Assassinations

[Dimwhit]

We had an issue come up with an Assassin's death attack and it was curious. (I don't know if 3.5 will change this at all.) Basically, the death attack is a sneak attack that requires a Fort or die save. However, this means that Rogues, Barbarians, and Assassins themselves are immune to the death attack! (Assuming they're high enough level to have uncanny dodge.) Correct? Since they can't be denied their dex, they can't be suseptible. That struck us all as being very odd.

Don't most Assassin's Guilds work on the principle that you become the leader by assassinating the previous leader? That's pretty much impossible. Sure, they could just kill them in a fight, but that's just not right.

Did I miss something?

On a similar note, the Blind Fight feat, which can be taken at first level, also seems to negate assassination attempts. Another reason to take it!

 

[the Jester]

We had an issue come up with an Assassin's death attack and it was curious. (I don't know if 3.5 will change this at all.) Basically, the death attack is a sneak attack that requires a Fort or die save. However, this means that Rogues, Barbarians, and Assassins themselves are immune to the death attack! (Assuming they're high enough level to have uncanny dodge.) Correct? Since they can't be denied their dex, they can't be suseptible. That struck us all as being very odd.

No, it just makes them harder to assassinate. You can't deny their dex bonus just by catching them flat-footed or being unseen, but you still can flank them (if you're high enough level), get 'em while they're climbing, etc. Uncanny dodge does not stop you from ever losing your dex bonus, just under very specific (granted, common) circumstances.

Don't most Assassin's Guilds work on the principle that you become the leader by assassinating the previous leader? That's pretty much impossible. Sure, they could just kill them in a fight, but that's just not right.

Well, I guess that depends on the campaign. I suspect you're harkening back to the 1e version of the assassin (which I loved, and refer back to myself from time to time). Just keep in mind that the 3e assassin is a whole 'nother animal.

On a similar note, the Blind Fight feat, which can be taken at first level, also seems to negate assassination attempts. Another reason to take it!

Er... not sure where you got that. It lets you keep your dex bonus to AC only when struck by an invisible opponent, not when flat-footed, flanked, etc. It helps, but only a bit.

Still, that is another advantage to Blind-Fight that I suspect is often overlooked.

 

[Tellerve]

I'm certainly a fan of blind-fight feat, and you point out one of the reasons I like it so much. That and faster movement in the dark.

As for your assassin...why would he have to use a weapon? I would think to be the leader of an assassin guild you'd wanna be more clever. Using poisoned food, the inside of gloves or clothes, poison gas in the leader's sauna, etc. etc.

Tellerve

 

[andargor]

As for your assassin...why would he have to use a weapon? I would think to be the leader of an assassin guild you'd wanna be more clever. Using poisoned food, the inside of gloves or clothes, poison gas in the leader's sauna, etc. etc.

I second Tellerve. I doubt you would set up a "fair" fight to rise in rank in an Assassin's Guild...

Andargor