1d2-4? = -2 Damage?

[Jeremy]

You double the negative damage?

 

[James McMurray]

Yep. When rolling a crit, all damage (base and modifiers) is doubled.

 

[Piratecat]

The crit would do 2d2 - 8 = 1.

Nope. It's 1d2-4, twice, with a minimum of 1 pt. each time. Thus, 2 pts from a crit!

 

[James McMurray]

I'd like to see a rules backup for that. All I've ever seen is you double the number of dice rolled, and you double the bonuses (or penalties in this case). The rule (AFAIK) states that any successful attack does a minimum of 1 point of damage, not that any successful attack does a minimum of 1 point of damage per die.

Of course, given that we're talking about a cat here, and the damage is 1 or 2 points, I doubt anyone (except a commoner) will really care.

 

[Azure Trance]

I'd like to see a rules backup for that. All I've ever seen is you double the number of dice rolled, and you double the bonuses (or penalties in this case). The rule (AFAIK) states that any successful attack does a minimum of 1 point of damage, not that any successful attack does a minimum of 1 point of damage per die.

Of course, given that we're talking about a cat here, and the damage is 1 or 2 points, I doubt anyone (except a commoner) will really care.

Em ... I thought it was this way as well?

 

[SylverFlame]

Technically speaking, the damage is rolled twice, but SEPERATLY. Therefore, the attack would do 2 pts of damage, excluding any other magics.

Love the kitty pic The It's Man.

Also, who would've thought a basic question would expand into a rules debate? I love this site.

 

[Guilt Puppy]

To expand on what other people have said: It's that way to account for any other bonuses to damage, or increases in damage die the cat might happen to accrue (through a variety of means, mainly spell effects). Basically, so that you can't buff up a cat to the point that it's doing real damage, unless you buff it a LOT... I don't know what the rules state about a critical in that situation, or if they're clear about it either way. I'd probably go the 2 damage route, cause a well-placed cat scratch can be pretty vicious

Also, I'd just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone: A cat has a higher challenge rating than a kobold. Which makes me so, so happy.

 

[demon_jr]

Also, I'd just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone: A cat has a higher challenge rating than a kobold. Which makes me so, so happy.

But can a cat gain levels in sorcerer, fighter, etc.?

Beware the 20th level cat bard!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Technically speaking, the damage is rolled twice, but SEPERATLY. Therefore, the attack would do 2 pts of damage, excluding any other magics.

It's similar to the minimum-of-1 rule for Skill Points per level.

A half-elf fighter with an intelligence of 9 gets 1 skill point per level. The same half-elf with an intelligence of 7 gets 1 skill point per level, because 2 - 2 (minimum 1) is 1.

A human fighter with an intelligence of 4 gets two skill points per level... because 2 - 3 (minimum 1) is 1, plus a bonus point for being human is 2.

Someone with a -4 Strength modifier rolling a Critical with a Scythe does a minimum of 4 damage : 2d4-4(min 1) + 2d4-4(min 1) + 2d4-4(min 1) + 2d4-4(min 1).

-Hyp.

 

[TwoSix]

But can a cat gain levels in sorcerer, fighter, etc.?

Beware the 20th level cat bard!

Gee, thanks, now I have that Meow Mix commercial running through my head!