Need a quick answer - can Shadows crit?

[haakon1]

In my game, a shadow just rolled a natch 20 on its incorporeal touch attack, which does 1d6 Str damage.

I couldn't figure out if that's a threat, so I rolled a threat check and got another natch 20.

Ugh. Then I rolled damage -- the PC is going down and becoming a shadow (essentially dying) if the crit is legit, and lives if it is not.

Anybody know the official rule?

Thanks!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Anybody know the official rule?

Ability Damage: This attack damages an opponent’s ability score. The creature’s descriptive text gives the ability and the amount of damage. If an attack that causes ability damage scores a critical hit, it deals twice the indicated amount of damage (if the damage is expressed as a die range, roll two dice). Ability damage returns at the rate of 1 point per day for each affected ability.

-Hyp.

 

[haakon1]

I am in your debt, good sir.

Sadly, when shadows drain to Str 0, their victim becomes another Shadow in 1d4 Rounds. Doesn't look there's anyway for a low-level party to stop that.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

fudge it, you will be happy you did. Its too late though isent it?

 

[haakon1]

fudge it, you will be happy you did. Its too late though isent it?

Well, it's an email game.

I told everybody what happened, but I told the player he can re-roll the damage, if he wants, and if he rolls 9 or lower, he lives. He's still debating whether to re-roll or suck it up.

 

[Talon Stormwarden]

Well, it's an email game.

I told everybody what happened, but I told the player he can re-roll the damage, if he wants, and if he rolls 9 or lower, he lives. He's still debating whether to re-roll or suck it up.

I don't know if you rolled 2d6 for damage or just doubled your first roll, but that may provide an out for you if you doubled, since rolling 2d6 is the more 'correct' method.

 

[haakon1]

I don't know if you rolled 2d6 for damage or just doubled your first roll, but that may provide an out for you if you doubled, since rolling 2d6 is the more 'correct' method.

I rolled natch 20 to hit, natch 20 to check the threat, and 5 and 6 on 2d6 for damage. Which means Str 10 to future shadow spawn in one blow. Ouch! Me rolls too hot!

 

[Bad Paper]

I say those rolls are awesome, and the PC dies, and becomes a shadow, and everyone is happy that you didn't screw with the consistency of the rules. This is a memorable occasion! In a year your players will say, "oh, yar, remember Stumpy? yeah, that was a terrible event... <wipes tear from eye>"

Not to threadjack or anything, but I have always wondered whether a critical hit from something like a wraith (which gains hit points from its target) gives the wraith double the hit points. The spectre explicitly says "five hit points per negative level" whereas the wraith simply says "five hit points per successful attack." Thus the implication on a critical is yes for the spectre but no for the wraith. Any thoughts?

 

[haakon1]

A Way to Save Greyamirl!

Ha, a player (who is also a DM on his own, and more experienced than me) asked me OOC over email why Greyamirl's dying if he's at Str 0 -- that shouldn't kill him, just make him helpless.

Right indeed, so I reminded him it was actually Create Spawn that is killing him.

And then I had the eureka moment! How do you prevent undead from forming? Note that this fight is at night, in a graveyard, surrounding an ancient Chapel to multiple gods, including some good ones like Ehlonna (Greyamirl's god as a druid) and Pelor.

Thinking what I'm thinking? 5th level instanteous -- as in lasts forever -- cleric spell cast on many religious structures? Yup, I'm willing to say it's there, so if they think of it and drag him to safety, they can save him -- he's only about 20 ft. from the doorway!

I ever told the player (in private email) there's a way to save the character, and his animal companion can do it, but I'm not telling the others, because that's too big a hint.

We'll see if anyone gets it . . . the "interred" part is interesting. Ah, technically, "any DEAD body interred in a hallowed site cannot be tuend into an undead creature", but I'll be an activist judge on this one and assume the Founding Fathers INTENT was no undead can be formed in a hallowed place, whether the victim is technically still alive until he spawns, or not.

 

[haakon1]

I say those rolls are awesome, and the PC dies, and becomes a shadow, and everyone is happy that you didn't screw with the consistency of the rules. This is a memorable occasion! In a year your players will say, "oh, yar, remember Stumpy? yeah, that was a terrible event... <wipes tear from eye>"

Not to threadjack or anything, but I have always wondered whether a critical hit from something like a wraith (which gains hit points from its target) gives the wraith double the hit points. The spectre explicitly says "five hit points per negative level" whereas the wraith simply says "five hit points per successful attack." Thus the implication on a critical is yes for the spectre but no for the wraith. Any thoughts?

I'm in a rules lawyery mood, so I agree with you.