Vorpal Vs Fortification

[Trainz]

Bah, vorpal is broken anyway. Take vorpal out and replace with an increase to the crit multiplier. Insta-kills belong in semi-realistic damage games...
(Nothing like an autocannon to ruin your day)

Fascinating. We've been doing it like that for years.

Vorpal increases the crit multiplier by 1 (long-sword becomes 19-20 x3) in our games.

 

[Beretta]

What nobody has mentioned so far (I don't think), is that heavy fortification is a +5 bonus!

For immunity to critical hits/sneak attacks, it's not worth that kind of bonus. They just don't happen that often in my game, and it's now at 24th level (from 1st).

For immunity to vorpality effects, energy bursts, and the like, it is worth it.

That's how I see it, and so that's how I DM it. If I had it just apply to crits/sneak attacks nobody would take it.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Vorpal increases the crit multiplier by 1 (long-sword becomes 19-20 x3) in our games.

In other words, it's completely worthless for a +5 bonus.

 

[Pants]

Vorpal doesn't really make sense either way.

How does a Halfling with a Vorpal Longsword, who's just scored a successful critical hit against a Storm Giant, manage to successfuly cut the giant's head off? Does the Halfling just poke the giant in the shin's and its head pops off or does something else happen?

Crazy stuff.

 

[dcollins]

How does a Halfling with a Vorpal Longsword, who's just scored a successful critical hit against a Storm Giant, manage to successfuly cut the giant's head off? Does the Halfling just poke the giant in the shin's and its head pops off or does something else happen?

Crazy stuff.

This was discussed a few weeks ago. Per DMG, "The DM may have to make judgement calls about this sword's effect." The easiest ruling is to say if you cannot reach the head, the vorpal effect cannot work. Simple.

 

[Gort]

In other words, it's completely worthless for a +5 bonus.

Quoted for emphasis. Anyone ever take it in your campaign?

 

[Darklone]

Fascinating. We've been doing it like that for years.

Vorpal increases the crit multiplier by 1 (long-sword becomes 19-20 x3) in our games.

I'd rather increase a *2 to *3, a *3 to a *5 and a *4 to a *7.