Critical Smite [Archive] - Wizards Community

Critical Smite [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sabelo2000
11-14-05, 11:26 PM I'd Search for this answer, but of course the Search function doesn't work...

When a Paladin deals a critical hit with a Smite attack, is the Smite damage multiplied (as is Strength and magic bonuses), or is it a separate damage category that is NOT multiplied (as is Sneak Attack damage or Frost Brand damage)?

I've been letting our party's Paladin deal critical smites, but it seems broken as critical Smiting, say, a nightmare, will pretty much drop it if dealt by a Paladin of equivalent level.
Tristan
11-14-05, 11:33 PM consider the fact that he can only do it against an evil creature, and the rarity of critical hits opposed to the few number of smite attempts per day. If he gets a smite combined with a smite evil, well, thats movieepic tale material right there.

I belive that critical hits multiply all damage that is not circumstancial (or circumstancial dice)

for instance, sneak attack dice, or a Stone fist, or flaming weapon does not multiply on critical hits. thats because its added damage based on a different situation. a smite evil is simply adding more power behind the punch. I think yours supposed to think of it as a goody+ on str

not 100% postive, of course, cus only a fool is more than 99% positive
Waterhammer
11-14-05, 11:46 PM PG. 140 PHB on critical hits states that extra Dmg is not multiplied. Seems that this would apply to paladins as well as rogues and other types.
Bob Loblaw
11-14-05, 11:59 PM Instead of looking at it a multiplying the damage, look at it as rolling damage that many times. I know they are essentially the same, but you actually have to roll each time anyway. So, here it is from the SRD (the underlined part is the key):

Multiplying Damage: Sometimes you multiply damage by some factor, such as on a critical hit. Roll the damage (with all modifiers) multiple times and total the results. Note: When you multiply damage more than once, each multiplier works off the original, unmultiplied damage.
Exception: Extra damage dice over and above a weapon’s normal damage are never multiplied.

So, yes you definately would add the extra damage to each roll you make. You would not, however, add in any extra damage dice such as that from a holy weapon.
LaoKhanWei
11-15-05, 12:12 AM Doesn't he have a potential 25% chance to score a critical?
Bladenite78
11-15-05, 12:14 AM pg 140 states that extra dmg such as Flaming quality or sneak attack is not multiplied..thats extra dice damage added to the weapon..not bonus damage which is says to multiply. Smite Evil is not extra dice damage, its a bonus added to the weapon damage.
Waterhammer
11-15-05, 12:17 AM Live&learn.
Sabelo2000
11-15-05, 12:32 AM Thanks, it's good to know that, even though evil creatures go down hard to this Paladin, that I've been running this campaign right.

On a different note, LaoKhanWei, how do you figure 25% chance of critical? FYI, he's swinging a Bastard Sword with no feats.
syntaxerror37
11-15-05, 12:40 AM Live&learn.

Live and Learn is right...I've always mutiplyed the extra damage die (flaming, electric whatever) into the crit, I thought it was only efects like sneak attack and such that were exempt. I guess I missed reading that part. To be fair though, the npcs were doing it to. Good thing I looked into this thread.
LaoKhanWei
11-15-05, 01:26 AM I'm just saying he could have it ;)
Armoracia Rusticana
11-15-05, 04:35 AM Instead of waiting for a crit (smite damage x 3) just use spirited-charge-with-a-lance to deliver smite damage x 3 with a successfull hit. As you get +2 attack from charging and say +3 (at least!!) from your charisma modifier, you will hardly miss with a charge ever.
WombleHunter
11-15-05, 10:18 AM Instead of waiting for a crit (smite damage x 3) just use spirited-charge-with-a-lance to deliver smite damage x 3 with a successfull hit. As you get +2 attack from charging and say +3 (at least!!) from your charisma modifier, you will hardly miss with a charge ever.
Nonsense. The Law of Smiting clearly states that whenever you put a limited-use attack booster on a dramatically important attack, you will miss.

;)
Wiglaf
11-15-05, 11:47 AM Nonsense. The Law of Smiting clearly states that whenever you put a limited-use attack booster on a dramatically important attack, you will miss.

