D&D (2024) DM's no longer getting crits on PC's

[Andvari]

While I like to also use the same rules for crits and such, it should be noted the PF2e has a different system for crits, you need to roll 10 above the target number for something to be a crit so in some cases, a crit simply won't be able to happen.

A natural 20 still increases the success factor by one step, so it will almost always be a critical hit even if not 10 above the target number. For example, if the AC is 25, you have +8 to hit and roll 20, your result is only 28, but it still critically hits as the natural 20 increases the degree of success from success to critical success.

In gameplay, the "10 above mechanic" mostly means crits happen more frequently, as you can often crit without needing a 20.

But if the AC was 29, you are correct that it would not be possible to critically hit the target with only a +8 to hit. Though I imagine that scenario is one the players are not intended to fight anyway.

 

[Jfdlsjfd]

This is the key. We have half the change without even a single example monster.

We also have no idea if the "poorly working proof of concept" level absorb shield death saves atop basically no cost yoyo healing will remain in place or get fixed.

I fully expect the "restore all your abilities and HP on hitting the rest button" to stay. Generations have been raised with this expectation through videogames.

 

[Retreater]

I wonder if the designers actually heard feedback or experienced themselves that 5e encounters were too dangerous? After 3rd level, I'd say they're not challenging at all, and you can pretty much play on auto pilot.
Now, if they're going to pair no crits for monsters with better encounter design math and recharge abilities, maybe I'll take a look at it. But everything I've seen thus far has been about making the PCs more powerful.
I think the better solution that would keep up with the overall design of 5e would be to give a buffer of extra HP to 1st level characters to reduce the possibility of being one-shotted by a Crit, or maybe change the massive damage rule (that only matters at 1st level anyway).

 

[Jacob Lewis]

You know you still get to roll dice for damage, right? So there's still the "thrill" of rolling really good or really bad in the department that really counts: damage dealt.

What do crits do anyway, except force more math on people? "Double these numbers, but not those!" This is supposed to be a fun game, not calculus!

But if that's still not good enough to get your geek-heart pumping, try exploding damage dice. For those who don't know what that is: Whenever a damage die rolls its maximum value (a 4 on a d4, an 8 on a d8, etc.), you roll an extra die and add that. And who doesn't love rolling more dice, especially if that is what makes the game actually fun? Choices don't matter when you can just roll 20s all day.

 

[tetrasodium]

I fully expect the "restore all your abilities and HP on hitting the rest button" to stay. Generations have been raised with this expectation through videogames.

I wouldn't be so quick to assume . Look at the changed long rest rules. One per 24 hours and any combat interrupts. Anyone can take the first level healer feat letting someone burn a hit die when you use a healers kit... Hit dice have built-in limits

 

[payn]

You know you still get to roll dice for damage, right? So there's still the "thrill" of rolling really good or really bad in the department that really counts: damage dealt.

What do crits do anyway, except force more math on people? "Double these numbers, but not those!" This is supposed to be a fun game, not calculus!

But if that's still not good enough to get your geek-heart pumping, try exploding damage dice. For those who don't know what that is: Whenever a damage die rolls its maximum value (a 4 on a d4, an 8 on a d8, etc.), you roll an extra die and add that. And who doesn't love rolling more dice, especially if that is what makes the game actually fun? Choices don't matter when you can just roll 20s all day.

I like the cut of you rjib. I'd love to get me back those damage multipliers from 3E/PF1!

 

[Reynard]

I suspect fights will be more fun with the current crit rules but I am willing to test it the other way for a while. That's what were supposed to be doing here, right? Testing the rules instead of just debating with our minds already made up?

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I suspect fights will be more fun with the current crit rules but I am willing to test it the other way for a while. That's what were supposed to be doing here, right? Testing the rules instead of just debating with our minds already made up?

This is a good take. The whole point is to see if you like it not a priori say it sucks.

I have to say there are several things in game I thought I would not like but have ended up preferring…

That said we had big fun with some big crits last night—-that led to cheers…so I am very skeptical but nothing wrong with an open mind.

 

[Guest 7034872]

It's necessary given other changes to crits.

Specifically:

A) Making only weapons crit, rather than spells, which means you'd have to carefully check every monster stat block for spell keywords on attacks.

B) Only doubling weapon damage dice, not smites, sneak attacks, etc. Many monsters have a ton of baked-in damage which is basically to cover that or is literally that (pretty sure there's an antipaladin in MotM with perma-smite for example, baked in to the damage). Monsters would get a pretty huge unfair advantage here if they could still crit on all dice.

That's a very good point; I'll have to be careful about that.

 

[d24454_modern]

I feel like they’re making the gameplay too static. We’re getting to the point where we might as well not have dice.