Crit with Harm?

[0-hr]

So by the rules as written, a Harm spell can crit because you have to roll a touch attack to hit with it?

That ambiguity with the 1hp thing seems like prime FAQ material since the rules as written (in my opinion anyway) seem to contradict the designer's intent.

 

[RigaMortus2]

What 1hp thing? You mean 3.0 where you lost all your hit points save 1d4? Isn't 3.5 10hp/level? Or is there a stipulation that you can't go below 1hp no matter how much damage you do (I forget, haven't read Harm recently)?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

So by the rules as written, a Harm spell can crit because you have to roll a touch attack to hit with it?

And because it deals damage.

Both are necessary in order for a crit to happen and be meaningful.

 

[Nebulous]

I ruled Harm as critical attack one unforgettable time. The enemy was shapechanged and behind the PC, and rolled a 20 for its touch attack. I described it to the player as two hands clamping his head, and jolts of black energy eletrocuting his brain. He lost 8 levels at once and barely escaped alive. Nasty.

 

[0-hr]

Harm charges a subject with negative energy that deals 10 points of damage per caster level (to a maximum of 150 points at 15th level). If the creature successfully saves, harm deals half this amount, but it cannot reduce the target’s hit points to less than 1.

EDITE: Sorry, I misread the text and so have erased my nonsensical comments.

 

[Hammerhead]

I ruled Harm as critical attack one unforgettable time. The enemy was shapechanged and behind the PC, and rolled a 20 for its touch attack. I described it to the player as two hands clamping his head, and jolts of black energy eletrocuting his brain. He lost 8 levels at once and barely escaped alive. Nasty.

Interesting, since Harm doesn't do negative levels.

 

[Nail]

What 1hp thing?

This:

...it cannot reduce the target’s hit points to less than 1.

 

[Nail]

.....could a sneak attack Harm bring an opponent below 1 hp?

 

[RigaMortus2]

This:

Assuming he succeeds the save, right?

If the creature successfully saves, harm deals half this amount, but it cannot reduce the target’s hit points to less than 1.

Otherwise, he's getting hit with 300 points of damage (assuming a 15th level caster criting), and unless he has more than 300hp, he's toast (ie dead).

 

[RigaMortus2]

.....could a sneak attack Harm bring an opponent below 1 hp?

Good question. What is the order of operations? Do you apply sneak attack damage before or after Harm damage? Is that a player or DM call? Is it spelled out anywhere.