Who do you use the critical charts on? If you use them on enemies it is the equivalent of giving them more Hit points.

Just wondering do you always use them or only for characters and those touched by the fates?

I use them for the player characters, important NPCs (Master level) and sometimes Elite level NPCs. In case of Troops I only reference them if a player does such an insane amount of damage that it is obviously overkill. In that case I do it just for fun to see what happens to the poor bastard.

official recommendation is you use it for Elite and Master NPCs. I use it for everyone because I don't like to label NPCs as "canon-fodder"

official recommendation is you use it for Elite and Master NPCs. I use it for everyone because I don't like to label NPCs as "canon-fodder"

Likewise and my players absolutely loves it when they hack off limbs or burn people.

I'd use it for all enemies, but play them as normal death-fearing non-psychos. Once a character has taken critical damage (or even significant Wounds damage) their main focus is healing themselves (even if this isn't necessary mechanically) and get out of danger.

The occasional fight-to-the-death enemy should then be something special, as they try to fight through broken limbs, missing eyes, and a lack of non-charred skin.