I need some clarification on what is multiplied on a critical hit, specifically 'do you multiply the strength bonus'.
One of my current DM's does not multiply strength on a crit strike.
however my other DM says they do.
The book states: A critical hit means that you roll your damage more than once, with all your usual bonuses, and add the rolls together.
My interpretation is that strength is a usual bonus.
Does anyone have a definitive answer, or is it a case of DM discretion? (and if so, where I can find the information to show to my DM.)
Thank you in advance.
Well, he's more of the "hardcore storyteller gaming is serious business GM"
However he does get a lot of the rules wrong and when I bring them up he calls me a rules lawyer, fair call but if I make a character I expect him to play as the book says.
I believe his confusion comes when the book states to Rilke damage again with all the usual modifiers. He just counts that as weapon damage and nothing more.
He also allows spell craft checks in place of concentration, I can't find anything anywhere about that. But yeah. I might just be being a b&&@& about it, but it irks me.
Rike = roll. Stupid phone
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With critical hits, the general rule is that the weapon's damage dice and any flat modifiers multiply, but any modifiers that have to be rolled do not. (Precision damage is not multiplied either way, but I don't think there is any example of precision damage that is not in dice form anyway.)
This means that if you use a greatsword and deal 2d6 + 13 + 1d6 (Fire) + 3d6 (Sneak Attack), your critical would deal 4d6 + 26 + 1d6 (fire) + 3d6 (Sneak Attack). The weapon's damage (2d6) doubles, the modifier doubles, but the dice added to your roll do not. That modifier includes any strength mod, plus possibly power attack and/or weapon enhancement bonus (since they're all flat additions, they all multiply).
Some DMs are fairly stuck on their house rules, though. Just make sure you can get them to admit it is a house rule and you're probably okay as long as you keep it in mind. Some house rules are really crazy, though, so if they're not for you just play under a different DM. Ask that your DM clarify any other house rules so that you can avoid taking feats that do not work as expected.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Also, there is nothing about making spellcraft rolls in place of concentration. Total houserule there. Concentration is not a skill like it was in 3.5, it is now d20 + caster level + caster mod (INT for wizard, CHA for sorcerer, etc): http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic#TOC-Concentration
It also might be that he doesn't like being interrupted while trying to GM. Try talking to him about this stuff out of session. Lots of GMs get frustrated if players interrupt them in the middle of a game because they have to put a lot of work into it.
Here's how I help new players remember how to do critical hits:
1) Roll your damage like you normally would, including precision damage.
2) Do you do x2 damage? Great, then roll your damage again like you normally would, without the precision damage. Add it all together.
3) What? You do x3 damage? By the gods! Ok, then you can roll your damage again like you normally would, not counting precision damage and add it all together.
4) Did I hear you right? You've got one of those x4 weapons? Fine, then roll your damage one more time like you normally would, without the precision damage. Now add it all up and tell me your total.
Stabbitydoom is right on how it all works. Sometimes I find it easier to break it all down for new players until they understand what's happening. As they improve in their gaming skills, I tell them they can just roll and add it all up at once.
As for Concentration, the checks are much better to just use the rules that are already in place. Roll a d20. Add your Caster Level. Add your Spellcasting Stat Modifier. Add any other miscellaneous bonuses (Combat Casting, etc). Spellcraft has nothing to do with being able to cast a spell. It has to do with understanding magic.
Also, there is nothing about making spellcraft rolls in place of concentration. Total houserule there. Concentration is not a skill like it was in 3.5, it is now d20 + caster level + caster mod (INT for wizard, CHA for sorcerer, etc): http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic#TOC-Concentration
It also might be that he doesn't like being interrupted while trying to GM. Try talking to him about this stuff out of session. Lots of GMs get frustrated if players interrupt them in the middle of a game because they have to put a lot of work into it.
Yeah I understand that he doesn't like to be interrupted, I never bring up anything rules related during roleplaying, sometimes during combat if the rules don't sound right.
so concentration was a seperate skill in 3.5? that makes allot of sense cause he used to play 3.5 allot.
thanks for the info.
thanks for the advice everyone, I'll talk to him about it before the next session, and see how it goes from there.