Unleashing the Fury: Understanding Critical Hits in D&D 5e (2014)
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, as introduced in the 2014 Player’s Handbook, a critical hit occurs when you roll a natural 20 on your attack roll. When this happens, you get to double the number of damage dice you roll for the attack. This includes all damage dice associated with the attack, including extra damage dice from sources like a Rogue’s Sneak Attack or a Paladin’s Divine Smite. Modifiers, such as your Strength modifier or magical weapon bonuses, are added only once after the dice are rolled. Let’s dive deeper into this exciting mechanic!
Delving Deeper into Critical Hits
Critical hits are a thrilling part of combat in D&D 5e. They represent a particularly effective or lucky strike that deals significantly more damage than a normal hit. Understanding the rules surrounding critical hits can help you optimize your character’s build and playstyle.
The Core Mechanic
The fundamental rule is straightforward: roll a 20 on your attack roll, and you’ve scored a critical hit. Instead of rolling your damage dice once, you roll them twice, adding the results together. Then, you apply any relevant modifiers only once. This simple rule can dramatically alter the course of a battle, especially for classes that deal a lot of damage dice, like Rogues or Paladins.
For example, imagine a Rogue wielding a shortsword attacks an enemy. Normally, they would roll 1d6 (shortsword damage) + sneak attack dice (let’s say 4d6) + Dexterity modifier (let’s say +3). If they score a critical hit, they would roll 2d6 (shortsword damage) + 8d6 (sneak attack) + 3 (Dexterity modifier). That’s a significant increase in potential damage!
Beyond the Natural 20: Expanding Your Critical Potential
While the natural 20 is the most common way to score a critical hit, certain conditions can also guarantee them. The most notable of these are the Paralyzed and Unconscious conditions. Attacks that hit a creature that is Paralyzed or Unconscious are automatically critical hits provided the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature. This opens up tactical opportunities for players to coordinate their attacks and exploit these vulnerabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Critical Hits in D&D 5e
Here are some frequently asked questions about critical hits, designed to clarify any lingering confusion and provide deeper insights:
1. Do critical hits affect saving throws?
No, critical hits only apply to attack rolls. Saving throws are unaffected by rolling a natural 20 or a natural 1. There is no such thing as critical success or failure on saving throws.
2. Does a natural 1 always mean a critical failure?
A natural 1 on an attack roll is an automatic miss, regardless of modifiers. However, a natural 1 on a saving throw or ability check is not necessarily an automatic failure. The result is determined by the total after modifiers are applied.
3. Do I double my ability modifier on a critical hit?
No, ability modifiers are only added once after you roll all the damage dice (doubled for the crit).
4. Can spells crit in D&D 5e?
Yes, spells that require an attack roll can score critical hits. Spells that require the target to make a saving throw cannot crit. Fire Bolt can crit, but Sacred Flame cannot.
5. If I have advantage, do I get more chances to crit?
Yes, having advantage on your attack roll increases your chances of rolling a natural 20. You roll two dice and take the higher result, effectively doubling your odds of landing that crucial crit.
6. Do critical hits affect healing spells?
No, critical hits only apply to damage-dealing attack rolls. Healing spells are not affected.
7. Can monsters score critical hits in D&D 5e?
Yes, monsters can score critical hits, following the same rules as player characters. However, there are some variations in the One D&D playtest materials where they cannot.
8. What happens if a creature is resistant to the damage type of my critical hit?
Resistance applies after you calculate the total damage from the critical hit. The total damage is then halved.
9. What happens if a creature is vulnerable to the damage type of my critical hit?
Vulnerability applies after you calculate the total damage from the critical hit. The total damage is then doubled.
10. Does the Great Weapon Master feat affect critical hits?
The Great Weapon Master feat’s -5 to hit/+10 to damage applies normally to critical hits. The +10 damage is added after you roll all the damage dice (doubled).
11. How does the Savage Attacker feat interact with critical hits?
The Savage Attacker feat lets you reroll one damage die of the attack. On a critical hit, this still only applies to one die, not one set of dice.
12. If I have a weapon that deals extra dice on a hit, do I double those dice on a crit?
Yes, any extra damage dice from weapon abilities or spells are doubled on a critical hit.
13. What is the “Perkins Rule” regarding critical hits?
The Perkins Rule, created by Chris Perkins, is a house rule that suggests dealing maximum damage on the normal dice roll and then adding your rolled damage on top of that. If the damage is 2d6 and you roll a natural 20, you start with 12 points of damage, and then add the 2d6 that you roll. It’s designed to make critical hits feel even more impactful.
14. Are there any ways to lower the number I need to roll for a critical hit?
Yes, certain class features, feats, or magic items can allow you to score a critical hit on a roll lower than 20. The Champion Fighter subclass, for example, has a feature that expands their critical hit range.
15. What’s the difference between doubling the damage and doubling the dice?
In D&D 5e, the rule is to double the dice, not the damage. This means you roll all the damage dice again, as opposed to rolling once and multiplying the result by two. This nuance affects the average damage output, as doubling the dice generally results in a higher average damage compared to doubling the result.
Mastering the Crit: Strategic Implications
Understanding the rules of critical hits is crucial, but knowing how to strategically leverage them is even more important. Build your character to maximize your chances of scoring critical hits, whether through advantage, abilities that expand your crit range, or spells that inflict conditions like Paralyzed or Unconscious. Coordinate with your party to exploit these conditions and unleash devastating critical strikes.
The thrill of rolling a natural 20 and unleashing a torrent of damage dice is one of the most exciting moments in D&D. By understanding the mechanics and strategic implications of critical hits, you can elevate your gameplay and become a true master of combat.
This deep dive into critical hits should give you a solid foundation for understanding and utilizing them effectively in your D&D 5e games. Remember, the rules are just the beginning; it’s how you apply them creatively that truly matters. To further your understanding of role-playing games and their educational impact, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.