Such basic rules should be a lot clearer !
p12 :
p79 :A roll of 20 is an automatic hit and often results in a critical success of some kind.
p81 :A natural roll of 20 is a critical hit. For some classes, other
die rolls may also result in critical hits. See below for more
details.
A higher-level character with multiple attacks may roll an
action die other than 1d20. Similarly, a character attacking
with two weapons may roll a die other than 1d20. A critical
hit still requires a result of a natural 20 or the character’s
threat range, as detailed below – secondary dice results do
not score critical hits as often.
On a d20 roll, a natural roll of 20 is a critical hit. A natural 20 automatically hits and the attacker must roll his crit die on
the appropriate critical hit table, with the result adjusted by his Luck modifier.
Crit dice and table are determined by class and level; refer to the character class tables. All 0-level characters roll 1d4 on
crit table I.
Note that while higher-level warriors threaten critical hits on rolls other than 20, only a natural 20 is an automatic hit.
Strikes that fail to hit do not incur critical hits. For example, a warrior with a threat range of 19-20 rolls a natural 19 against
a foe with AC 21. If the warrior’s deed die rolls a 1, the total attack is a result of 20, less than the AC, so this attack does not
hit. It thus does not score a critical hit, even though it is within the threat range. If the deed die is a 2 or higher, the total
attack roll is at least 21, so the attack hits and due to the natural 19 it counts as a critical hit.
When rolling dice greater than d20, a crit occurs based on
the die’s highest possible results. For example, when attacking
with a d24, a crit occurs on a 24. A warrior with an
improved threat range adjusts accordingly. For example, a
threat range of 19-20 while rolling on a d24 becomes 23-24,
with only the result of 24 being an automatic hit.
Given the wide range of foes encountered by the PCs, the
judge should always adjust the description of the critical hit
to suit the foe and the PC’s weapon. If a result is completely
inapplicable, use the next lower (less harmful) result on the
table. Similarly, critical hits scored by monsters should be
narrated in accordance to the monster’s chosen attack.
p94 : table 4.3 Two-Weapon Attacks:
Agility 16-17 : Primary hand scores a critical hit on a max die roll (16 on
1d16) that also beats target’s AC (no automatic hit)
So what are the official and definitive rules ? [/b]
- Automatic hit ONLY on a 20, whatever the dice ? Any exception ?
- Critical hit ONLY on the maximum side ? (1d14 :14; 1d16 : 16 ; 1d20:20 ; 1d24:24; 1d30:30)
Or only on the maximum side IF the dice is d20 or higher ??? (= no critical possible with d16 and lower dies ?)
(in both cases : + the warrior threat range rule)
SKILLS:
p66-67:
Skill Checks for Common Activities
What kind of dice a warrior, elf, halfling, etc is supposed to use when doing mundane physical actions a Thief is supposed to be a specialist ?
For instance: A Warrior makes a Climbing roll with 1d20 or 1d10 ?
ELF and Equipment :
where are the mithril weapons and armors ?