Bluff as a free action.

[JacktheRabbit]

There is a PrC class in Dragon #303 that grants on its 5th level of bluffing as a free action.

The PrC is called the Silent Blade.

You can take the PrC at about 5th level so you will get this ability at 10th level total.

Is this an appropriate power or overpowered for a 10th level rogue type character to be able to make free action bluffs in combat.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

As a balancing note this ability can only be used while wiedling a dagger, punch dagger, or kukri.

 

[Apok]

Nope, this is definitely not overpowered. At the worst, the Rogue will be getting off one Sneak Attack per round against any given opponent. This assumes that the target is unable to beat the Rogue's Bluff check.

The fact of the matter is, if a target can be Sneak Attacked, any Rogue worth his poisoned dagger is going to be able to apply that extra damage as often as he can. Just compare this ability to a Rogue with Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack; he Spring Attacks into a flanking position, deals his SA damage and springs away from danger with no AoO's. A 6th level human Rogue could do this, so being able to Feint as a free action in combat, quite frankly, doesn't impress me.

Now, if Feinting allowed you to deny your opponent his Dex for an entire round and not just one attack, then you might have a problem. Fortunately, it doesn't work that way, so I'd say everything is peachy.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Nope, this is definitely not overpowered. At the worst, the Rogue will be getting off one Sneak Attack per round against any given opponent.

Uh, Free Action.

You could use this before each and every attack in a Full Attack action.

With a maxed Bluff skill and a decent Cha, the Rogue will win most of those. How many monsters have ranks in Sense Motive?

It's better than a Ring of Blinking for the average Rogue.

Doc - does the Silent Blade have any Sneak Attack progression?

If he does, I'd call it a very, very powerful ability.

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

Uh, Free Action.

You could use this before each and every attack in a Full Attack action.

That's up to the DM, isn't it?

 

[Madfox]

Why is it overpowered? It simply means that you might have a chance of a sneak attack with every attack. How does that differ from outflanking somebody (except that people with uncanny dodge are not immune to bluffing)? According to Monte Cook sneak attack is balanced if every attack the rogue made would be a sneak attack, even with this feat that is nowhere near possible. If I see any downside to this ability, then it is that you will need to make a lot of rolls

Side Note - There is an official feat that allows the bluffing as a move equivalent action if I remember correctly.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Side Note - There is an official feat that allows the bluffing as a move equivalent action if I remember correctly.

That's not so bad. It's still a once-per-round thing.

-Hyp.

 

[drnuncheon]

Doc - does the Silent Blade have any Sneak Attack progression?

It's got 'dagger sneak attack', additional sneak attack dice with - yeah, you guessed it.

The PrC is the Invisible Blade, BTW. It's sort of like the lasher in that it's set up to make a suboptimal combat choice more usable - and since it's also designed as a gladiatorial class, I can see why it got feint abilities (you can't count on flanking in the arena.)

J

 

[Hypersmurf]

It's sort of like the lasher in that it's set up to make a suboptimal combat choice more usable...

Bah. The dagger PrC is Mike Mearls' Razorfiend...

-Hyp.

 

[Elvinis75]

Uh, Free Action.

You could use this before each and every attack in a Full Attack action.

With a maxed Bluff skill and a decent Cha, the Rogue will win most of those. How many monsters have ranks in Sense Motive?

It's better than a Ring of Blinking for the average Rogue.

Doc - does the Silent Blade have any Sneak Attack progression?

If he does, I'd call it a very, very powerful ability.

-Hyp.

Sorry hypersmurf but the rules say the next attack. Bluff attack attack ...etc.
First one gets sneak attack.
Now one could argue that you could get
bluff attack bluff attack ...etc but I'm not buying that. The rules seem to suggest that taking multiple "free actions" of the same type begin to take time. Shouting out a command is free. Talking is not. I guess this is just in my opinion but I wouldn't allow it. You could ask the sage I guess.