I've kind of liked the idea of fumble tables, and have had a few DMs use additional effects on nat 1s. But Kobold (Pack Tactics You Tuber) just put out a video making some good points I hadn't considered. Primarily the martial/caster divide. Martial characters always use attack rolls, and eventually get multiple attacks. Casters are able to use saving throw spells to avoid nat 1s entirely.
Do people like the use of fumble (and crit) tables? Are there ways to address the flaws around martials vs casters? What about tables vs DM discretion (I've had one DM who applied mild to moderate effects situationally)
I used to use crit fumbles, but I agree with Kobold. They're generally not very fun and are easily bypassed by casters. I do, however, occasionally have monsters crit fumble on a 1, especially when the players are in dire situations and need a little help to avoid a TPK. In my last session, my players where fighting a duo of Carrion Crawlers, and one of the Crawlers rolled a 1 on a Bite attack, so I described it lunging forward to attack but smashing its face into the stone wall, taking 1d4 bludgeoning damage.
I've kind of liked the idea of fumble tables, and have had a few DMs use additional effects on nat 1s. But Kobold (Pack Tactics You Tuber) just put out a video making some good points I hadn't considered. Primarily the martial/caster divide. Martial characters always use attack rolls, and eventually get multiple attacks. Casters are able to use saving throw spells to avoid nat 1s entirely.
Do people like the use of fumble (and crit) tables? Are there ways to address the flaws around martials vs casters? What about tables vs DM discretion (I've had one DM who applied mild to moderate effects situationally)
I used to use crit fumbles, but I agree with Kobold. They're generally not very fun and are easily bypassed by casters. I do, however, occasionally have monsters crit fumble on a 1, especially when the players are in dire situations and need a little help to avoid a TPK. In my last session, my players where fighting a duo of Carrion Crawlers, and one of the Crawlers rolled a 1 on a Bite attack, so I described it lunging forward to attack but smashing its face into the stone wall, taking 1d4 bludgeoning damage.
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