diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
index f81c37c10..67f955d1b 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwclass/npc.cpp
@@ -600,8 +600,8 @@ namespace MWClass
             damage  = stats.getSkill(weapskill).getModified();
             damage *= minstrike + ((maxstrike-minstrike)*stats.getAttackStrength());
 
-            healthdmg = (otherstats.getFatigue().getCurrent() < 1.0f)
-                    || (otherstats.getMagicEffects().get(ESM::MagicEffect::Paralyze).mMagnitude > 0);
+            healthdmg = (otherstats.getMagicEffects().get(ESM::MagicEffect::Paralyze).mMagnitude > 0)
+                    || otherstats.getKnockedDown();
             if(stats.isWerewolf())
             {
                 healthdmg = true;
@@ -623,15 +623,21 @@ namespace MWClass
                 sndMgr->playSound3D(victim, "Hand To Hand Hit", 1.0f, 1.0f);
         }
         if(ptr.getRefData().getHandle() == "player")
+        {
             skillUsageSucceeded(ptr, weapskill, 0);
 
-        bool detected = MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->awarenessCheck(ptr, victim);
-        if(!detected)
-        {
-            damage *= store.find("fCombatCriticalStrikeMult")->getFloat();
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox("#{sTargetCriticalStrike}");
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playSound3D(victim, "critical damage", 1.0f, 1.0f);
+            const MWMechanics::AiSequence& seq = victim.getClass().getCreatureStats(victim).getAiSequence();
+
+            bool unaware = !seq.isInCombat()
+                    && !MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->awarenessCheck(ptr, victim);
+            if(unaware)
+            {
+                damage *= store.find("fCombatCriticalStrikeMult")->getFloat();
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox("#{sTargetCriticalStrike}");
+                MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playSound3D(victim, "critical damage", 1.0f, 1.0f);
+            }
         }
+
         if (othercls.getCreatureStats(victim).getKnockedDown())
             damage *= store.find("fCombatKODamageMult")->getFloat();
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
index 1f26e8f7d..c13eac98c 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/combat.cpp
@@ -147,11 +147,7 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         float resistance = std::min(100.f, stats.getMagicEffects().get(ESM::MagicEffect::ResistNormalWeapons).mMagnitude
                 - stats.getMagicEffects().get(ESM::MagicEffect::WeaknessToNormalWeapons).mMagnitude);
 
-        float multiplier = 0;
-        if (resistance >= 0)
-            multiplier = 1 - resistance / 100.f;
-        else
-            multiplier = -(resistance-100) / 100.f;
+        float multiplier = 1.f - resistance / 100.f;
 
         if (!(weapon.get<ESM::Weapon>()->mBase->mData.mFlags & ESM::Weapon::Silver
               || weapon.get<ESM::Weapon>()->mBase->mData.mFlags & ESM::Weapon::Magical))
@@ -213,16 +209,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         damage *= fDamageStrengthBase +
                 (attackerStats.getAttribute(ESM::Attribute::Strength).getModified() * fDamageStrengthMult * 0.1);
 
+
         if(attacker.getRefData().getHandle() == "player")
             attacker.getClass().skillUsageSucceeded(attacker, weapskill, 0);
 
-        bool detected = MWBase::Environment::get().getMechanicsManager()->awarenessCheck(attacker, victim);
-        if(!detected)
-        {
-            damage *= gmst.find("fCombatCriticalStrikeMult")->getFloat();
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getWindowManager()->messageBox("#{sTargetCriticalStrike}");
-            MWBase::Environment::get().getSoundManager()->playSound3D(victim, "critical damage", 1.0f, 1.0f);
-        }
         if (victim.getClass().getCreatureStats(victim).getKnockedDown())
             damage *= gmst.find("fCombatKODamageMult")->getFloat();
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/creaturestats.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/creaturestats.hpp
index b365a0b89..a83da4249 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/creaturestats.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/creaturestats.hpp
@@ -208,7 +208,8 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         float getEvasion() const;
 
         void setKnockedDown(bool value);
-        ///Returns true for the entire duration of the actor being knocked down
+        /// Returns true for the entire duration of the actor being knocked down or knocked out,
+        /// including transition animations (falling down & standing up)
         bool getKnockedDown() const;
         void setKnockedDownOneFrame(bool value);
         ///Returns true only for the first frame of the actor being knocked out; used for "onKnockedOut" command