Helaman |
I lean into the first as well.
I run it SLIGHTLY differently if using the low hit points typically found in OSR games. It doesn’t work in 5e high hit points games.
Don’t declare a manoeuvre? Double damage on a Crit (typically max damage plus roll another damage dice).
Vs.
Declare a manoeuvre? If a Crit? Maximum damage if the target chooses not to accept the manoeuvre.
It’s the difference between brutality and finesse and is an interesting trade off.
In both cases crits beat any homebrew DR I apply for armor imposed DR (note adamant armor negates the Crit if playing 5e). I like DR1 for light, DR 2 for medium, DR 3 for heavy armor. Again in lower HP games it’s a buff for fighters against the benefits of a quadratic wizard.