This is probably a stupid question, but I need clarification on what precisely this does in a particular instance.
Source: Pathfinder Core Rulebook Page 127
"Improved Critical (Combat)
Attacks made with your chosen weapon are quite deadly.
Prerequisite: Proficient with weapon, base attack bonus +8.
Benefit: When using the weapon you selected, your
threat range is doubled.
Special: You can gain Improved Critical multiple times.
The effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it
applies to a new type of weapon.
This effect doesn’t stack with any other effect that
expands the threat range of a weapon."
I understand the implications of what it does, but I have a bothersome question that I've searched and searched around for but it either has never been directly asked or perhaps it's really as simple as it seems and I'm dumb.
Nevertheless! I have a Drow Monk. As a typical, Medium size category monk, his Unarmed Strikes have forever been locked at merely x2 on 20 with not a lot of ways of advancing it. When I get to it, I've been thinking about taking this feat since his fists do ridiculous damage with Monk's Robe at 2d6 and +5 permanent enchantment from Greater Magic Fang, but here's my question; it doubles the range, but if the range is 20, does that mean it's an inert feat? Does it become 19-20 or 18-20? For the life of me I can't figure out what it means, so I turn to the community for an answer.
Please and thank you.
Contributor
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In every source I've ever seen, all the way back to 3.0, a 20-only weapon becomes 19-20 when Improved Critical or the keen weapon ability are applied.
Go here and scroll down to the Poisonous Performer. She has Improved Critical (unarmed strike), with a 19-20 critical range.
Kalindlara has it spot on.
The threat range of a critical which is 20 is 1 result (20 only), which is doubled to 2 results (19-20).
This exactly the same maths as is used with other threat ranges:
19-20 is 2 results, doubled to 4 results (17-20)
18-20 is 3 results, doubled to 6 results (15-20)
So, the only time improved critical "does nothing" is if there's already a critical threat range enhancing effect in place which it won't stack with.
Thank you both kindly for the information.
I haven't had the chance before to really delve my characters into upgrading their critical stats, so the numbers somewhat confused me at first. I was pretty sure that this is what it meant, but I figured I'd be better safe than sorry and incur my DM's wrath the next time I saw him xD
I appreciate the timely responses :)