Rethink Critical Hits: Top 3 Ways to Spice Up Nat 20 Damage in D&D

If you’re a Dungeon Master or player, you’ve likely experienced the thrill of rolling a natural 20 (nat 20) and scoring a critical hit. But let’s be honest: sometimes doubling the dice just doesn’t feel epic enough. What if your crits could do more than just deal extra damage? Whether you’re planning a one-shot or revamping your campaign, we’ve got some exciting ideas to make every nat 20 unforgettable.

Here are 13 different ways to handle crits, but we’re focusing on our top 3 favorites. Plus, we’ll give an honorable mention to the tried-and-true Standard Crit for those who love to keep it simple.

Honorable Mention: Standard Crit (Rules as Written)

Let’s start with the classic. According to the official D&D rules, when you roll a nat 20, you double the dice for your attack’s damage. For example, if you’re using a longsword that deals 1d8 damage, you roll 2d8 and add your modifiers.

This approach is simple, effective, and easy to remember. But what if you’re looking to add a little more flair or unpredictability to your critical hits? That’s where these alternate methods come in.

13 Different Ways to Handle Nat 20 Crits

1. Standard Crit (Rules as Written): Roll twice the number of damage dice for your attack and add your modifiers.
2. Max Damage Crit: Deal maximum possible damage for all dice instead of rolling them.
3. Perkins Crit: Roll once, then add the maximum possible damage for the dice.
4. Brutal Crit: Add extra damage dice to your attack when you crit, inspired by the Barbarian’s feature.
5. Exploding Dice Crit: If you roll the maximum value on a damage die, roll it again and add the result; repeat if you keep rolling max.
6. Double Damage Crit: Double the entire damage result, including modifiers, for a more impactful hit.
7. Gritty Crit: Add a special effect, like knocking the target prone, disarming them, or causing a bleed effect, on top of your damage.
8. Wild Crit: Roll on a critical hit table to determine an extra effect, such as stunning or additional damage to nearby enemies.
9. Lethal Crit: If a crit reduces a target to 10% of their max HP or less, it automatically kills them.
10. Stacking Crit: Add bonus damage from effects like sneak attack or smite without limiting them to doubling dice.
11. Called Shot Crit: Declare a specific target area (e.g., head, leg) before rolling; a crit triggers unique effects like reducing speed or blinding the enemy.
12. Double Crit (20 on Confirm): After a nat 20, roll again; if it’s another 20, double the crit damage or trigger an epic bonus effect.
13. Cinematic Crit: Let players describe their attack with narrative flair, earning an added bonus or condition based on their creativity.

Top 3 Ways to Spice Up Your Crits

While all 13 methods bring something unique to the table, these are our personal favorites:

#3: Gritty Crit

If you love campaigns with a cinematic or strategic edge, the Gritty Crit is for you. With this rule, a critical hit doesn’t just deal damage—it also triggers a special effect. Here are a few examples of what you can do on a nat 20:

• Knock your enemy prone.
• Disarm your opponent, forcing them to drop their weapon.
• Cause a bleed effect that deals damage over time.

This method adds an extra layer of drama and strategy to combat, encouraging players to think creatively about how they attack. It’s perfect for gritty, grimdark campaigns or when you want every swing to feel like a calculated move.

#2: Brutal Crit

For those who crave high-stakes carnage, the Brutal Crit takes critical hits to a whole new level. Inspired by the Barbarian’s Brutal Critical feature, this method adds extra damage dice to your attack when you crit.

For example:

• A regular crit with a greatsword might roll 4d6 (double the weapon’s 2d6 dice).
• A Brutal Crit would let you roll 6d6 or even more, depending on your level or the house rule.

This approach amplifies the raw power of a critical hit, making them feel truly epic. When you score a crit, everyone at the table knows it’s a big deal.

#1: Perkins Crit

Named after the legendary D&D designer Chris Perkins, the Perkins Crit guarantees every critical hit feels impactful. Here’s how it works:

• Instead of rolling double the damage dice, you roll once and then add the maximum possible value for your weapon’s damage dice.

For example:

• With a longsword (1d8), roll 1d8 and add 8 to the result.
• For a fireball spell (8d6), roll 8d6 and add 48 (the maximum possible value of the dice).

This method ensures crits are consistently exciting, even if you roll low on the dice. It combines the thrill of rolling with a guarantee of significant damage, making it a fan-favorite among players and DMs alike.

Why Change Your Crit Rules?

The Standard Crit works well for many campaigns, but experimenting with alternative rules can elevate the experience for everyone at the table. These methods are perfect for:

• One-shots where you want to make every moment memorable.
• Epic campaigns where crits should feel legendary.
• Thematic games that emphasize strategy, drama, or over-the-top fun.

What’s Your Favorite Crit Rule?

Have you tried any of these methods in your own games? Do you have a favorite house rule for nat 20s? Let us know in the comments, or share your ideas with us on social media. And if you’re ready to spice up your campaign, consider giving the Gritty Crit, Brutal Crit, or Perkins Crit a try—you might just change the way you think about critical hits forever.

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