Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FrostHammer 02-22-07, 02:47 PM	Can spells that do damage deal a critical hit? Spells that require attack rolls like Shocking grasp or Scorching Ray or Orb of Force.
Toloran 02-22-07, 02:49 PM	Can spells that do damage deal a critical hit? Spells that require attack rolls like Shocking grasp or Scorching Ray or Orb of Force. Any spell that requires an attack roll and deals numerical effects (ie, HP damage, ability damage, or ability drain) can crit. This was clarified in Complete Arcane (if you need a hard reference).
Kadasbrass 02-22-07, 02:51 PM	Spells that have attack roles can also be used with sneak attack.
FrostHammer 02-22-07, 02:56 PM	But what is the crit range and crit modifiers? I guess I'll go check out CArcane...
Sunblast 02-22-07, 02:57 PM	I'm pretty sure it's just x2. You need a natural 20 to threaten, and it's x2 damage if you confirm it.
FrostHammer 02-22-07, 02:59 PM	I wonder...can I take Weapon focus (ranged spells) and Improved Crit and Power Crit of same?
starmitehokie 02-22-07, 03:20 PM	I wonder...can I take Weapon focus (ranged spells) and Improved Crit and Power Crit of same? I am under the impression that yes, you can take improved critical, but you have to select a type of spell, such as ray or line. I am pulling this from my memory of Tome and Blood, which may have been updated for 3.5, but I'm not positive.
Cifer 02-22-07, 03:29 PM	I am under the impression that yes, you can take improved critical, but you have to select a type of spell, such as ray or line. Lines don't do attack rolls, but reflex saves, so they're out anyway. From CA: Yes, it is possible to take Improved Crit, though you have to specify whether you take it for melee touch spells or ranged spells. Weapon Focus is also possible. And as others have said, spells generally work at 20/*2
holylink718 02-22-07, 04:53 PM	I wonder...can I take Weapon focus (ranged spells) and Improved Crit and Power Crit of same? yes, you can. not wpn focus (ray), but wpn focus (ranged spell). or whatever (ranged spell).
GSonic7 02-22-07, 11:31 PM	Actually, page 72-73 in Complete Arcane say that you can take Weapon Focus (Ranged Spells) or (Touch Spell), along with several other feats.
runestar 02-22-07, 11:40 PM	Power crit's wording is a tad odd, but I think it can be taken with ray spells. A bit of a waste though, since touch attacks are usually the easiest to confirm.:)
Amon_WinterfallIV 02-23-07, 02:02 AM	Oh yeah--and are they ever awesome. Current record is the party mage double-critting a heavily armored fighter, one-shotting him. I've always ruled that anyone without firm weapon stats is 20/x2, and I believe that's what the official rules say. I've also heard that Weapon Focus (ray) was legitimate, so a ray type of spell would be fair for other combat feats.
draco1119 02-23-07, 03:37 AM	Actually, page 72-73 in Complete Arcane say that you can take Weapon Focus (Ranged Spells) or (Touch Spell), along with several other feats. I've also heard that Weapon Focus (ray) was legitimate, so a ray type of spell would be fair for other combat feats. According to CA, your choices are Weapon Focus (Ranged Touch Spells) or Weapon Focus (Melee Touch Spells). I believe CM has archetypes which actually suggest using things like Improved Crit (Ranged Touch Spells), etc.
Toloran 02-23-07, 12:04 PM	Just some clarification: CA brings up the concept of something called "Weapon-like spells", ie any spell that requries an attack roll (either melee or ranged). Weapon-like spells qualify for most of the feats weapons do. So point blank shot, precise shot, weapon focus, weapon specialization, improved critical, etc.