Shouldn't a Critical Success defeat a DC of 99?

[GravityWave]

So, I'm in Act 3, and got a DC99 (obviously telling), but I rolled a naked 20 (with Advantage), Shouldn't I succeed? I failed which isn't too surprising, but I got the roll!

[Damashi The Kaotic]

Yes a natural 20 will beat a DC 99 check within the context of BG3. You might have experienced a bug.

[Maraxus]

Brain bends the rules to it's will. At least I think the intention was to show that.

[Orion Invictus]

Did the game actually say it was a critical success, or could it have been a roll+bonuses that added up to 20?

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Maraxus:

Brain bends the rules to it's will. At least I think the intention was to show that.

That's not a thing.

[Maraxus]

What exactly is not a thing?

[GrandMajora]

It's only a critical success if you roll a 20 on the die. If you roll a 20 because your bonuses add up, then it's not a critical.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Maraxus:

What exactly is not a thing?

An enemy, even a boss, bending the game's rules like that.

[Maraxus]

But it did, if we are talking about this scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL1c7OAIsJc

You try to dominate it, and pass a 99DC check with a critical hit, yet you still fail. At best the success is momentary, but futile.

So I think it is a way the game communicates that the brain is so strong that even with a critical roll(which at this point has always succeeded) it still can't be beat.

It may have been better to say that the brain breaks the expectations of the result of the rules as a way to convey how strong it is, I guess, but it would have taken longer. 😂

The rules represent the internal logic of the game world, critical success not working on the brain seems to say that the rules don't apply to the brain(and thus shows how powerful). Well I said the same thing in 3 different ways, hope it's clear what I meant.

It's classic Larian's subversion of expectations(in this case of the rules, to enhance the narrative).

Edit: Alright my final refinement: It shows the vast power of the Brain by subverting the expectations of how the rules work(specifically this critical success rule, and thus, in a way, implying 'it' is able to bend it to their will). 😂

Now I realize all this sounds a bit circular, which happens when you are breaking the rules for narrative purposes, because now you have to explain why... but it's ok if it enhances the narrative, which was the point in the first place.... ok enough of this lol.

But the game does ♥♥♥♥ with your mind in multiple places, even in this apparently inaccessible scene where Karlach breaks the 4th wall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2scKB-FEQL8

[Izuzul]

Went a bit different for my guy.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3021430423

[Aria Athena]

How critical success works in these cases is ultimately up to the dm. I don't remember if the game makes you roll regardless, or it's your choice, but just because you tried something and rolled a 20, doesn't necessarily mean you can do it in any conceivable manner. Critical success doesn't completely overwrite reality. If there is an actual person across you they may tell you something along the lines of "you showed immense mental strength and the brain was taken aback by your tenacity, but alas it's an impossible task". I don't know if Larian included an special dialog, but it doesn't take a stroke of luck, it just cannot be done.

[Maraxus]

I think in 5e critical successes don't apply to skills/abilities though, just attack roles, so this is a case of Larian going against the rules(or expectations of the rules at the very least) of their own homebrew. And now that I think about it, this also goes against the expectations of the narrative because up to that point you are led to believe that the Karsus stones are strong enough to dominate the brain. But obviously in the end you can't because this is supposed to show you are going against an extremely formidable enemy for the last showdown(and thus making the end feel more heroic).

All this kind of goes in line with what Gary Gygax many years ago though:

“It is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules which is important. Never hold to the letter written, nor allow some barracks room lawyer to force quotations from the rule books upon you, if it goes against the obvious intent of the game. As you hew the line with respect to conformity to major systems and uniformity of play in general, also be certain the game is mastered by you and not by your players. Within the broad parameters given in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons volumes, you are creator and final arbiter. By ordering things as they should be, the game as a whole first, you campaign next and your participants thereafter, you will be playing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons as it was meant to be.”

In the context of this quote it's interesting to see how Larian is willing to play with the interaction(and even the nature) of the rules/narrative in order to get a desired result.

[alanc9]

Players should be allowed to attempt the impossible from time to time.

[MajorMurderer]

The nat 20 on that DC99 check gives a mahoosive debuff on that boss later.

[Maraxus]

Oh ♥♥♥♥ it does lower hp by 20%. They did implement partial success, but delayed... more subversion of expectation, it's impossible to tell with Larian. 😂

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Maraxus:

But it did, if we are talking about this scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL1c7OAIsJc

You're conflating "boss suffers the effects of a nat 20 and then reacts" with "nat 20 means the boss should be instakilled" (or something like that).

Succeeding in that check has an effect in the final battle, BTW.