Surprise Round Sneak Attack

[Slaygrim]

The surprise round is a partial action round. There is a debate in the group about what that means for a sneak attack with a character who uses two weapon style. Is it still just one attack or does the two weapon fighting feats allow a dual stab sneak attack?

 

[TerraDave]

That was part of my reply in the other thread...one attack.

 

[FreeXenon]

in either 3.0 or 3.5 you need a Full Round action to get more than one attack around.
3.5 you get a standard action with which you may make one attack with.

There are a few archery feats (Many Shot) that allow the firing of more than one arrow as a standard action as as volley. This is a specific and explicit exception, and I have not seen a feat which allows that for a melee attack.

One attack for you.

 

[gunderval]

One attack

You get one attack, only.

If your initiative beats the other's, you still get a full round set of attacks while they're flatfooted, since they remain so until they act.

 

[FreeXenon]

SRD Quotes:

Suprise Round

If some but not all of the combatants are aware of their opponents, a surprise round happens before regular rounds begin. Any combatants aware of the opponents can act in the surprise round, so they roll for initiative. In initiative order (highest to lowest), combatants who started the battle aware of their opponents each take a standard action during the surprise round. You can also take free actions during the surprise round. If no one or everyone is surprised, no surprise round occurs.

Many Shot

As a standard action, you may fire two arrows at a single opponent within 30 feet. Both arrows use the same attack roll (with a -4 penalty) to determine success and deal damage normally (but see Special).

Standard Action: Attack

Attack

Making an attack is a standard action.

Melee Attacks

With a normal melee weapon, you can strike any opponent within 5 feet. (Opponents within 5 feet are considered adjacent to you.) Some melee weapons have reach, as indicated in their descriptions. With a typical reach weapon, you can strike opponents 10 feet away, but you can’t strike adjacent foes (those within 5 feet).

 

[Slaygrim]

Thanks!

 

[Aidan Milvus]

Although... There are feats that allow you to attack with both weapons in a surprise round if you're positioned right.

Dual strike from Comp Adv is the TWF version of manyshot. It allows you to attack with both weapons as a standard action (only one attack roll, both hit, or both miss), however you only get your precision damage once.

Two Weapon Pounce from PHB2 allows you to attack with both weapons as part of a charge. Two attack rolls, precision damage on both attacks, but you don't get the bonus for charging while still taking the penalty to ac for charging. In a surprise round you can make a partial charge as a standard action, which is up to your movement and an attack instead of double your movement and an attack for a normal charge.

 

[FreeXenon]

Now that you mention it, I remember that as well.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I agree with FreeXenon. You only get 1 standard action in a surprise round. Also, partial actions do not exist in 3.5E. That is a 3.0E term.

Olaf the Stout