Unarmed Strike and Touch Spells

[Hypersmurf]

How does Improved Critical: Unarmed Strike interact with weapon-like touch spells?

Would a 19 threaten to double the damage on a touch-attack Inflict Light Wounds? On an unarmed-strike-delivered Inflict Light Wounds?

Also, same question with regard to spell-storing weapons - would a critical hit that triggers an Inflict spell deal critical damage?

-Hyp.

 

[S'mon]

How does Improved Critical: Unarmed Strike interact with weapon-like touch spells?

Would a 19 threaten to double the damage on a touch-attack Inflict Light Wounds? On an unarmed-strike-delivered Inflict Light Wounds?

Also, same question with regard to spell-storing weapons - would a critical hit that triggers an Inflict spell deal critical damage?

-Hyp.

The spell damage in those cases seems akin to the fire of a flaming sword, or a sneak attack's bonus damage - ie a critical should have no additional effect. This contrasts with cases like Melf's acid arrow where a critical hit would multiply the strike damage.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Oh, here we go - it's in Tome and Blood. "Only the Unarmed Strike can inflict a critical hit."

So looks like it has to be Improved Critical : Touch Attack.

-Hyp.

 

[thegreatbuddha]

Remember that, if you deliver a touch spell with an unarmed strike, as opposed to a touch attack, you have to hit the defender's normal AC. Since you are trying to cause physical damage with the touch itself, it no longer counts as a "touch" per se.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yup. It looks like you can only ever deliver an improved critical Inflict with a touch, never with a punch.

But a natural 20 on a punch + Inflict should still threaten for both, as far as I can tell.

I think.

-Hyp.