Weak Creatures & Sneak Damage

[The Spectrum Rider]

Suppose some cute little critter has a Str of 3 (modifier -4) and does 1d3-4 hps of damage with its cute little dagger. As we all know, there's a minimum of 1 applied to that 1d3-4.

Suppose, however, that the creature has the sneak damage ability of a 5th-level rogue. It now, under sneak citrcumstances, does 1d3-4 + 3d6 hps of damage.

Does the "minimum of 1 hp damage" apply to its total damage, including the sneak damage, or does it still apply only to the 1d3-4 component, effectively giving the creature damage on a sneak attack of 1 + 3d6?

The Spectrum Rider

 

[Hypersmurf]

Suppose some cute little critter has a Str of 3 (modifier -4) and does 1d3-4 hps of damage with its cute little dagger. As we all know, there's a minimum of 1 applied to that 1d3-4.

Don't forget to ask the critical question as well.

On a crit, does he deal 2d3-8 (minimum 1), or 1d3-4 (minimum 1) plus 1d3-4 (minimum 1)?

-Hyp.

 

[James McMurray]

The total damage.

 

[Particle_Man]

Actually I would say that the sneak attack damage is separate, so no penalty would be applied to it. It is damage done solely from being in a special, vulnerable place, so force is not the issue. Similarly, if cute and fuzzy did +2d6 flame damage, I would keep that separate as well. If it can't be multiplied in a critical hit, why should it be affected by strength penalties?

Now as to critical hits, I would keep each separate as well, meaning that cute and fuzzy does a minimum of 2 damage on a x2 crit, not minimum of 1. Well, it is a critical hit, after all.

All of this is IMHO. I have no idea if the rules state anything, either way.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Now as to critical hits, I would keep each separate as well, meaning that cute and fuzzy does a minimum of 2 damage on a x2 crit, not minimum of 1. Well, it is a critical hit, after all.

It's a similar question to the human Fighter with a 6 Int.

How many skill points does he get? Is it 2 base, -2 for Int (with a minimum of 1)... +1 for being a human (total 2)? Or 2 base, -2 for Int, +1 for being a human (with a minimum of 1)... total 1?

-Hyp.

 

[Orm]

I always understood that the "minimum of 1" is applied at last.
So it would be first 1d3-4+3d6 (worst case 1-4+1+1+1=0) and then the minimum of 1 for 1 point of damage in the worst case.
The same for a crit: 2d3-8 (minimum 1)
For the INT score: 2 base+1 human-2 INT=1

Just my two cents
Orm

 

[Particle_Man]

It's a similar question to the human Fighter with a 6 Int.

How many skill points does he get? Is it 2 base, -2 for Int (with a minimum of 1)... +1 for being a human (total 2)? Or 2 base, -2 for Int, +1 for being a human (with a minimum of 1)... total 1?

-Hyp.

And I would give a similar answer. Even the dumbest human gets 2 skill points/level in my campaigns. It is a perk of being a human.

 

[CRGreathouse]

I think that the minimum is applied for each multiple of the damage (so munimum 2 for a crit), so I supposed I'd make it (damage, min 1) + SA.

Yes, I rule that humans get 2 skill points per level, even with low Int.

 

[JimAde]

I agree the crit would be minimum 2. The sneak attack damage is separate and, if I'm not mistaken, is not multiplied for a crit.