Critical Hit damage

[Sorrol]

Hello,

So a normal hit is dice roll... then a x2 crit is 2 dice rolls right?

If you have a x4 crit, do you roll 4 times or 2 times and multiple the last roll by 3?

Just making sure cuz my GM doesn't seem to make up his mind about it...

Cheers,
Sorrol

[Arcaian]

Sorrol wrote:

Hello,

So a normal hit is dice roll... then a x2 crit is 2 dice rolls right?

If you have a x4 crit, do you roll 4 times or 2 times and multiple the last roll by 3?

Just making sure cuz my GM doesn't seem to make up his mind about it...

Cheers,
Sorrol

For a 2x crit, you double the amount of dice rolls - typically 2, but for example a 2x crit on a 2d6 base damage weapon is 4d6. A 4x crit causes you to roll 4x the weapon damage - typically 4 dice, but for example the Scythe is 2d4 on a 4x crit, goes to 8d4 - 8 dice.

[Prince Yyrkoon]

There really isn't one right way to do it. You could roll once, and multiply by the crit amount. You could roll the whole thing out. The important thing is consistincy, pick one meathod and stick with it.

[Wheldrake]

There are 2 generally accepted ways to run critical hit damage:

1) Roll damage normally, and multiply by 2 (or 3 or 4 for certain weapons)

2) Roll damage twice (or three times or four times for certain weapons) and add it together.

I suggest not mixing the two methods, as you seem to suggest.

Don't forget that most sources of static damage are also multiplied, whereas energy damage, sneak attack and most other sources of variable damage are not.

[Nefreet]

In Pathfinder, you actually roll the extra dice, but plenty of homegames simply multiply the results of a regular damage roll instead.

[Cavall]

A good rule of thumb for knowing what to multiply is if it's extra dice added on to your weapon dice don't multiply, but static straight numbers like +1 you do.

Some exceptions apply, like swashbuckler adding level to damage. However it is clear when it states it's precision so it won't.

So a d8 plus 4 flaming sword with a 4 bonus in strength would do 1d8 + 1d6 +8 and on a x3 would do 3d8 +1d6 + 24. Or (1d8 + 8) x3 +1d6 for some tables.

While the rules of the book say roll them all, for some tables (like mine) it's ok to just multiply. But I agree with the sentiment that being consistent is the goal. Pick one.