Weapon, Critical

How to Read Critical Ratings

This column in the Weapons tables uses a Pathfinder 1e / D&D 3.5e notation such as 19–20/×2. The first part is the range of natural d20 attack rolls that can threaten a critical hit; the second is the damage multiplier if that threat is confirmed. A natural 19 is not an automatic hit simply because it lies in the threat range. Do not use these multipliers as the critical-hit rule in fifth-edition D&D.

Legacy Critical-Rating Key

Pathfinder 1e

First resolve the attack normally. A natural 20 is an automatic hit and a critical threat; a lower result in a weapon’s threat range must still hit the target’s Armor Class. Then make a confirmation attack roll with the same attack modifiers. If it hits, use that weapon’s critical multiplier. Weapon damage and applicable ordinary damage bonuses are multiplied; separate precision damage and most extra damage dice, such as a flaming effect, are not.

D&D 3.5e

Critical threats also need a confirmation attack. Many weapons use ×2, but some use ×3 or ×4 and others threaten on 19–20 or 18–20. Apply the actual weapon’s threat range and multiplier, and exclude added damage dice that this edition says are not multiplied. The exact notation in the table is a legacy rule, not a fifth-edition rule.

D&D 2014 (5e)

A natural 20 on an attack roll is a critical hit without a confirmation roll. Roll all the attack’s damage dice twice, including any additional attack damage dice such as Sneak Attack, and add fixed damage modifiers only once. There is no ordinary weapon-table ×3 or ×4 multiplier to import from Pathfinder.

D&D 2024 (5.5e)

A natural 20 is likewise a critical hit without a legacy confirmation check. Roll the attack’s damage dice twice and add the relevant fixed modifiers normally. The 2024 Weapon Mastery property is separate from critical damage; it does not make a Pathfinder threat range or multiplier apply.

At the Table: One Longsword Hit

A character with a longsword that normally deals 1d8 + 3 damage rolls a natural 20. In Pathfinder 1e or D&D 3.5e, the player confirms the threat; on a successful confirmation, a ×2 critical deals (1d8 + 3) + (1d8 + 3). In D&D 2014 or 2024, the hit is already critical and instead deals 2d8 + 3. These examples deliberately exclude special abilities and extra damage dice; check each edition for those exceptions.

Rules Sources

D&D 2024 critical hits · D&D 2014 critical hits · Pathfinder 1e combat · D&D 3.5e critical hits. To compare base damage and size rules, use Weapon Damage; return to the Weapons directory for individual items.