Duskblade Questions

[Hunterofthedusk]

So I was reading through the Duskblade class from the Player's Handbook II, and it looks like a really interesting class that I'd like to play some time. But first, I have a few questions-

Arcane Channeling: Okay, so you channel a spell through your melee weapon- I get that part. But what happens when you score a critical? I know spells that require attack rolls can score crits, but is this treated like extra dice from sneak attack/weapon qualities?

Y'know, I think that's all I can honestly think of right now. I think I had another question... Bah, if I can think of it I'll post it later. This one above is the one that was really bothering me, and I couldn't find a Duskblade FAQ on my own, but if anyone could point me at one of those that would also be appreciated.

[pres man]

Hunterofthedusk wrote:

Arcane Channeling: Okay, so you channel a spell through your melee weapon- I get that part. But what happens when you score a critical? I know spells that require attack rolls can score crits, but is this treated like extra dice from sneak attack/weapon qualities?

Yes, it is like extra dice from sneak attack, it is not doubled, only actual weapon damage is.

[greenlightning]

I was wondering this myself with the ability in general. What do you mean by "it's extra dice from a sneak attack."

Say you channel a shocking grasp and confirm a critical hit. What happens?

[Grey Lensman]

The weapon and any + to damage such as str bonus and the magic + of the weapon get doubled (or tripled if using an axe) but the shocking grasp stays the same as if there was no critical hit. A 5th level duskblade with a 14 str and a +1 longsword normally deals 1d8+3 damage, plus 5d6 for shocking grasp. With a critical hit, that becomes 2d8+6 and 5d6.

[greenlightning]

Red Dragons!!! :)

[Rufus Reeven]

greenlightning wrote:

Red Dragons!!! :)

That's just random...

[pres man]

greenlightning wrote:

I was wondering this myself with the ability in general. What do you mean by "it's [like] extra dice from a sneak attack."

Say you channel a shocking grasp and confirm a critical hit. What happens?

As Jason said, extra dice are not typically doubled, only extra bonus numbers. This is the same way sneak attack works and favored enemey work. Favored enemy bonus which is just a straight number bump is doubled, sneak attack dice which are extra dice are not.

[greenlightning]

so w/ a touch spell or ranged touch spell, you can only get the double damage if you deliver it as a regular touch attack then.

[pres man]

greenlightning wrote:

so w/ a touch spell or ranged touch spell, you can only get the double damage if you deliver it as a regular touch attack then.

Correct. If for example, you cast inflict serious wounds. Waited a round and then punched someone and crited, your punch damage would get doubled, but not the inflict serious wounds damage. On the other hand, if you had actually just made a touch attack with the spell, you could have crited with it. And doubled those dice.

[Grey Lensman]

Of course, if you make a standard touch attack with a spell, you will only deal the spell damage except on a roll of a natural 20. By channeling it through a weapon, you add the weapon's damage even on normal hits, and might have a higher chance at a critical depending on what weapon you use.

A slim chance at 10d6 (probably 5d6) or a certainty of 6d6+3, with a higher chance of doing damage of 7d6+6 is an easy choice to make. And the weapon damage can have yet another 1d6 added if you are using a flaming sword.