D&D 5E How does sleep interact with Multiple Attack?

[Stalker0]

When a person is asleep attacks against them are automatic criticals. Further, whenever they take damage they wake up.

My question is what happens when a character with 2 attacks hits a sleeping creature. Its either:

1) 1st attack is a crit, person wakes up and is no longer incapacitated, 2nd attack is normal.
2) 2 attacks are crits, and then the person wakes up

I put a poll up to see what people think.

 

[Hriston]

Assuming this is non-magical sleep, what's preventing the person from waking up before the attack is resolved?

 

[Coroc]

It would the same scenario if the two attacks would come from different opponents.

So 1 is the only obvious answer no need for a poll here.

I mean, if a critical hit does not get you wide awake, then what else would?

Your two attacks do not happen simultanously, even if you can carry them out both before any other individual at the ccene acts at their initiative segment.

 

[pming]

Hiya!

I replied "3. Other".

This is how I handle the situation the first time it comes up:

DM (Me): "Hmmm...ok guys. Question. Do you get all your attacks as Criticals when you attack a sleeping opponent, or do you only get the first one as a Critical and then he wakes up?"

Whatever answer they give is what goes for the campaign.

This is one of those situations that, to me, *sounds* like it would be option 1; first hit is a critical, regular after that due to the whole "takes damage" thing. However, it stands to reason that a person doesn't just suddenly "jump up on their feet, weapon ready all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed". When someone is waking up suddenly, they are confused and make stupid choices if they have to do it immediately. So that points me to option 2. So either way would be no skin off my teeth as a DM...ergo my choice to leave it in the hands of the players. With my group, they'd choose option 1 because they know that it's better for their PC's survival.

^_^

Paul L. Ming

 

[Mephista]

I'd give all criticals, but not because of sleep. If you're asleep, you're not standing. You've fallen to the ground. Doesn't prone also grant advantage? Barring extreme niche cases....

 

[DEFCON 1]

I also say #1 is the correct answer as far as crits are concerned... although the second attack isn't "normal" per se. The second attack is still with Advantage because the enemy is still prone.

 

[futrtrubl]

Also the first attack isn't an automatic critical, the first hit is IF they hit, though they do have advantage on the attack.

 

[Oofta]

The first attack has advantage to hit and is a critical because they are asleep, the second attack normally has advantage because they are prone.