Spellsword: Channel Spell (CW)

[nhl_1997]

If a spellsword channels a ray (or any spell capable of critical hits) into a melee weapon, can the spell crit?

a) Caster level 6 scorching ray channeled into a rapier. The attack roll is a 20 and the threat is confirmed. Does the attack deal 4d6 or 8d6 of fire damage from the scorching ray?

b) Same as above, but the attack roll is a 19 (which hits) and the treat is confirmed. 4d6 or 8d6 from the scorching ray?

c) Caster level 12 scorching ray channeled into a rapier. Attack roll is a 20 and the threat is confirmed. 12d6, 24d6, or 16d6 (obscure ruling that only one of the three rays can crit)?

d) Caster level 12 scorching ray channeled into a rapier. Attack roll is a 19 which hits and the threat is confirmed. 12d6, 24d6, or 16d6?

 

[cmanos]

I don't have the book in front of me to be sure of this, but I think I would say that the critical would be on the weapon damage. Allowing it to double the damage of the magical attack as well would be abusive...

 

[pbd]

The PHB says that additional damage dice don't multiply with a crit. I would assume that a chanelled scorching ray would count as additional damage dice and not multiply on the crit.

However, I think you could make a good arguement for doubling the scorching ray damage on a nat 20 (with a crit confirmation), since the ray would crit on the 20 if used normally.

pbd