this post was submitted on 11 Nov 2025
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Is a nat 20 not treated as a critical success? At least that’s how my 5e DM handles those.
Nat 20 adds one to the degree of success, which almost always means a crit unless you are dealing with something way above your level.
How some crazies want ability checks to work:
Player: I gesture vaguely towards the ancient dragon indicating I would like it to give me all of its gold and become my personal pet.
DM: Roll a persuasion check
Player: Let's see... Minus 4 because I'm still only level 2.... With a Nat-20 that's totals 16
DM: Nat-20? By golly I guess that means you succeed - the ancient dragon and its entire hoard of treasure are yours now.
How critical success ability checks should work:
DM: "Nat-20? The dragon is amused by your insane audacity and merely punts you out of his chamber instead of turning you into a smoking cinder on the spot. Roll for fall damage."