TOPIC: Critical damage

On a critical, is all damage doubled, or just weapon damage? I had always thought it was total damage - i.e., (weapon damage + bonus damage) * 2. But I had a DM at PAX only apply the doubling to my weapon damage. Later on, I asked an AC about it (not that it was a big deal, but I was curious), and the answer I got was that the rule on crits was ambiguous. I checked the PHB, and it says:

"If a player slides a natural 20 (not when a monster rolls a natural 20), the damage inflicted is doubled."

That seems to support my interpretation?

I don't care much either way, but I think it could be clarified, and make sure the DMs apply the rule consistently.

Totally not a big deal though. (Difference was 45 + 15 * 2 = 75 vs (45 + 15) * 2 = 120 hah!)

You are correct; it is weapon damage plus bonus damage that is doubled. Bardsong damage bonus is also doubled.

What isn't doubled, ignoring certain special token effects, is the Rogue sneak attack bonus damage.

Braxton wrote: On a critical, is all damage doubled, or just weapon damage?

all (see below) damage gets doubled

Braxton wrote: I checked the PHB, and it says:
"If a player slides a natural 20 (not when a monster rolls a natural 20), the damage inflicted is doubled."

You may have stopped reading too soon:
If a player slides a natural 20 (not when a monster rolls a natural 20), the damage inflicted is doubled. Other than sneak attack damage (see note below), any and all forms of additional damage, as well as "vulnerable" damage (e.g., Cold vs. red dragon) is also doubled on a natural 20. If a spell can crit (Ring of Wizardry), the same principle applies.

Note: The only time sneak attack damage is doubled is when the rogue attacks with Nightshade's +2 Short Sword or one of the Viper Strike fangs in conjunction with the Viper Strike set bonus.

The DMG has almost the exact same wording.

Do you feel "Other than sneak attack damage, any and all forms of additional damage" is ambiguous? If so, how would you reword it to remove that ambiguity?

Well, I didn't think it was *that* ambiguous, but whoever I was chatting to told me that. Again, not a huge deal, it was just on my list of things to follow up on after PAX South.

Braxton,

Please PM me the name of the AC that said the rule on crit damage was ambiguous. Do not publicly post their name. If you don't know their name, please describe them to the best of your recollection, including the day, time, and location (dungeon) of your interaction.

Fear not, nobody is going to get in trouble. We just need to correct their misconception.

Thanks