;)

Confirmed!!! :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sabelo2000 11-14-05, 11:26 PM	I'd Search for this answer, but of course the Search function doesn't work... When a Paladin deals a critical hit with a Smite attack, is the Smite damage multiplied (as is Strength and magic bonuses), or is it a separate damage category that is NOT multiplied (as is Sneak Attack damage or Frost Brand damage)? I've been letting our party's Paladin deal critical smites, but it seems broken as critical Smiting, say, a nightmare, will pretty much drop it if dealt by a Paladin of equivalent level.
Tristan 11-14-05, 11:33 PM	consider the fact that he can only do it against an evil creature, and the rarity of critical hits opposed to the few number of smite attempts per day. If he gets a smite combined with a smite evil, well, thats movieepic tale material right there. I belive that critical hits multiply all damage that is not circumstancial (or circumstancial dice) for instance, sneak attack dice, or a Stone fist, or flaming weapon does not multiply on critical hits. thats because its added damage based on a different situation. a smite evil is simply adding more power behind the punch. I think yours supposed to think of it as a goody+ on str not 100% postive, of course, cus only a fool is more than 99% positive
Waterhammer 11-14-05, 11:46 PM	PG. 140 PHB on critical hits states that extra Dmg is not multiplied. Seems that this would apply to paladins as well as rogues and other types.
Bob Loblaw 11-14-05, 11:59 PM	Instead of looking at it a multiplying the damage, look at it as rolling damage that many times. I know they are essentially the same, but you actually have to roll each time anyway. So, here it is from the SRD (the underlined part is the key): Multiplying Damage: Sometimes you multiply damage by some factor, such as on a critical hit. Roll the damage (with all modifiers) multiple times and total the results. Note: When you multiply damage more than once, each multiplier works off the original, unmultiplied damage. Exception: Extra damage dice over and above a weapon’s normal damage are never multiplied. So, yes you definately would add the extra damage to each roll you make. You would not, however, add in any extra damage dice such as that from a holy weapon.
LaoKhanWei 11-15-05, 12:12 AM	Doesn't he have a potential 25% chance to score a critical?
Bladenite78 11-15-05, 12:14 AM	pg 140 states that extra dmg such as Flaming quality or sneak attack is not multiplied..thats extra dice damage added to the weapon..not bonus damage which is says to multiply. Smite Evil is not extra dice damage, its a bonus added to the weapon damage.
Waterhammer 11-15-05, 12:17 AM	Live&learn.
Sabelo2000 11-15-05, 12:32 AM	Thanks, it's good to know that, even though evil creatures go down hard to this Paladin, that I've been running this campaign right. On a different note, LaoKhanWei, how do you figure 25% chance of critical? FYI, he's swinging a Bastard Sword with no feats.
syntaxerror37 11-15-05, 12:40 AM	Live&learn. Live and Learn is right...I've always mutiplyed the extra damage die (flaming, electric whatever) into the crit, I thought it was only efects like sneak attack and such that were exempt. I guess I missed reading that part. To be fair though, the npcs were doing it to. Good thing I looked into this thread.
LaoKhanWei 11-15-05, 01:26 AM	I'm just saying he could have it ;)
Armoracia Rusticana 11-15-05, 04:35 AM	Instead of waiting for a crit (smite damage x 3) just use spirited-charge-with-a-lance to deliver smite damage x 3 with a successfull hit. As you get +2 attack from charging and say +3 (at least!!) from your charisma modifier, you will hardly miss with a charge ever.
WombleHunter 11-15-05, 10:18 AM	Instead of waiting for a crit (smite damage x 3) just use spirited-charge-with-a-lance to deliver smite damage x 3 with a successfull hit. As you get +2 attack from charging and say +3 (at least!!) from your charisma modifier, you will hardly miss with a charge ever. Nonsense. The Law of Smiting clearly states that whenever you put a limited-use attack booster on a dramatically important attack, you will miss. ;)
Wiglaf 11-15-05, 11:47 AM	Nonsense. The Law of Smiting clearly states that whenever you put a limited-use attack booster on a dramatically important attack, you will miss. ;) Confirmed!!! :D