Critical hit and fumble tables?

[Spatula]

We use the same system in my group (a "1" is a fumble threat), but I'm wondering if it really does work in favor of high-BAB classes like Fighters. Considering that extra attacks from high BAB have successively lower to-hit bonuses, having more than one attack is still a bit of a penalty. Say an 11th level fighter rolls a 1 on his last attack - his BAB for that attack is only +1, the same as a 1st level fighter. Now the 11th level fighter probably has all kinds of bonuses to hit that a 1st level one would not, but his foes also have much higher ACs than what a 1st level fighter would see.

I think I'm starting to see why the designers left fumbles out of the game.

 

[maddman75]

Chart? Chart? I thought we were playing 3e here!

Here's my rules. They're fast, they work.

Critical hits are standard. FUmbles do one of two things.

Melee. A swing goes wide, you stumble, a strap on your armor or backpack slips, whatever. You are distracted for a moment, provoking an AoO from the enemy you were attacking.

Missile - If there are any other creatures or damageable objects within the firing arc (my judgement, but generally about 60 degrees), roll randomly to see where the shot went. Roll another attack and see if it hits the AC. I know, I know, that means an expert archer is more likely to get friendly fire, but it happens so seldom I don't care. Anything else would make things more complicated than I want to deal with.

These rules work great. They avoid having to stop to look up the effect on a chart or extra rolls. They represent something bad happening. And it can be quite amusing when the character rolls a 1 and provokes and AoO on a troll, then the troll rolls a 1 and opens himself to the fighter.

 

[Inez Hull]

Melee. A swing goes wide, you stumble, a strap on your armor or backpack slips, whatever. You are distracted for a moment, provoking an AoO from the enemy you were attacking.

This works well because only combatants of an equal of greater power will be able to take advantage of this. I view a fumble not so much as a slippery grip on a weapon as rather the taking of a poor attacking option. Even high level fighters will do this occassionally when fighting very powerful foes. AoO's are easy to resolve and usually fun in combat, as opposed to dropping weapons.

The only change I make is to allow the opponent to substitute a disarm, sunder or trip attempt for their AoO if they have the relevant feats.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The only change I make is to allow the opponent to substitute a disarm, sunder or trip attempt for their AoO if they have the relevant feats.

You can make disarm, sunder, or trip attempts with AoOs anyway...

-Hyp.

 

[Dr. NRG]

An accurate system would take into account how much you miss by. What I mean is that rolling a 1 when attacking an AC 8 creature is only missing by 7. Rolling a 1 when attacking an AC 38 creature is a whole different ballgame.

Likewise, rolling a 20 when attacking an AC 8 creature is a heckuva hit, while rolling it while attacking an AC 38 may just barely do the job (depending of course on bonuses).

Is a high level fighter more likely to fumble on his third attack during a round than his first? Is he more likely to crit on his first attack? I would argue that the answer to both of these is yes, and would add that I've seen few systems that take this into account.

NRG