Killing blow
Video game concept
Player can deliver a single strike, shot, or anything else that kills or permanently incapacitates any opponent (with possible exception in bosses).
85
games
19platforms
Alternate names: One hit kill
Name variations: Backstabbing, Critical hit
OCS 1988
DOS 1988
WIN 2009-11-18
X360 2013-10-22
IIE 1987
A800 1993
WIN 2012-10-16
PS3 2011-08-23
WIN 2009-03-31
LIN 2015-03-10
ELEC 1988
SPC 1987
Note that this is not limited to fatalities or similar in fighting games. The killing blow can be the first and only strike delivered. Commonly the NPCs are capable of the same thing. If it requires the opponent to be reduced to 20% health or something before using, then this does not count (this is NOT for impressive final strikes).
If all characters have only 1 hit point to begin with, something else might be more appropriate than this tag.
Commonly boss and elite characters are either immune to this or have extraordinary ability in avoiding it. Other limitations in use may exist, such as not working against vehicles.
If this requires an unique condition to be met to perform which can't be trivially repeated, then you might consider something else (e.g. backstabbing generally requires the target is completely unaware of your existence).
Instances where the ability to do this is limited to a small section of the game, only achieved later on as an ultimate death dealing skill, a small statistical critical hit chance, with a damage/instakill power-up, or such should not count. This effectively negates many RPGs and especially games marked with obsoleted assets.
Common in: tactical shooters, stealth games, ...
Unlikely to ever appear in: RPGs, fighting games, ...
If all characters have only 1 hit point to begin with, something else might be more appropriate than this tag.
Commonly boss and elite characters are either immune to this or have extraordinary ability in avoiding it. Other limitations in use may exist, such as not working against vehicles.
If this requires an unique condition to be met to perform which can't be trivially repeated, then you might consider something else (e.g. backstabbing generally requires the target is completely unaware of your existence).
Instances where the ability to do this is limited to a small section of the game, only achieved later on as an ultimate death dealing skill, a small statistical critical hit chance, with a damage/instakill power-up, or such should not count. This effectively negates many RPGs and especially games marked with obsoleted assets.
Common in: tactical shooters, stealth games, ...
Unlikely to ever appear in: RPGs, fighting games, ...
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Child group
Related groups
Video game
Realistic damage, Locational damage, Interrupting, Finishing moves
Games by year
The first Killing blow video game was released in 1987.
Ubisoft, Devolver Digital and Square Enix published most of these games.