There is no official fumble rule. However a natural one is a miss in combat. Skills and saves do not have the one fails rule.
Automatic Misses and Hits: A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on an attack roll is always a miss. A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a hit. A natural 20 is also a threat—a possible critical hit (see the attack action).
There is no official fumble rule. However a natural one is a miss in combat. Skills and saves do not have the one fails rule.
Automatic Misses and Hits: A natural 1 (the d20 comes up 1) on an attack roll is always a miss. A natural 20 (the d20 comes up 20) is always a hit. A natural 20 is also a threat—a possible critical hit (see the attack action).
Almost there: Saves do auto fail on a 1 (they also auto succeed on a 20).
Almost there: Saves do auto fail on a 1 (they also auto succeed on a 20).
Doh! So close. :)
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As mentioned above, the only official rule is that a natural "1" on an attack roll is an automatic miss/
The critical fumble deck does in fact have additional rules for "confirming" a fumble, before applying the effects of the deck.
Additionally, many DMs, myself included, have various house rules on how to handle a fumble. My rule is that you choose between immediately ending your turn (sacrificing any remaining attacks or movement yet unmade), or draw from the critical fumble deck, players choice (they have to choose between seeing the card).
That said, any rule that provides penalties for a fumble is statistically weighted against the players. This is mainly because they are rolling so many more attack rolls compared to any single opponent. Sure there are likely more baddies on the board throughout the course of the night then there are players. But a single attack missing, or any other penalty for fumbling is likely far less severe for an enemy, both because in most cases any individual enemy is sacrificial, but also because each individual enemy is on the board for such a short time.
As mentioned above, the only official rule is that a natural "1" on an attack roll is an automatic miss/
The critical fumble deck does in fact have additional rules for "confirming" a fumble, before applying the effects of the deck.
Additionally, many DMs, myself included, have various house rules on how to handle a fumble. My rule is that you choose between immediately ending your turn (sacrificing any remaining attacks or movement yet unmade), or draw from the critical fumble deck, players choice (they have to choose between seeing the card).
That said, any rule that provides penalties for a fumble is statistically weighted against the players. This is mainly because they are rolling so many more attack rolls compared to any single opponent. Sure there are likely more baddies on the board throughout the course of the night then there are players. But a single attack missing, or any other penalty for fumbling is likely far less severe for an enemy, both because in most cases any individual enemy is sacrificial, but also because each individual enemy is on the board for such a short time.
I make my player confirm fumbles. If the 2nd roll misses the target AC its a fumble.
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Really? I've heard old-timers talking about how 'back in the day' fumbles were part of the core rules.
Then again, maybe it was just such a common houserule everybody thought it was core. (It probably also helps these guys were REALLY OLD, like in their 50's ;] )
Yeah, it's an odd thing since it's so common a house rule. But AD&D, D&D and AD&D 2nd edition never had fumble rules in the Players Handbook or DMG, or Rules Cyclopedia. They were in like Dragon Magazine, and probably other source books, and I'm sure other RPGs of the day and today include them as well, but it's never been a real rule of the game of D&D.
Some people enjoy them of course, so to each their own. I'm happy when my characters crit just because I get to deal more damage. :)
They were in like Dragon Magazine, and probably other source books, and I'm sure other RPGs of the day and today include them as well, but it's never been a real rule of the game of D&D.
First fumble rules I remember were indeed in Dragon Magazine back in the mid to late 80's I think.
We use fumbles in our games now. If you roll a 1 you must 'confirm' your fumble by rolling a DC 21 BAB (and ONLY BAB) check. If you make it your fumble is a simple miss. Continue with your round.
If you fail, then our ref consults the Ancient Charts of Doom, which are the nasty fumble charts from that old Dragon Magazine.