DM's no longer getting crits on PC's

[dumdragon]

How do you all feel about the proposed change to crits affecting the PC's?
I know my players and I will not be following that bit of advice but I was curious about how everyone else feels about this.

 

[Maxperson]

How do you all feel about the proposed change to crits affecting the PC's?
I know my players and I will not be following that bit of advice but I was curious about how everyone else feels about this.

I will absolutely be ignoring that rule.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I am VERY divided. I think if there are rules where some legendary or special NPC/Monsters can crit I am Okay with these orks and goblins can't... I also will (if they do what I hope) say the idea of having recharge/encounter powers to make the combat more dynamic is more important to me.

I already start at 3rd level to avoid the "opps I crit you and killed you out right" problem

 

[Reynard]

I like swingy effects in combat so on first blush I am not on board. But it has been suggested there are compensatory recharge abilities so maybe it's okay.

 

[payn]

I don’t like it. But I’m willing to see how this recharge deal works. You add them back in at your own risk math might not support it.

 

[Maxperson]

I am VERY divided. I think if there are rules where some legendary or special NPC/Monsters can crit I am Okay with these orks and goblins can't... I also will (if they do what I hope) say the idea of having recharge/encounter powers to make the combat more dynamic is more important to me.

I already start at 3rd level to avoid the "opps I crit you and killed you out right" problem

We start at 3rd level because we like to start with all of our 1st level abilities that they split into 3 levels, and have our subclasses from day 1. A side benefit is avoiding the crit kills.

 

[edosan]

I guess I’m curious to see what they bring out in monster construction as an alternative but I won’t be getting rid of my decks of critical hit cards any time soon.

 

[Maxperson]

I like swingy effects in combat so on first blush I am not on board. But it has been suggested there are compensatory recharge abilities so maybe it's okay.

Hmm. Extra recharge abilities AND crits?! Monsters might start really hitting at their CR for a change.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

We start at 3rd level because we like to start with all of our 1st level abilities that they split into 3 levels, and have our subclasses from day 1. A side benefit is avoiding the crit kills.

yeah... I mean the crit isn't the ONLY benefit.

 

[Jacob Lewis]

I like it. I didn't think I would, but after giving it some thought, it makes sense. Why should the rank and file need a moment to shine when they're only appearing for one scene in the heroes story?

Crits are never about character choices or skill anyway. Its just a dice roll. Dice don't play the game.

 

[el-remmen]

I don't like it. Not a fan of re-charge abilities either and usually just make them work automatically if it has been more than two rounds since it was last used.

 

[cbwjm]

I'll be keeping crits for monsters, just doubling damage, nothing else.

 

[James Gasik]

It looks like they want to get rid of big swings on both sides, since it appears that Rogues and Paladins won't get huge crits anymore.

And since monsters are not designed anything like players, their crits hurt more. My go to example is the giant ape's 7d6 rock throw. My Sorcerer polymorphed himself into one once, and the DM was gobsmacked when I rolled a 20 to hit.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

Weak sauce

 

[billd91]

And since monsters are not designed anything like players, their crits hurt more. My go to example is the giant ape's 7d6 rock throw. My Sorcerer polymorphed himself into one once, and the DM was gobsmacked when I rolled a 20 to hit.

Yeah, I think this is partly where it’s coming from. Killing the monster crit allows the base damage to be ramped up so they provide a more consistent experience in a combat encounter without big spikes that undermine the math for the CR ratings.
I did quite a number on a PC with a wraith crit (8d6) that, thanks to missing the save, also took the same amount off his max hit points. It was kind of exciting.

 

[MGibster]

How do you all feel about the proposed change to crits affecting the PC's?
I know my players and I will not be following that bit of advice but I was curious about how everyone else feels about this.

Crits are fun. They're fun when the PCs score them and it's fun when the bad guys score them. Is there some movement to get rid of crits against PCs? 5th edition is already very survivable, next thing you know creatures and NPCs will be armed with nerf weapons. Enemy wizards will yell, "Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!" and throw tennis balls wrapped in colorful socks at the PCs. Weak sauce indeed.

 

[Reynard]

Crits are fun. They're fun when the PCs score them and it's fun when the bad guys score them. Is there some movement to get rid of crits against PCs? 5th edition is already very survivable, next thing you know creatures and NPCs will be armed with nerf weapons. Enemy wizards will yell, "Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!" and throw tennis balls wrapped in colorful socks at the PCs. Weak sauce indeed.

I don't think it is about "easy" so much as it is about "predictable" from the GMs perspective.

 

[James Gasik]

It's not just monster crits, spell crits too.

 

[D1Tremere]

Crits from the monsters interfere with cooperative story telling. If a player overcomes great adversity to achieve their story arc, the last thing they generally want is to die to a few lucky/unlucky rolls. This is especially true when you consider that monsters often outnumber the PCs, allowing them not only more actions but more crit chances. This often leads to DMs having to fudge damage or hit results.
To me this means that the default rules should be more on the controlled side, knowing that experienced players will use whatever rule they prefer at that point and for their group.

 

[billd91]

It's not just monster crits, spell crits too.

As much fun as I’ve had critting with the occasional scorching ray or fire bolt, I’m not too fussed about losing spell crits. If they stay in the realm of actual weapons, not attack-rolling spells, that’s one way to give martial characters something spellcasters don’t get as often (barring them using an actual weapon).