So recently I acquired the longsword of sharpness in our campaign, and I'm a bit unsure how it works, it says that "When you attack a creature with this weapon and roll a 20 on the attack roll, that target takes an extra 14 slashing damage". Does this include modifiers like the an increase to hit chance or is it only nat 20's?
It's kind of interesting since this doesn't just flatly apply to critical hits... So I'd you're a champion fighter or a hexblade the extra damage is still stuck behind rolling a 20, specifically.
It's kind of interesting since this doesn't just flatly apply to critical hits... So I'd you're a champion fighter or a hexblade the extra damage is still stuck behind rolling a 20, specifically.
There is quite a few items (like the Vorpal Sword) that work that way. I've always assumed that it was some intentional balance.
Abuses were found in earlier editions. People designed abilities to work on a crit but they were expecting a crit only on a 20. Other people built things to make you crit much easier, so something that was supposed to be very became very common.
Note, advantage and triple advantage still help out with a natural 20.
Forget the Longsword of Sharpness. Consider owning two Scimitar of Sharpness (only legal finessable weapon of sharpness). Now be an Elf Fighter (Cavelier) with Elven Accuracy, Mounted Combat, and Duel Wielding Feat, riding an elephant. You have advantage against any creature smaller than your Huge Elephant, and when you have advantage you effectively roll 3 d 20. Three chances to get a natural 20 per attack. At 20th level you get 4 normal attacks, plus an extra attack from your off hand weapon. That is Five attacks, each rolling 3d20, or 18 chances to get a natural 20. Most rounds you will manage to cut off someone's arm.
Everything above is legal, but I consider it OP. Personally I house rule that when you are on a mount that is 2 sizes larger than you (i.e. the elephant), you are required to use a weapon with reach in order to attack anyone. No using a dagger while on an Elephant against a halfing on the ground.
Sure, but you are talking 20th level, everything is overpowered.
A Zealot Barbarian does similar damage with just Great Weapon Master and a mundane Great Axe. Literally any Fighter with Great Weapon Master and a mundane Greatsword does better damage.
Sword of Sharpness is fun and it makes nat 20s extra crunchy, but I wouldn't plan a build around it. Rather, you are better off planning your build as normal and then enjoying that extra damage when it happens.
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So recently I acquired the longsword of sharpness in our campaign, and I'm a bit unsure how it works, it says that "When you attack a creature with this weapon and roll a 20 on the attack roll, that target takes an extra 14 slashing damage". Does this include modifiers like the an increase to hit chance or is it only nat 20's?
Thanks in advance
Jtiley
It is referring to the die roll specifically.
So yes when you basically roll a flat 20 on the d20 dice roll it adds that additional damage.
It's kind of interesting since this doesn't just flatly apply to critical hits... So I'd you're a champion fighter or a hexblade the extra damage is still stuck behind rolling a 20, specifically.
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There is quite a few items (like the Vorpal Sword) that work that way. I've always assumed that it was some intentional balance.
It was intentionally designed to not be crit fishing friendly by relying on nat 20 rather than critical hit.
Abuses were found in earlier editions. People designed abilities to work on a crit but they were expecting a crit only on a 20. Other people built things to make you crit much easier, so something that was supposed to be very became very common.
Note, advantage and triple advantage still help out with a natural 20.
Forget the Longsword of Sharpness. Consider owning two Scimitar of Sharpness (only legal finessable weapon of sharpness). Now be an Elf Fighter (Cavelier) with Elven Accuracy, Mounted Combat, and Duel Wielding Feat, riding an elephant. You have advantage against any creature smaller than your Huge Elephant, and when you have advantage you effectively roll 3 d 20. Three chances to get a natural 20 per attack. At 20th level you get 4 normal attacks, plus an extra attack from your off hand weapon. That is Five attacks, each rolling 3d20, or 18 chances to get a natural 20. Most rounds you will manage to cut off someone's arm.
Everything above is legal, but I consider it OP. Personally I house rule that when you are on a mount that is 2 sizes larger than you (i.e. the elephant), you are required to use a weapon with reach in order to attack anyone. No using a dagger while on an Elephant against a halfing on the ground.
Sure, but you are talking 20th level, everything is overpowered.
A Zealot Barbarian does similar damage with just Great Weapon Master and a mundane Great Axe. Literally any Fighter with Great Weapon Master and a mundane Greatsword does better damage.
Sword of Sharpness is fun and it makes nat 20s extra crunchy, but I wouldn't plan a build around it. Rather, you are better off planning your build as normal and then enjoying that extra damage when it happens.