Shocking Grasp -- Critical Hit

[Bozidar]

If you cast shocking graps, make a melee touch attack and score a critical hit on the target, does the spell do double damage?

If so, would a monk wearing a ring of shocking grasp do double damage in the same instance?

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Yes and yes. However, the monk must succeed on a normal melee attack if you want him to do both unarmed strike damage and the shocking grasp damage.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Yes and yes. However, the monk must succeed on a normal melee attack if you want him to do both unarmed strike damage and the shocking grasp damage.

 

[Bozidar]

what do you mean by a normal melee attack?

 

[Pax]

Let's say it's a Monk(1)/Sorceror(1) who has cast Shocking Grasp on themself.

There are two options:

• one, make a melee touch attack, and ONLY do 1d6[shock] damage.
• two, make a normal melee attack, and punch for 1d6+str[physical] damage and 1d6[shock] damage.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

If you cast shocking graps, make a melee touch attack and score a critical hit on the target, does the spell do double damage?

As said. Also note that this works with whatever spell you fancy that requires a touch attack (melee or ranged): Shocking grasp, disintegrate, harm, polar ray, scorching ray....

They also qualify for a sneak attack.

 

[Destil]

Okay, so as a follow up... say I'm a monk using shocking grasp with a normal melee attack and I score a critical hit. My gut instinct is to only multiply the unarmed damage and any Str bonus or other flat add, leaving the bonus dice of damage from the spell alone like sneak attack damage. That sound right to everyone else?

 

[Bozidar]

No, i think you double the damage. Unlike a weapon that has an effect on it, like a flame blade or a holy blade, this is treated as a spell-like effect. And if i'm not mistaken, a wizard can crit with a shocking grasp too, so why not the monk?

 

[Bozidar]

There are two options:

• one, make a melee touch attack, and ONLY do 1d6[shock] damage.
• two, make a normal melee attack, and punch for 1d6+str[physical] damage and 1d6[shock] damage.

But what if a 2nd level monk has a ring of shocking grasp that is in continuous mode, and attacks with his flurry of blows?

 

[eryndel]

Let me redirect with another question.

We have a Monk/Sorcerer. She is high enough level and has the improved critical (unarmed) feat. She casts a touch spell like Shocking Grasp and imbues her fist to strike. Does she crit on a 19-20
a) if she decides to make a touch attack.
b) if she makes a melee attack to do both damage.

Say she goes for a melee attack and she rolls a natural 19. Does she double the unarmed damage only or both unarmed and spell damage.

Really just for idle curiosity.

Werner