2d6 vs d12

[jgsugden]

Basically, 19-20 x2 is still better, just as we all suspected. With 20 x3, you crit less often and deal more damage. The problem is, this often kills whoever you're fighting, and there's "overflow" damage that brings them below -10, and thus might as well have never happened. With 19-20 x2, you'll still sometimes get overflow damage, but less often. Less of your damage is wasted via 19-20 x2.

OTOH, it is easier to get to death from massive damage with a X3 crit (needing to average only 17 points of damage per strike instead of 25). Also, it is *possible* to take out a foe faster with a greater multiplier ... though this rarely comes up, I've seen parties saved by a well timed massive multiplier crit. There are different type of advantages to each type of critical.

 

[Darklone]

Partially, you're right about the 19-20/*2 crit multiplier being better... but in case the enemy has a real high AC or your iterative attacks are low, the *3 multiplier is better since threats with the other weapon would not hit.

As for the greataxe vs. falchion... guess why they gave the 3.5 orc now falchions? Too many dead PCs killed by one lucky hit of a HD 1 orc.

 

[Plane Sailing]

As for the greataxe vs. falchion... guess why they gave the 3.5 orc now falchions? Too many dead PCs killed by one lucky hit of a HD 1 orc.

Yep, that possibility of 3d12+9 (12-45) damage on a crit was rather too nasty!