What is the Critical Hit Rule in 5e?
In the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition (5e), a critical hit is a significant bonus that can greatly impact the outcome of combat. A critical hit is defined as a roll of a 20 on an attack roll, which results in double the damage of the weapon or unarmed strike used.
What Happens When a Critical Hit is Scored?
When a critical hit is scored, the attack deals additional damage, which is determined by doubling the damage of the weapon or unarmed strike used. For example, if a fighter attacks an enemy with a longsword, which deals 2d6 damage, and scores a critical hit, the attack would deal 2d6 x 2 = 4d6 damage.
Critical Hit and Armor Class (AC)
In 5e, critical hits can bypass armor class (AC) to some extent. Although the combat message may indicate that the armor was "bypassed," critical hits rarely fully bypass the target’s AC. This means that even if a critical hit is scored, the attacker may still need to deal with the target’s armor class to determine the total damage dealt.
Ways to Increase the Chance of a Critical Hit
There are several ways to increase the chance of a critical hit in 5e:
• Rogue Assassin: Rogues with the Assassin archetype gain a bonus to their critical hit chance when attacking surprised creatures.
• Champion Fighter: Fighters with the Champion archetype gain a bonus to their critical hit chance when attacking.
• Divination Wizard: Wizards with the Divination school of magic can roll a 20 during a rest and spend it on themselves or an ally for a critical hit.
Critical Hit and Damage Calculation
The damage calculation for a critical hit is simple: the attacker rolls the damage dice for the weapon or unarmed strike used, and then doubles the result. The critical hit does not increase the damage roll itself, but rather multiplies the result.
Examples of Critical Hits
Here are a few examples of critical hits in 5e:
| Weapon/Unarmed Strike | Damage Dice | Critical Hit Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Longsword | 2d6 | 4d6 |
| Rapier | 1d8 | 2d8 |
| Unarmed Strike | 1d4 | 2d4 |
Conclusion
In summary, the critical hit rule in 5e is a powerful mechanic that can greatly impact the outcome of combat. A critical hit is defined as a roll of a 20 on an attack roll, which results in double the damage of the weapon or unarmed strike used. There are several ways to increase the chance of a critical hit, and the damage calculation is simple: the attacker rolls the damage dice, and then doubles the result.