How to critical hit undead

[SolitonMan]

This isn't a guide, but a question. Is there any way to gain the ability to critical hit undead? I thought there was a prestige class somewhere that had that as a class ability, and I also thought that I read an article in Dragon just before the release of Tome of Magic that included a description of a vestige of Kas (Vecna's lieutennant) that granted that ability when bound to a character. If anyone could please cite specific locations that such abilities might be found (assuming they exist anywhere beyond my mind) I'd really appreciate it. Magic items, feats, class abilities, spells - anything that lets you crit undead would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Thanee]

Paladins can do that with a spell, IIRC. Ah no, that was to sneak attack them.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Amitiel]

Feat
Undead Strike
You have learned to strike undead weak points for major effect
Prereq:4 ranks in knowledge necromancy, undead, or religeon and the Improved Critical feat
Allows user to make a standard (not improved) critical threat against corporeal undead with the weapon Improved Critical was chosen for. In addition DR for corporeal undead is reduced by 5 when facing opponant with this feat.
Note:Ghost touch weapons allow this to apply to incorporeal undead as well.

I don't remember off-hand where this came from. I know there is anouther one that is a divine feat that lets you expend turn attempts to enable crit on undead.

The Wormhunter prestige class may gain the ability to crit undead through the Gift of the Worm class feature. (Dragon 338 p71)

 

[pallandrome]

Play a high level pally with a lot of charisma, then blow your Lay on Hands all at once. It's like critting, but funnier!

 

[Moonstone Spider]

Grave Strike from the Spell Compendium but it's a self only spell. So have your cleric buddy cast it into a Ring of Spell Storing a few times, it's only a first level spell.

Edit: Spelling

 

[Thurbane]

Does the Skullclan Hunter get this, or just the ability to sneak attack undead?

 

[frankthedm]

Grave Strike from the Spell Compendium but it's a self only spell. So have your cleric buddy cast it into a Ring of Spell Storing a few times, it's only a first level spell.

Edit: Spelling

Thanks for that attempt, but Gravestrike will give no benefit when cast from a ring of spell storing. Gravestrike has a swift casting time which allows the caster to make attacks before the duration of 1 round is over, which is right before his next turn starts. A spell in a ring of spell storing has a minimum casting time of 1 standard action. You would have a move action in which to gain you sneak attack against the undead then your turn ends and you get to sit there and suck unless some dumb undead draws an AoO in a sneak attack situation. Wotc balanced Grave Strike reasonably well. One of the few ways to abuse it is to multiclass and carry a LOT of pearls of power to recall the spell to memory.

Spell Storing, Minor: A minor ring of spell storing contains up to three levels of spells that the wearer can cast. Each spell has a caster level equal to the minimum level needed to cast that spell. The user need not provide any material components or focus, or pay an XP cost to cast the spell, and there is no arcane spell failure chance for wearing armor (because the ring wearer need not gesture). The activation time for the ring is same as the casting time for the relevant spell, with a minimum of 1 standard action.

 

[FireLance]

Thanks for that attempt, but Gravestrike will give no benefit when cast from a ring of spell storing. Gravestrike has a swift casting time which allows the caster to make attacks before the duration of 1 round is over, which is right before his next turn starts. A spell in a ring of spell storing has a minimum casting time of 1 standard action. You would have a move action in which to gain you sneak attack against the undead then your turn ends and you get to sit there and suck unless some dumb undead draws an AoO in a sneak attack situation. Wotc balanced Grave Strike reasonably well. One of the few ways to abuse it is to multiclass and carry a LOT of pearls of power to recall the spell to memory.

An extended (+1 level) or persistent (+6 level) grave strike might work.

 

[frankthedm]

An extended (+1 level) or persistent (+6 level) grave strike might work.

Losing one round for the chance to sneak on the next seems about right for the cost with an extended stored Grave strike. As far as Persitant spell goes, I never said Wotc balanced that feat reasonably well.

 

[Hedgemage]

Grave Strike granted via Imbue With Spell Ability. How d'ya like them apples?