criticals-is 19-20/x3 better than 18-20/x2?

[green slime]

In general (except for some specific cases) it is more desireable to increase the crit range, not the crit multiplier, altho both are technically the same, the chance to "waste" damage, because you don't need to do so much damage to drop an opponent, is much higher with the high crit multipliers. A more distributed extra damage with a high crit range, but low crit multiplier therefore is generally the better choice.

Bye
Thanee

But it comes right down to a matter of taste: The chance to do 8d4+24 vs that nasty single creature (Str 18 Ftr with scythe vs dragon), or 3 times higher chance to deal 2d6+8 (same with rapier), when you know if you don't damage it soon, you're dead.

Given 3.5e power attack, the weapon of choice IMO, is the scythe. No other melee weapon can sway the battle so much on a single strike.

"Wasting" damage isn't an issue. killing the opposition as soon as possible is.

 

[Darklone]

High crit multiplier weapons are much stronger for classes like the Weapon Master or feats like Power Critical.