[Epic] Devastating Critical vs. Regeneration

[Sepulchrave II]

From the SRD:

DEVASTATING CRITICAL [EPIC]
Prerequisites: Str 25, Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Critical (chosen weapon), Overwhelming Critical (chosen weapon), Power Attack, Weapon Focus (chosen weapon).
Benefit: Whenever the character scores a critical hit with the chosen weapon, the target must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 character level + character’s Strength modifier) or die instantly. (Creatures immune to critical hits can’t be affected by this feat.)
Special: A character can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time a character takes the feat, it applies to a different type of weapon.


Can a character with this feat slay a creature with the regeneration ability without using the required means of bypassing the regeneration (troll to fire etc.)? I've been playing yes, but it just occurred to me that I might be wrong.

 

[Bront]

I'd drop the monster to -10 HP, but allow it to Regen as per normal.

In theory you can hack a troll to pieces (Well below -10) and it will eventualy still regenerate. -10 is usually considered dead, and regen bypasses this in most cases.

 

[Cheiromancer]

It says "die instantly," which seems straightforward. The only creatures not affected are those immune to critical hits. Regeneration gives no such immunity.

 

[the Jester]

Hmmm, regeneration makes normal damage into nonlethal damage... this has nothing to do with inflicting damage.

I say that Devastating Critical works on regenerating creatures.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I say it dies.

I'd drop the monster to -10 HP, but allow it to Regen as per normal.

In theory you can hack a troll to pieces (Well below -10) and it will eventualy still regenerate. -10 is usually considered dead, and regen bypasses this in most cases.

Note that a regenerating creature taking non-regeneratable damage doesn't drop its HP value. Non-lethal damage counts up from 0 and while non-lethal damage is equal to or higher than current hp, the creature is unconcious. Only this non-lethal damage is regeneratable.

 

[Sejs]

Put me down as another vote for "it dies".