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What to multiply in crits?

Discussion in 'Dungeons & Dragons + Other RPGs' started by Master of Nuhn, Mar 17, 2005.

  1. Master of Nuhn

    Master of Nuhn Wear it like a crown Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    [​IMG] So this is confusing me. Okay, I should read more carefully, but I'm not sure if 3.5 is different in dealing with critical hits and the internet isn't quite clear about it either.

    Some questions here about multiplying damage:
    I know I can't multiply extra dice like the +2d6 from holy weapons or the 1d4 extra fire damage etc. But can I multiply the extra damage from Weapon enhancement, weapon specialization, Power Attack and the likes?

    Here is an example:
    Char: Brb1/Ftr6
    Ability: Str 18 (+4 Mod), Raging 22 (+6 mod)
    Feats: Power Attack, Headlong Rush
    +1 Greatsword

    First this:
    On a normal hit, I deal 2d6+7 damage
    On a crit, would I deal 4d6+14 or 4d6+13 damage. Is the +1 enhancement from a magical greatsword multiplied as well?

    Then Power Attack:
    Is Power Attack also multiplied?
    That would mean a +20 on damage: PA +5 with a 2-hander is +10, multiplied by 2 is 20.

    Headlong Rush is most devastating here.
    Headlong Rush: Succesful charge deals double damage.
    I should double it without the crit modifier, right?
    Let's say I charge, score a crit and deal double damage with Headlong Rush.
    Then I first roll normal damage (2d6+7=13), then double it (to 26) and then roll 2d6+7 damage again for the crit. Is that correct or could I as well double the crit (4d6+14, double the result)?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Mesmero

    Mesmero How'd an old elf get the blues?

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    You basically roll damage twice (in case of a x2 mulitplier) with all the bonusses you have on a normal attack. This means that you can multiply the damage from a weapon enhancement or weapon specialisation. In your first example, you would need to roll 4d6+14.

    Extra damage, which is not dealt on a normal attack (such as sneak attack or power attack), should only be applied once. So, with the PA +5 (which becomes +10 from using a two handed weapon) from your example, your crit would be basically be (2d6+7+10)+(2d6+7).

    I'm not familiar with the Headlong Rush (it isn't in the core books, right?), but judging by your description, I would say that this falls into the extra damage category and it should only be applied once.
     
  3. Master of Nuhn

    Master of Nuhn Wear it like a crown Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Thanks!

    Headlong Rush is in Races of Faerun. About the damage it says only that you can 'deal double damage on a succesful hit'. It is just like a charge (+2 Attack, double speed, -2 AC), but you provoke AoO's from anyone who can reach you in your path.
    I guess the double damage should be applied to the initial damage: (2d6+7)x2.
    On a crit it would be:
    (2d6+7)+10+([2d6+7]x2) = crit + PA5 + (norm damage x2)
    correct?
     
  4. chevalier

    chevalier Knight of Everfull Chalice ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Shouldn't Power Attack be applied twice?
     
  5. Master of Nuhn

    Master of Nuhn Wear it like a crown Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    You mean for the Headlong Rush?
    Is possible, the books don't say anything about it. Just 'double damage'.

    I, being the one dealing the damage, would say: "Yeah! Sure!" :D
     
  6. Oaz Gems: 29/31
    Latest gem: Glittering Beljuril


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    A doubled double is a triple, when it comes to multplying damage (and other abstract multiplications).

    If I were your DM, I would rule that you would score triple damage when scoring a critical hit with a charge. My interpretation is something like this:

    Let X = total bonus from Power Attack

    Normal damage: 2d6+10+X [(+6 * 1.5) + 1 + x]

    Double/Triple: Roll as above, then multiply by 2 or 3.

    I am sure that static bonus to damage (enhancement, etc.) are multipled. The rule of thumb seems to be that if you have to roll extra dice to get the damage, don't multiply it.

    (You also have miscalculated initial damage rolls; wielding a greatsword, your strength bonus is multiplied by 1.5.)
     
  7. Master of Nuhn

    Master of Nuhn Wear it like a crown Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Sorry about that mistake, Oaz:
    With "2d6+7" I ment the damage I do when not raging. When raging it is 2d6+10. Got that all.

    This is what my DM says:
    "My personal ruling is this.
    I've always allowed PA damage multiplication with crits. It makes sense that if you swing really really hard, you'll do more damage, and if that swing hits a head or other vital spot, it'll do proportionately more damage that way, too."

    I don't mind that, but his monsters will. :D
    So when Raging, I deal 2d6+10 damage.
    Rage and PA5, I deal 2d6+20 damage (2 times the +5 from PA, plus the usual damage)
    Rage, PA5 and crit or charge: 4d6+40
    Rage, PA5, charge and crit: 6d6+60

    Wow... that's some damage.
    Let these monsters start roll their Fortitude Saves already.

    When raging, PA5 and charging, I have a +11 on attacks and an AC of 21 (including the -4 penalty from both Rage and Charge) against the person I charge, plus a +4 from Mobility.

    I'm a meatshield, a tank, a powerhouse.
    Please dont ask for my Will Save or my Social Skills. :p :D
     
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