Touch Attacks and Critical Hits

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Magic Weapons :: d20srd.org

Originally Posted by SRD Excerpt
Magic Weapons and Critical Hits

Some weapon qualities and some specific weapons have an extra effect on a critical hit. This special effect functions against creatures not subject to critical hits, such as undead, elementals, and constructs. When fighting against such creatures, roll for critical hits as you would against humanoids or any other creature subject to critical hits. On a successful critical roll, apply the special effect, but do not multiply the weapon’s regular damage.​

Thanks, Theroc. I didn't know that. This is why this forum is great for DnD. Practically every answer can be found, here!

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Being able to do a Crit isn't a Precision damage. Precision (game terms) is sneak attack. You can Crit a Undead (Flaming Burst for example).
Crits are dealing extra damage by luck.

Why Touch attacks can: because all attacks with an attack roll can roll a Crit. D&D is based on that idea.
Example, Ray of Frost causes extra freezing when it crits (1d3 + 1d3).

Thanks, Starbuck_II. I, now, understand how this could be. There is another section in the rules that I wasn't aware of concerning this.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

There is no such thing as a precision attack there is only precision damage.

Rules Compendium pg 42 clarifies (or specifies) what is precision damage.

"A number of abilities in the game allow a creature to deal extra damage by striking a vital area."

RC pg 40 talks about critical hits

"A critical hit is an attack that deals more damage, indicating a hit to a vital area."

and while the text makes them seem like they are the same the restrictions for the 2 are different.

Critical hits only require that the opponent not be immune to it (like undead and constructs) precision damage requires the ability to focus on the vital area - hence the being able to see and reach it, being close (for a ranged attack), etc.

Critical hits involve a certain amount of "luck" and function along the same paths as a nat 20 always hits and a nat 1 always misses on attack rolls, even if you couldn't hit the creature or miss the creature with any given die roll.

Thank you, irdeggman.

I'm getting the answers that I need on this subject in this thread. It's really helping understand why I probably don't need to make any houserules in this area (as I was considering). I think it's a good idea to understand why the rules are the way they are before implementing houserules. Especially, given all the effort that's been put into making the game the way it is. And, the answers in this thread are really helping!

Keep up the good work, E-N-Worlders!

 

[milo]

I see crits as solid hits that land and normal attacks as glancing blows myself. This is not RAW, but it helps me visual and understand them better. So for spells that are touch attacks a non crit might hit them in the leg, arm, or just catch the side of the torso. A critical is a direct shot to the face, center of the torso or something along those lines. That is why I like to use a crit chart or the critical hit cards.

 

[Theroc]

Thanks, Theroc. I didn't know that. This is why this forum is great for DnD. Practically every answer can be found, here!

No problem, saw that a few months ago when looking for weapon enchants for my Undead Hunting Paladin, and remembered when you mentioned the crit-trigger enchants not working on crit immune critters. Now, fiery burst WOULDN'T work on a fire elemental, since it's immune to fire too, I think.

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

I see crits as solid hits that land and normal attacks as glancing blows myself. This is not RAW, but it helps me visual and understand them better.

Me, too, Milo. But, I was getting my wires crossed concerning touch attacks. I was thinking that a touch attack could only be a glancing blow and that was throwing a curve ball into my thinking.

So for spells that are touch attacks a non crit might hit them in the leg, arm, or just catch the side of the torso. A critical is a direct shot to the face, center of the torso or something along those lines.

Sounds good, to me.

That is why I like to use a crit chart or the critical hit cards.

I found Critical Hit Deck to be pretty viscious, myself. But, then, crits should be viscious!

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

No problem, saw that a few months ago when looking for weapon enchants for my Undead Hunting Paladin, and remembered when you mentioned the crit-trigger enchants not working on crit immune critters. Now, fiery burst WOULDN'T work on a fire elemental, since it's immune to fire too, I think.

Thanks, again. I really appreciate it!

 

[Kylas]

Touch attack is NOT an attack that requires little precision. It ignores armor/shield/natural armor bonuses as it is irrelevant if opponent's surface is hard or not. Not because the attack does not need to be precise.

Not to hijack a thread or anything but this brings up something I've always wondered about. When you are attacked what is the order your AC benefits are penetrated. I don't think there are any rules on this but I always imagined it to be something like this:

Cover -> dodge/dex -> Ex abilities (monk AC) -> deflection -> shield -> magical bonuses (morale, luck etc.) -> armor -> natural armor.

Not that I'd memorize every players individual AC's but i think it be interesting to describe exactly how close an attack came to causing damage.