Threat on a 3 or better?

[the Jester]

Well, the thing is, if it had the improved crit feat, it would be listed as a feat, right? Especially as it has a ton of other feats listed...
and its ability is listed as "augmented critical"- not keen or anything- and it doesn't say anything about where it comes from or how it works in terms of stacking. It can't be that it doubles the threat range because it's an odd threat range (9 possibles). I originally envisioned it as a keen with improved crit sort of thing, but there isn't anything actually written to support that. So unless I rule (as AuraSeer suggests) that it's a double-strength keen effect, I can't break this down smoothly. (I don't think it includes improved crit, just to reiterate.)

Again, unless I'm missing something... I certainly like the idea of a threat range of 3-20...

Liquide: actually it has eleven fighter levels, CR 18.

 

[AuraSeer]

Again, unless I'm missing something... I certainly like the idea of a threat range of 3-20...

Who wouldn't. However, you are in fact missing something: players know the rules too.

When a monster crits on every single hit for an entire combat, any decent player will call BS. If you're not prepared to justify the stacking of these abilities, you will give the appearance of making up rules just to kill PCs more easily. This is a certain recipe for angering players and killing the fun.

 

[the Jester]

Who wouldn't. However, you are in fact missing something: players know the rules too.

When a monster crits on every single hit for an entire combat, any decent player will call BS. If you're not prepared to justify the stacking of these abilities, you will give the appearance of making up rules just to kill PCs more easily. This is a certain recipe for angering players and killing the fun.

Well, yeah, that's why I'm checking to make sure this isn't against the rules.

To recap: I don't believe that these critters already have improved crit since it's not listed in their stat block.

I can't break down an odd-sized threat range into two halves.

The augmented critical ability is an Exceptional (non-magical ability); thus it isn't the same as a double-strength keen.

The monster's threat range, by the book, without magical enhancement or improved crit, is indeed 12-20, which is the same as a rapier with improved crit and keen... neither of which it has. The creature also uses "rapier-hands" as its weapons, which do 2d6 hp of damage, thus being distinctly different from rapiers; they're a part of its body.

I can justify it, the only question is whether there's a compelling reason that improved crit won't double it's current threat range. I can see the stacking doubles argument, except that there isn't a doubling going on. Does augmented critical triple its normal threat range? I'd say that the 12-20 is its standard threat range, just as a rapier's standard threat range is 18-20. Note that not all the other MM2 monsters with a threat range better than 20 also have the augmented criticals SQ; the famine spirit, for instance, has the improved critical feat.

 

[Crothian]

WEll, my first question is can constructs take class levels?

Second, since a rapier has a 3 range threat range, if you do aquire Improved Critical, I'd just make it 9-20. That seems to be more with how the rules are. I do admit these creatures augmented critical ability is very badly defined, so it can be argued in a number of ways.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Not having MM2, is there an "augmented critical" ability listed in the preface/index like there are in MM1? If so and it isn't blatantly clear how to deal with it, could you post it?

 

[Crothian]

The ability is just listed under the creature, not in the summary of abilities up front.

 

[the Jester]

WEll, my first question is can constructs take class levels?

To quote from the description- "Unlike most constructs, a nimblewright is created with intelligence and a distinct personality that allows for intuitive thinking and responsiveness." I'd say that's a yes.

Originally posted by kigmatzomat
Not having MM2, is there an "augmented critical" ability listed in the preface/index like there are in MM1? If so and it isn't blatantly clear how to deal with it, could you post it?

Unfortunately, no there isn't. However, a number of other creatures have the augmented critical ability as well. The nightmare beast, for example, has it; it also has the improved crit feat (thus they stack). The augmented crit ability gives it a natural threat range of 19-20, with improved crit it goes to 18-20. However, 12-20 doesn't halve so easily...

The jarilith demon also has the augmented critical ability, and its threat range is 18-20. Humm, so it can't be a simple doubling of the threat range...

Well, given the precedent that I (just now while looking at other creatures) discovered with the nightmare beast, I guess I'll either split the difference and allow the improved crit to add half (round down) to the threat range maybe- so instead of 3-20 it'll only be 7-20- or else just add three to it... damn, I'm resisting this interpetation, but I may have to go with it. Oh well.


How disappointing.

 

[Shallown]

Do you have to take a lot of levels in fighter?

Improved crit has a BAB requirment and no others right. (Sorry can't remember).
Doesn't the creatures BAB count to this requirement.

Was just wondering since I plan to use this type of encounter in a few sessions in my group as well. Just parellel Genuis I think.

Later

 

[the Jester]

Do you have to take a lot of levels in fighter?

Improved crit has a BAB requirment and no others right. (Sorry can't remember).
Doesn't the creatures BAB count to this requirement.

Was just wondering since I plan to use this type of encounter in a few sessions in my group as well. Just parellel Genuis I think.

Later

Don't have to for the feat- have to to make it an EL 20 encounter.

The other nimblewright is 11th level in a different class, and together they are crazy teamwork nasty stuff dudes goin' on there. They- but enough about my plans, I hope none of my players sees this thread!

 

[Crothian]

What about making him a Weapon Master? You should be sort of close to it with just the base creature. Take a few fighter levels to get the rest of the needed feats.