What crit range do you prefer?

[Viktyr Gehrig]

There's a trait called "Crushing" (IIRC) that doubles a bludgeoning weapon's threat range. Since it's also a +1 ability, it's pretty much identical to "Keen" on a slashing or piercing weapon. I don't remember what spell is required to enchant it, though.

 

[Jeph]

I prefer both. My best high-level characters was a Kensei with Improved Crit and Keen Scythe. It was a 16-20/x4 weapon, or x5 when using increased Critical. I usually choose high-multiplier weapons, then Keen-ize and (when I can) take Improved Critical.

 

[Jeph]

By the way, thats 5 crits for x4 damage out of 20 attacks. If all attacks hit, thats 35x damage. If you are high enough level to Increased Multiplier all the crits, thats 40x damage. Which says, IMHO, that its better to start with a high-multiplier weapon and increase the range (since increasing the range is easier than increasing the multiplier).

 

[drdevoid]

I prefer both. My best high-level characters was a Kensei with Improved Crit and Keen Scythe. It was a 16-20/x4 weapon, or x5 when using increased Critical. I usually choose high-multiplier weapons, then Keen-ize and (when I can) take Improved Critical.

My understanding of Improved Critical/Keen for a Scythe would be 18-20 x4. For any 19-20 weapon it would be 15-20, and any 18-20 weapon it would be 12-20. Am I mistaken? Also, what supplement does Increased Critical come from?

To the best of my knowledge the scariest crit range I can figure is a Weapon Master (S&F) with a few levels of ranger with the above mentioned ability/feats and favored critical (MotW). With the Ki Critical ability and the increased multiplier from the PrC, the character could end up with a critical range of 7-20 x3 (with a schimitar, falchion, rapier, kukri) against certain Favored enemies. A mere 10-20 x3 against all others . . . they don't get much grosser than that. Of course, that's when all the Orcs in the campaign became master armorsmiths with Heavy Fortification armor.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

I go with the damage multiplier

I tend to favor the damage modifier more then the threat range. Scoring a critical at x2 is nice, but it really comes down to being the same as scoring two hits in a row with the weapon. Also, weapons with x2 modifiers tend to be used in one hand, which means that the str damage is lower. An 18 Str crit with a longsword amounts to 2d8+4 (before counting weapon enchantment, specialization, etc).

However, a x3 modifier is just more impressive, especially when you consider that many of these weapons tend to be used two handed (Great Axe, spears, most pole arms). The x4 modifiers are even better, but the dice range is not as good (which is important since you cannot hit a critical all the time).

A Great Axe used by an 18 str char will do 1d12+6. A critical with that weapon will do 3d12+18. The same character using a Great Sword may do more damage over time (2d6+6 normal, 4d6+12 crit), but the criticals are just not as awe inspiring.

Another thing to consider is where you think you will be getting most of your damage bonuses from. The magical enchantments, specialization bonuses, and the like stay the same for one handed or two handed use. However, Str bonuses to damage on two handed weapons are massively magnified by a high critical modifier.

Great Sword, 2d6 (x2 multiplier)
14 Str 2d6+3, 4d6+6
16 Str 2d6+4, 4d6+8
18 Str 2d6+6, 4d6+12
20 Str 2d6+7, 4d6+14
22 Str 2d6+9, 4d6+18

Great Axe (x3 multiplier)
14 Str 1d12+3, 3d12+9
16 Str 1d12+4, 3d12+12
18 Str 1d12+6, 3d12+18
20 Str 1d12+7, 3d12+21
22 Str 1d12+9, 3d12+27

Scythe (x4 multiplier)
14 Str 2d4+3, 8d4+12
16 Str 2d4+4, 8d4+16
18 Str 2d4+6, 8d4+24
20 Str 2d4+7, 8d4+28
22 Str 2d4+9, 8d4+36

The numbers speak for them selves. A 4 point increase in Str is not too hard to obtain (Spell enhancement, magical items, barbarian rage). While you will certainly see the Great Sword critical more often then the Great Axe or Scythe, the damage difference on a critical is staggering when a high str is factored in. Lets take a quick look at the min and max damage for each critical assuming 18 Str.

Great Sword: 16 to 36 damage.
Great Axe: 21 to 54 damage
Scythe: 32 to 56 damage

A critical from a Greatsword will shorten a fight, and with Improved Critical, they will happen fairly often. But the flipside is that your opponent will take a bit longer to die. A Critical with a Great Axe will drop an opponent if you have been beating on him for a few rounds. A Scythe critical's minimum damage is within 4 of the greatswords maximum! Consider your self lucky that no x4 weapons do better then 2d4 (Though a Giant weilding a huge scythe....).

If you have a lower Str score, then going for the threat modifier is probably a safer bet. But if you have the Strength of a minor diety, go for the critical modifer. A x2, Threat 19 critical makes for a good average damage. A x3, Threat 20 critical does not do much for the average, but it can very suddenly end a fight.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[Spatula]

My understanding of Improved Critical/Keen for a Scythe would be 18-20 x4. For any 19-20 weapon it would be 15-20, and any 18-20 weapon it would be 12-20. Am I mistaken? Also, what supplement does Increased Critical come from?

Kensei is the Oriental Adventures name for the Weapon Master. Improved Crit/Keen on a Scythe gives you a range of 18-20 as you said, but there's a Weapon Master ability that increases the range by another 2, for 16-20.

To the best of my knowledge the scariest crit range I can figure is a Weapon Master (S&F) with a few levels of ranger with the above mentioned ability/feats and favored critical (MotW). With the Ki Critical ability and the increased multiplier from the PrC, the character could end up with a critical range of 7-20 x3 (with a schimitar, falchion, rapier, kukri) against certain Favored enemies.

Favored Critical stacks with Improved Critical?

 

[drdevoid]

Wow am I showing my ignorance. I don't have OA, sorry about that.

As for Favored Critical, I don't have my MotW anymore. But I thought it stacked, unless it's more like Power Critical. If anybody has it, can they clarify. Does Favored Critical stack Improved Critical?

 

[Destil]

AS a DM I prefer a larger threat range with a lower multiplier. Fewer random PC deaths that way.

Though, as a player, I think my next char will be a gnome psy-warrior with a warpick.

 

[Agnostic Paladin]

Sir Hawkeye is right. 17-20 x2 does exactly the same average damage as 20 x4. (Assuming that a 17 hits) I did the math before the MM was released; until the roll needed to hit is higher than the bottom edge of the range, then crit range adds exactly the same amount as crit multiplier to average damage, regardless of the target's armor class. However, given that you'll sometimes be unable to make full use of the entire crit range (If I need a 19 to hit, that 17-20 x2 is effectively only 19-20 x2), high multipliers are more effective against really hard to hit opponents.

 

[Uruush]

I think I prefer a larger range to a larger multiplier for this simple reason that I didn't see above (skimming through). Larger multiplier will be a total waste more often, whereas a larger range is more consistantly useful. What's the benefit in doing 30+ damage to a goblin?