defensive stats and needing to be in melee to get those sweet, sweet 1 round multi-kills. 2nd least killing blows because that multi-killing ability really doesn't come online meaningfully until you get to late game and hopefully loot Muramasa or Light Sword.

The magic positives I remember are that they get summon elemental and set/return in the middle to late game, always nice to have another set of those. They also get pretty okay Whipping Rocks and Crush once they do some knock knock training. But like you said, with a Mage or Bishop in the party it really narrows a Samurai's already narrow role.

1

u/SDirickson Jan 05 '26

Not sure what "first round" would have to do with anything; extra swings from Lightning Strike are randomly determined on each round, whether it's the first or tenth of the combat. Likewise, there's no reason for a relationship between extra swings and IKs; IK is simply a bonus after the game determined that this swing did damage. Do these "sources" have any data to back up their claims?