3.0 best Critical Threat range [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.0 best Critical Threat range [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Potlok
02-18-06, 05:11 PM I've been a few days looking for threads with the better critical threat range for 3.0, and I recall seeing like 3-20x2 or 7-20x2, I'm not sure right now. If anyone can link me to a thread about this matter I would really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

Pot
Kresalak
02-18-06, 05:17 PM I can get 9-20 in 3.5 if I use the BoVD. I think that getting any lower requires the 3.0 Weapon Master, which I don't have access to.

The Iron Power ability of the Disciple of Dispater doubles, and then triples the threat range of iron and steel weapons. It states that it stacks with Improved Critical but not with keen.

18-20 Scimitar.
Improved Critical: 15-20.
Iron Power 1: 12-20.
Iron Power 2: 9-20.

DoD is also a full BAB class with all good saves.

I am sure there are ways to get better then 9-20, but not with the books I have.
NoldorForce
02-18-06, 05:21 PM Define "best critical threat range". Is this based solely on making the X in X-20 critical range smallest, or the multipliers as well? I'd seen someone manage something like 9-20/x4, which is arguably better than 3-20/x2. It was somewhere on Twinkin' Out (a now dead column on 8-Bit Theater).
Potlok
02-18-06, 05:26 PM Well, I'm looking for the best, best being wider range 3-20 for example.

Pot
Lilt
02-18-06, 05:32 PM On an optimisation note, you'd probably be better-off with a better critical multiplier than an insane range. This is because you'll be missing-out on a lot of crit potential when you only hit on the roll of a 10 or more, for example.

15-20/x4 is gonna result in much better damage than 3-20/x2 unless you manage to make your attack bonus astronomical or use one of a few crit-based weapon enhancements that don't increase with multiplier.
Hanniball
02-18-06, 05:40 PM The best I could acheive back in 3.0 was utilizing the Bladed Gauntlet (pre-eratta crit range 17-20)

Make it Keen, get Improved Critical:bladed gauntlet and get some levels in Weapon Master (Sword & Fist). That nets you 7-20/x2. Adding in the Disciple of Dispater could lower that a bit...

Either way...just my 0.02 cp
catfan
02-19-06, 04:29 AM 3.0 Monster Manual 2 version of Nimblewright. Its twin rapier attacks are improved via augmented critical to a 12-20 threat range, NOT through improved critical or keen edge, so both would stack with it (again, under 3.0 rules...). Take Improved Critical (Rapier Hand), and enhance them both with Keen, and you threat from *negative* 6 to 20 (in other words, every attack is a threat). If you only have Improved Crit or Keen, then your threat range is only 3-20.

You would need to either start as a Nimblewright or become one in some fashion, though.

If I recall correctly, under 3.0 rules, the Vorpal weapon ability chopped off heads on confirmed critical hits... not only on critical threats from a natural 20. Vorpal might also have allowed piercing weapons at the time, so it might be worth looking into.
tiejaz
02-24-06, 08:48 PM if you're allowing 3rd party books, a 10th level Marksman from Bastion Press' Torn Asunder can get 5-20/x4 and a bunch of wicked powers with a chainblade, a reach weapon.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Potlok 02-18-06, 05:11 PM	I've been a few days looking for threads with the better critical threat range for 3.0, and I recall seeing like 3-20x2 or 7-20x2, I'm not sure right now. If anyone can link me to a thread about this matter I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance Pot
Kresalak 02-18-06, 05:17 PM	I can get 9-20 in 3.5 if I use the BoVD. I think that getting any lower requires the 3.0 Weapon Master, which I don't have access to. The Iron Power ability of the Disciple of Dispater doubles, and then triples the threat range of iron and steel weapons. It states that it stacks with Improved Critical but not with keen. 18-20 Scimitar. Improved Critical: 15-20. Iron Power 1: 12-20. Iron Power 2: 9-20. DoD is also a full BAB class with all good saves. I am sure there are ways to get better then 9-20, but not with the books I have.
NoldorForce 02-18-06, 05:21 PM	Define "best critical threat range". Is this based solely on making the X in X-20 critical range smallest, or the multipliers as well? I'd seen someone manage something like 9-20/x4, which is arguably better than 3-20/x2. It was somewhere on Twinkin' Out (a now dead column on 8-Bit Theater).
Potlok 02-18-06, 05:26 PM	Well, I'm looking for the best, best being wider range 3-20 for example. Pot
Lilt 02-18-06, 05:32 PM	On an optimisation note, you'd probably be better-off with a better critical multiplier than an insane range. This is because you'll be missing-out on a lot of crit potential when you only hit on the roll of a 10 or more, for example. 15-20/x4 is gonna result in much better damage than 3-20/x2 unless you manage to make your attack bonus astronomical or use one of a few crit-based weapon enhancements that don't increase with multiplier.
Hanniball 02-18-06, 05:40 PM	The best I could acheive back in 3.0 was utilizing the Bladed Gauntlet (pre-eratta crit range 17-20) Make it Keen, get Improved Critical:bladed gauntlet and get some levels in Weapon Master (Sword & Fist). That nets you 7-20/x2. Adding in the Disciple of Dispater could lower that a bit... Either way...just my 0.02 cp
catfan 02-19-06, 04:29 AM	3.0 Monster Manual 2 version of Nimblewright. Its twin rapier attacks are improved via augmented critical to a 12-20 threat range, NOT through improved critical or keen edge, so both would stack with it (again, under 3.0 rules...). Take Improved Critical (Rapier Hand), and enhance them both with Keen, and you threat from negative 6 to 20 (in other words, every attack is a threat). If you only have Improved Crit or Keen, then your threat range is only 3-20. You would need to either start as a Nimblewright or become one in some fashion, though. If I recall correctly, under 3.0 rules, the Vorpal weapon ability chopped off heads on confirmed critical hits... not only on critical threats from a natural 20. Vorpal might also have allowed piercing weapons at the time, so it might be worth looking into.
tiejaz 02-24-06, 08:48 PM	if you're allowing 3rd party books, a 10th level Marksman from Bastion Press' Torn Asunder can get 5-20/x4 and a bunch of wicked powers with a chainblade, a reach weapon.