Sword of subtlety

[Particle_Man]

The wording describing the sword of subtlety is a wee bit too subtle for me.

This +1 sword changes when sneak attacks are made with it. What exactly happens then?

a) It becomes a normal +4 sword (indicating overlapping of the +1 and +4 bonus, making it like a sword of the planes, or holy avenger).
b) It becomes a normal +5 sword (indicating stacking of the original +1 bonus and the +4 bonus, which it "Adds") (Makes it like a bane weapon).
c) It remains a +1 sword (for defeating damage reduction, and for opponents trying to sunder it) that happens to give the wielder an additional +4 to hit and damage, independently of the weapon's +1 bonus.
d) Something else entirely.

 

[kreynolds]

c) It remains a +1 sword (for defeating damage reduction, and for opponents trying to sunder it) that happens to give the wielder an additional +4 to hit and damage, independently of the weapon's +1 bonus.

Definately C.

 

[Darklone]

D) It vanishs so subtly that noone notices.

 

[hammymchamham]

I read it as C.

I'm going to try to convince my DM to let me add this ability to my Svirfneblin Rogue's Gnomish Battle Pick (right now +1 sure striking).

 

[CRGreathouse]

Yeah, it's C.

 

[Taren Seeker]

C, and here's some proof for you:

SRD:

A +1 short sword with a thin, dull gray blade, this sword adds a +4 bonus to its wielder’s attack roll and damage when he is making a sneak attack with it.

Note that it's an unnamed +4 to hit and damage bonus that is separate from the enhancement of the sword. So, you could GMW it and get +9 to hit and damage total at 15th caster level.