What Doubles on a Crit 5e?
When it comes to critical hits in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, it’s essential to understand what exactly doubles on a crit. In this article, we’ll delve into the details and provide a comprehensive guide on what doubles on a crit 5e.
Main Rule
According to the official 5th Edition Player’s Handbook, when you land a critical hit, you double bonus damage dice. This means that if your attack involves bonus damage dice, such as class features like Sneak Attack or Divine Smite, those dice are rolled twice and added together.
Examples
- Sneak Attack: If you’re a rogue with the Sneak Attack feature, and you roll a d6 for bonus damage, you would roll the d6 twice and add the results together.
- Divine Smite: If you’re a cleric with the Divine Smite feature, and you roll a d8 for bonus damage, you would roll the d8 twice and add the results together.
Do You Add Modifiers Twice?
One common misconception is that you add the modifier twice when doubling bonus damage dice. However, the official rule is clear: you roll the dice twice and add the results together, without adding the modifier twice.
Do Crits Double Strength Damage?
Another common question is whether crits double Strength damage. The answer is no. Strength damage is not doubled on a crit. Only bonus damage dice, such as class features, are doubled.
Savage Attacks
Some players may wonder if Savage Attacks double on a crit. The answer is no. Savage Attacks do not double on a crit. The damage is simply increased by the crit damage multiplier.
Crit Rate vs. Crit Damage
When it comes to optimizing your character’s damage output, it’s essential to understand the difference between crit rate and crit damage. Crit rate refers to the percentage chance of landing a critical hit, while crit damage refers to the multiplier applied to the damage when you land a crit.
- Crit Rate: This is the percentage chance of landing a critical hit. A higher crit rate means you’re more likely to land a crit.
- Crit Damage: This is the multiplier applied to the damage when you land a crit. A higher crit damage multiplier means you’ll deal more damage on a crit.
When to Prioritize Crit Rate vs. Crit Damage
So, when should you prioritize crit rate over crit damage, and vice versa? Here are some general guidelines:
- Crit Rate: Prioritize crit rate if you have a low crit rate and want to increase your chances of landing a crit. Crit rate is more important if you’re dealing with low damage output.
- Crit Damage: Prioritize crit damage if you already have a high crit rate and want to increase the damage output on a crit. Crit damage is more important if you’re already dealing with high damage output.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to critical hits in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, it’s essential to understand what doubles on a crit. Bonus damage dice, such as class features, double on a crit, while Strength damage does not. Crit rate and crit damage are both important, but prioritize crit rate if you have a low crit rate and crit damage if you already have a high crit rate. By understanding these rules, you can optimize your character’s damage output and become a more effective combatant.
Table: What Doubles on a Crit 5e?
| Feature | Doubles on a Crit? |
|---|---|
| Bonus Damage Dice (e.g. Sneak Attack, Divine Smite) | Yes |
| Strength Damage | No |
| Savage Attacks | No |
| Crit Rate | No |
| Crit Damage | No |
Additional Resources
- Official 5th Edition Player’s Handbook: For more information on critical hits and bonus damage dice.
- D&D 5e Rules Compendium: A comprehensive resource for all official 5th Edition rules.
- D&D 5e Subreddit: A community-driven forum for discussing all things D&D 5e.