Severity

The second roll on the critical hit charts is for severity. The severity of a hit is determined by the relative size of the attacker’s weapon and the defender.

Weapon vs. Target Size	Effect	Di(c)e
Weapon size is < target size	Minor	1d6
Weapon size is = target size	Major	2d4
Weapon size is > target size	Severe	2d6
Weapon is two sizes larger	Mortal	2d8

The di(c)e indicated is the type rolled for that severity. For example, if a human armed with a long sword (size M) is fighting a gnoll (size L), he rolls 1d6 for the critical hit’s severity because the long sword’s size is smaller than the gnoll’s size.

If the weapon is two sizes larger than the target, it is possible to reach the 13+ column of the chart. These hits inflict triple damage dice, even if the victim passes his saving throw to avoid the effects of the critical hit.

The arrows and bolts fired from bows and crossbows are considered size M weapons, even though the missiles themselves are Small. Heavy crossbow bolts are considered size L.

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