[RPG] Is acid splash automatically a critical hit against an unconscious creature

attackcritical-hitdnd-5espellsunconscious

For critical hits, the PHB states:

When you score a critical hit, you get to roll extra dice for the attack's damage…

The description of acid splash states:

… A target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw…

The description of the Unconscious condition says (leaving out the first 2 bullet points):

  • The creatures automatically fails Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
  • Attack rolls against the creature have advantage.
  • Any attack that hits the creature is a critical hit if the attacker is within 5 feet of the creature.

So a sorcerer sneaks up to a sleeping creature (within 5 feet) with the intention of doing as much damage as possible, and can either fire bolt it or acid splash it.

  1. Fire bolt — The advantage of being unconscious is negated by the disadvantage of making a ranged spell attack at 5 feet. If it hits, the damage is rolled as a critical hit.

  2. Acid splash — The advantage of being unconscious is now obsolete because the target automatically fails Dexterity-based saving throws. The spell automatically hits as a critical hit.

Does the acid splash spell work this way?

Best Answer

Sorry, but No

The Key Word here is Attack. Attacks as defined in the PHB are D20 rolls against AC.

From PHB, 194

If there’s ever any question whether something you’re doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you’re making an attack roll, you’re making an attack.

Critical Hits are defined on page 194 (emphasis mine),

If the d20 roll for an attack is a 20, the attack hits regardless of any modifiers or the target’s AC. In addition, the attack is a critical hit, as explained later in this chapter.

Acid Splash is a Save-based Spell and doesn't qualify as an Attack for a Critical hit, since there is no d20 roll for attack.

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