Talk:Critical Expansion (3.5e Feat)

[edit] Homebrew or OGL?

This has the user category. is it homebrew or from a book? --Name Violation 07:22, 6 February 2010 (UTC)

This seems way too unbalanced to be from a book. I think it's probably homebrew. Also, on a related note we should add a "needs balance" tag. Think of a High-Dex Build rapier wielder Crit range would be as large as 9-20 x2 (assuming you have a Dex score of 22, which is likely). --Badger 21:47, 19 May 2010 (UTC)

Done and done. I agree, an ability score-based increase is way overpowered (especially when balanced against a static penalty), because that means it's theoretically possible to have a crit range of 1-20. Or greater, not that that means anything mechanically. JazzMan 02:03, 20 May 2010 (UTC)

[edit] Balance

This looks like a very promising feat, but it also looks like it could be substantially broken at higher levels (or in this case, higher Dex modifiers). The idea is a good one, but it needs some sort of limit on it. Possibly giving each successive modifier less of an impact on the threat range, or some such. In short, a diminishing returns effect.

For example, you could use, say, the Fibonacci sequence (I'm just using that one because it's convenient and easiest to follow). In that case, the first increase would require a +1 modifier, the second +2, the third +3, the fourth (here's where it gets interesting) +5, the fifth +8, the sixth +13, the seventh +21, and so on. (Although if anyone has a Dex mod over 21, there are already bigger problems to worry about.)

Alternatively, you could have the crit range boost equal to half of the modifier. That would give increases on +2, +4, +6, +8, +10, etc.; this option is simpler, but has more potential for becoming overpowered.

Another solution would be to set a maximum cap on the range increase, so that the benefit won't continue past a certain point (say, the third crit range increase).

I think that this would really help to make this less potentially broken, while still keeping it useful as a feat. What do you think? Silverkin 18:35, 1 April 2011 (MDT)

For starters, a Fibonacci sequence is way more complication than it's worth. There's probably no way that this can be balanced so long as it's tied to Dex. Consider that the user has to have Accurate Strike and Weapon Finesse to qualify for this feat. Since their melee attack bonus is BAB + 1.5 x Dex, you know anyone who has this feat is going to max their Dex anyway. A better solution would be that keeps with the spirit of the feat is this: you can add a number to your threat range (up to your Dex bonus), but subtract twice that number from your damage. Dex-based fighters have lower damage anyway since they normally don't have that high of strength, so there's an inherent limitation without having to use any complicated math. JazzMan 09:11, 4 April 2011 (MDT)

Perhaps make it tied to hit die, like HD/5, and for every +3 Dex Mod you have, you get a +1 threat range to a maximum of +3. In addition, make it so that the threat range has a maximum of 10-20, and make it so that you can only get a ×2 crit + weapon bursts while using the feat. --Salasay Δ 15:52, 14 February 2013 (MST)