D&D 5E Spells Without Attack Rolls: Can they Critically Hit?

[Wereox]

I know spells that require the user to make an attack roll can crit, but what about spells that don't?

Spells like moonbeam, thunderwave, call lightning, and heat metal don't require the user to make an attack roll, but rather the target must make a saving throw.

What about on sleeping or unconscious targets? According to the PHB, any attack made on an unconscious target that hits while you are within 5 feet of said target is a critical hit.

So say you sneak up to a sleeping target or move to an unconscious one and use thunderwave. Would the spell critically strike? Or does the spell simply not count as an "attack" because there is no attack roll?

 

[Gilwen]

only spells that have an attack roll can get a crit. http://www.sageadvice.eu/2015/02/18/critical-spell-3/ & http://www.enworld.org/forum/conten...on-Sage-Advice-from-Designers-Mearls-Crawford
Given that then attacking unconscious people would give you anything that applies in the condition. Spells that rely on saves do not get critical hits, although a DM could rules that a given circumstance gives a creature disadvantage on the save. A spell that has a save is an attack only in the most general sense. In game an attack specifically is one that has an attack roll.

 

[the Jester]

Without an attack roll, you can never score a critical hit (unless you have some sort of "auto critical hit" ability or item).

 

[Wereox]

Thanks, this definitely clarifies everything

 

[Saeviomagy]

I typically allow critical hits with effects that usually rely on a save in coup-de-gras situations, but the effect typically loses it's AOE ability. Firing a thunderwave into someone's ear at point blank is too good a concept to ruin by saying it does nothing.

Heck, I'm tempted to say that save effects critical if the target rolls a 1 on it's save. Everyone likes critting occasionally.

 

[MG.0]

I would like to point out that DMG pg 242 does allow for the possibility of degrees of failure including critical failures and successes with regard to both ability checks and saving throws.

 

[Wereox]

I would like to point out that DMG pg 242 does allow for the possibility of degrees of failure including critical failures and successes with regard to both ability checks and saving throws.

So you're suggesting that if the creature critically failed (I assume they rolled a natural 1), then its possible to deal critical damage with the spell?

 

[delericho]

So you're suggesting that if the creature critically failed (I assume they rolled a natural 1), then its possible to deal critical damage with the spell?

If you're using that option.

 

[Forged Fury]

I almost like the concept of rolling a 1 on a save resulting in critical damage, but many of those spells deal half damage on a save, while targeted (roll to hit spells) do nothing on a miss. I think it would shift the balance very much in the favor of save vs. spells.

 

[jrowland]

I use the "Crit on save roll of Nat 1" and apply max damage (not more dice). Keeps the balance of power with spell attack roll spells, but gives a nice oomph.