Natural 20's and 1's
- Note that critical hits and misses apply to both player characters and monsters alike.
Natural 20
On a roll of a natural 20, the attacking character will:
- Be awarded 20 experience points
- Roll a second damage die, which is handled as follows:
- Fighters total the two damage dice
- All non-Fighters (including monsters and NPCs) take the most beneficial of the two damage dice.
(Note: In the event of "friendly fire," and PCs accidentally injuring another PC, the "most beneficial" (e.g. lower) damage result will still be used.... except for Fighters, who will use the "least beneficial" of the two damage rolls.)
(Added: Thursday, May 4, 2017; per this discussion.)
Natural 1
Melee Attacks
In melee, a roll of a natural 1 will allow the target of the missed attack a single free counter-attack, typically with their primary weapon. In all cases, logic will dictate the situation. This free attack is in addition to any attacks the counter attacker may have (or have had) that round.
For example, a single orc is actively engaged in melee with two PCs. If PC #1 is attacking the orc and rolls a natural 1, the orc will get a single free attack against PC #1. If PC #2 rolls a natural 1 when attempting to hit the orc, the orc will get a free attack against PC #2. If the orc rolls a natural 1, whichever PC the orc was targeting with the missed attack will get a single free attack against the orc (not both PCs).
Ranged Attacks
If you shoot or throw a ranged weapon at a target engaged in melee with a friendly character and roll a natural 1, there is a 50% chance (1-3, d6) that the shot will target the friend. The
DM will roll to determine the target and, if the friend, the
DM will also make another to-hit, using the same modifiers of the attacking character, to see if the friend is hit and takes damage.
The damage from friendly fire will be the damage rolled by the player, if provided. If not, the DM will roll for damage. Similarly, in the event of a critical hit in a friendly fire situation, the DM will roll for any missing damage (e.g. if the player provides regular and critical damage, both those results will be used; if only normal damage, the DM will roll once for the critical damage; if neither damage roll is provided by the player, the DM will make both rolls).
(Added: Thursday, May 4, 2017; per this discussion.)
DM discretion and logic will dictate on a case-by-case basis whether "friendly fire" can result from a natural 1 when the friend is is not engaged in melee. This will mostly (but not necessarily exclusively) apply to slings.
(Added: Friday, January 19, 2018; per this situation/discussion.)