Minecraft wiki entry for Damage, associated text: A critical hit is an attack that deals extra damage compared to a regular attack. Critical melee strikes, regardless of the weapon used, cause small star particles to fly out of the target who was critically hit. Arrows shot from fully charged bows have a 25% chance of becoming "critical arrows" and dealing extra damage, but all arrows from fully charged bows leave a trail of the same small star particles as they fly through the air. Critical hits affect all damageable entities including players, mobs, paintings, boats, minecarts, and armor stands.