Community

I would like to see injuries - persistent random conditions that are inflicted by critical hits and dropping to 0 or less hp (or maybe a failed death save).

One thing I really enjoy in Pathfinder is the critical hit deck. It's a deck of cards and when you score a critical hit, you draw one to see what happens. They could do something similar by having an optional rule with a random table of effects that you roll and see what happens when you crit, based on the type of attack you're using. They could even have it simplified by damage type (i.e., if you crit with a bludgeoning attack, the target is also knocked down, if you crit with a fire attack, the target ignites in flames and takes 1d6 fire damage per round until it makes a Dex save to put out the flames, etc).

I agree - I think it would be a wonderful optional supplement to add into the game at release!  

FallingIcicle, you mentioned the Pathfinder Crit Deck.  I have mixed feelings about this approach, as the results weren't always as descriptive as I would have liked - though I did appreciate the extra effects!  I did an house ruled a critical hit table based off the called shot results from the Ultimate Combat in my Pathfinder game that I DM'd awhile back and the players loved it (then again, most of us originated from Hackmaster 4e, which has some of the most well-balanced and extensive crit tables I've seen, imho)  Having a crit table, based off damage type (S/B/P or Fire, Ice, Radiant, etc.), with body locations and severity (anything from extra damage or bleeding, to broken bones, lost limbs, or even death) would be amazing for adding in those extra character details and a bit of realism, not to mention a great story to tell while sipping on ale in the inns/bars.

"So tell me again, Bob, how'd you get that nasty scar?  And that missing eye - now that would have hurt!"

May 24, 2012 -- 3:52PM, Lazenca wrote:

This idea came to me and I was wondering what other people thought.  Basically, I know Wizard of the Coast is trying to combine elements from the previous editions.  Personally, I'm not a fan of the max damage on a crit thing.  There's nothing wrong with it, I just feel that its a little anti-climatic as opposed to rolling double damage.  However, instead of just putting my vote in for that method why not reach into 4th edition a little bit.

What do people think of the idea that if you crit you get to choose from a list that allows you to do a special action.  Kind of like a power from 4th.  (A little bit of a stretch, I know.  lol)  And the special action could be determined by class, race, weapon type, a combination of those or just a general list.  I haven't come up with anything specific just yet, but I think it could have potential.

Like in Dragon Age RPG?
Yes, it would be grat!

But better than that it would be to have guides for build your own list as a group! Or as a DM if you're that way.
So you can say: "make the list thinking on race/class/weapon/fictional positioning/etcetera following these examples."

IMO the core game should have a simple crit mechanic or no crits. People sometimes fail to realize how crits and fumbles can "break" the game when a PC or monster has multiple attacks. I hope crits/fumbles are modular though.