Fairly new to 5e and having some trouble digesting all the info. I read somewhere (in the heaps I've read) that some spells, particularly direct attack spells require a 'To Hit' roll. Is this correct? Further. We were discussing in game today that a spell can hit as per a Crit Hit on roll 20. again, can't find anything to confirm or deny. Having said that, I do recall seeing something that said a spell crit does maximum hit dice damage, as opposed to double damage (ie twice the usual hit die damage). A few contradictory statements in there, but as I said, I'm fairly new to 5e and am digesting a lot fo info. Any firm suggestions, particularly with references to PHB or DMG?
Any attack roll can score a critical hit. Whenever you get stuck trying to understand a rule, it's very often helpful to zoom out a bit and look at the surrounding context:
Making An Attack: "Whether you're striking with a melee weapon, firing a weapon at range, or making an attack roll as part of a spell, an attack has a simple structure."
Attack Rolls: "To make an attack roll, roll a d20 and add the appropriate modifiers. If the total of the roll plus modifiers equals or exceeds the target's Armor Class (AC), the attack hits."
Modifiers to the Roll
Ability Modifier: "The ability modifier used for a melee weapon attack is Strength, and the ability modifier used for a ranged weapon attack is Dexterity...The ability modifier used for a spell attack depends on the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster, as explained in chapter 10."
Proficiency Bonus: "You add your proficiency bonus to your attack roll when you attack using a weapon with which you have proficiency, as well as when you attack with a spell."
Rolling a 1 or 20
Emphasis mine. The section Making An Attack covers the general rules for attacks of all types and is clearly including spells. The Attack Rolls section is nested inside Making An Attack and just elaborates on that part of the attack process; this section is also clearly universal to all attacks. Rolling a 1 or 20 is then nested inside both of these sections alongside another section (Modifiers to the Roll) that explicitly applies to spells.
Anything that crits, roll twice as many dice, modifiers stay the same. So if you normally roll 2d6+5 damage, a crit is 4d6+5.
For secondary effects that add damage, if they automatically hit (sneak attack, smite, flame tongue, etc) the dice are also doubled. If they have their own associated roll (poison, ice knife, etc) the dice are not doubled.
For secondary effects that add damage, if they automatically hit (sneak attack, smite, flame tongue, etc) the dice are also doubled. If they have their own associated roll (poison, ice knife, etc) the dice are not doubled.
To clarify, this applies to secondary effects adding to the damage delivered by the initial attack roll; not to automatic damage on subsequent rounds, nor damage which might be inflicted based on a saving throw as part of the initial attack (I'm sure there's a spell which has a roll to hit for basic damage as well as a saving throw to avoid an extra amount of damage, probably of a different type.)
For secondary effects that add damage, if they automatically hit (sneak attack, smite, flame tongue, etc) the dice are also doubled. If they have their own associated roll (poison, ice knife, etc) the dice are not doubled.
To clarify, this applies to secondary effects adding to the damage delivered by the initial attack roll; not to automatic damage on subsequent rounds, nor damage which might be inflicted based on a saving throw as part of the initial attack (I'm sure there's a spell which has a roll to hit for basic damage as well as a saving throw to avoid an extra amount of damage, probably of a different type.)
The spell you're looking for is ice knife, but yes, automatic damage on subsequent rounds is also not doubled.
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Fairly new to 5e and having some trouble digesting all the info. I read somewhere (in the heaps I've read) that some spells, particularly direct attack spells require a 'To Hit' roll. Is this correct? Further. We were discussing in game today that a spell can hit as per a Crit Hit on roll 20. again, can't find anything to confirm or deny. Having said that, I do recall seeing something that said a spell crit does maximum hit dice damage, as opposed to double damage (ie twice the usual hit die damage). A few contradictory statements in there, but as I said, I'm fairly new to 5e and am digesting a lot fo info. Any firm suggestions, particularly with references to PHB or DMG?
Yes,spells that say they require an attack roll,require an attack roll.
All attack rolls are capable of criting.
That's the short version?
Yes,honestly not sure How I could make it longer.
Any attack roll can score a critical hit. Whenever you get stuck trying to understand a rule, it's very often helpful to zoom out a bit and look at the surrounding context:
Emphasis mine. The section Making An Attack covers the general rules for attacks of all types and is clearly including spells. The Attack Rolls section is nested inside Making An Attack and just elaborates on that part of the attack process; this section is also clearly universal to all attacks. Rolling a 1 or 20 is then nested inside both of these sections alongside another section (Modifiers to the Roll) that explicitly applies to spells.
The Forum Infestation (TM)
Many thanks, this is the explanation I'm looking for.
Anything with an attack roll can crit.
Anything that crits, roll twice as many dice, modifiers stay the same. So if you normally roll 2d6+5 damage, a crit is 4d6+5.
For secondary effects that add damage, if they automatically hit (sneak attack, smite, flame tongue, etc) the dice are also doubled. If they have their own associated roll (poison, ice knife, etc) the dice are not doubled.
To clarify, this applies to secondary effects adding to the damage delivered by the initial attack roll; not to automatic damage on subsequent rounds, nor damage which might be inflicted based on a saving throw as part of the initial attack (I'm sure there's a spell which has a roll to hit for basic damage as well as a saving throw to avoid an extra amount of damage, probably of a different type.)
The spell you're looking for is ice knife, but yes, automatic damage on subsequent rounds is also not doubled.