Sneak Attack - how often can you use it?

[Shadowdweller]

Doesn't that make rogues incredibly powerful? A 10th-level rogue, with the right two-weapon feats, could be attacking up to five times a round, doing more than 30 points each time - 150 points a round.

Seems like it at first. The thing is, a properly built fighter of equal level can often deal equal (or even greater) damage. Factor in the decreased accuracy and increased vulnerability of the rogue and you've got something pretty balanced. Also, while it may be easy to flank a target, you're often not going to be flanking in time for a full attack. So there's another bit of damage reduced. And many creatures, of course, are immune.

(Also note: I think your listed damage is a probably a bit unrealistic as well. At 10th level, you've got 5d6 sneak attack damage...averaging 17.5 extra per attack. It's probably pretty simple to get a forehand attack to deal that 12.5 you're also assuming...though it's still going to be a pretty big investment. It's NOT so easy to get an off-hand attack to do the same).

 

[Thanee]

The dwarven fighter 4/rogue 10 in our CotSQ PnP does something like 30~35 damage per attack with up to 7 attacks (including Haste and Opportunist), and that's with decent handaxes, good strength and some fighter feats. However, he only has a ~25 AC, which means he gets hit quite a bit.

The character doesn't seem overpowered at all in play.

Bye
Thanee

 

[daBooj]

the xill rogue that was in our game until recently did massive damage. Four arms that each get an attack. Each having +3 daggers. He had a huge bluff bonus and all kinds of other nastiness. When he got off all his attacks, the enimies usually died.

knowing the personality of the xill, the frost giant in our party grew scared. Thought the xill was going to kill us all soon enough. So my cleric stopped the xill's heart when he asked for healing. The player was quite shocked by that one. I hope he's not too pissed, it was a very cool char to lose.

 

[Coredump]

Doesn't that make rogues incredibly powerful? A 10th-level rogue, with the right two-weapon feats, could be attacking up to five times a round, doing more than 30 points each time - 150 points a round.

Yes, that is a lot of potential damage. But a 10th level mage, casting lightning bolt has the [b/potential[/b] of doing 2880 points of damage with one spell. It just doesn't really happen ...

The rogue, especially with that many attacks, has a low chance of hitting all the time, and may not survive a lot of rounds. And he has to meet certain conditions in order to get SA damage anyway.

 

[apesamongus]

the xill rogue that was in our game until recently did massive damage. Four arms that each get an attack. Each having +3 daggers. He had a huge bluff bonus and all kinds of other nastiness. When he got off all his attacks, the enimies usually died.

Bluff doesn't really help with getting multiple sneak attacks.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Bluff doesn't really help with getting multiple sneak attacks.

It does for an Invisible Blade

-Hyp.

 

[cantrip]

It does for an Invisible Blade

-Hyp.

Remember to use the errata

Page 46: Invisible Blade’s Uncanny Feint
(class feature)
The invisible blade can use his uncanny feint ability
once per round.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Remember to use the errata

Yup.

At the end of last round - feint.

This round - full attack. First attack denies Dex (thanks to feint last round). Uncanny Feint as a free action. Second attack denies Dex (thanks to Uncanny Feint). All remaining attacks are normal attacks, not sneak attacks... but you used Bluff to make multiple sneak attacks!

-Hyp.

 

[STARP_JVP]

Yes, that is a lot of potential damage. But a 10th level mage, casting lightning bolt has the [b/potential[/b] of doing 2880 points of damage with one spell. It just doesn't really happen ...QUOTE]

2880? How do you figure that?

 

[HellHound]

60 damage per target.
Fine creatures take 1/2 foot space = 100 per square
120 foot line = 24 squares

= 2400 fine targets

= 144,000 damage.



I agree that the number given by coredump is off.

For 5x5 creatures, the potential is half of what was listed I believe, at 1,440 damage.