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House Rule: Modified Critical Hits
When a natural 20 is rolled, the attack always hits. The damage result will automatically be the maximum value. Adjustments due to strength, enchantments, weapon specialization, additional dice damage such as sneak attack and magical damage dice are rolled normally and are applied at the end.

When an attack hits with a confirmed critical, the player may roll as many dice as the critical multiplier for the weapon. If the critical attack roll is a natural 20, the first critical damage dice result will automatically be the maximum value. Additional damage due to higher critical multipliers, strength, enchantments, weapon specialization, etc, and additional dice damage such as sneak attack and magical damage dice are rolled normally and are applied at the end.

There in one exception to the maximum damage rule. If the attacker is only able to hit the target with a natural 20, the damage dice are rolled normally (ie, not maximized).

EXAMPLE:
Fighter (Level 6th)
Strength 16 (+3)
Longsword: 1d8; 19-20 x2
Normal Attack: 1d8+3 ==> 4 to 11
Natural 20 Attack: 8+3 ==> 11
Normal Attack/Normal Confirmed Critical: 1d8+1d8+3 ==> 5 to 19
Normal Attack/Natural 20 Confirmed Critical: 1d8+8+3 ==> 12 to 19
Natural 20 Attack/Normal Confirmed Critical: 8+1d8+3 ==> 12 to 19
Natural 20 Attack/Natural 20 Confirmed Critical: 8+8+3 ==> 19