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<blockquote data-quote="GlassJaw" data-source="post: 7972064" data-attributes="member: 22103">I really don't like fluff vs. mechanics discussions. While fluff might influence mechanics, good design should not be sacrificed for the sake of fluff.Anyway, sneak attack (which I agree is poorly named), has 2 conditions:<ol>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">Advantage on your attack roll, or</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol">An ally is within 5 feet&nbsp; of your target.</li>
</ol>Now, one way to gain advantage is against an unaware opponent but that isn't explicitly stated in the description. If anything, I read the fluff that is there (&quot;...you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction&quot;) as more of a &quot;cheap shot&quot; type ability rather than a snipe/backstab attack.But it's irrelevant.The rogue is &quot;balanced&quot; by getting its bucket of Yahtzee dice once every turn (and even then, studies have shown it to be still lacking against other classes and builds. The delivery system doesn't really matter. The restrictions only serve the fluff and nostalgia to the thief of the past.The rogue would be better off balanced against other classes by removing all the restrictions: advantage, ally within 5 ft, weapon type. Once per turn, you deal the extra damage. Easy peasy. I do agree that isn't as interesting.Honestly, I might even experiment with allowing the rogue to split their d6 pool across multiple attacks in a round. That might encourage two-weapon fighting too much but it still competes with Cunning Action.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="GlassJaw, post: 7972064, member: 22103"] I really don't like fluff vs. mechanics discussions. While fluff might influence mechanics, good design should not be sacrificed for the sake of fluff. Anyway, sneak attack (which I agree is poorly named), has 2 conditions: [LIST=1] [*]Advantage on your attack roll, or [*]An ally is within 5 feet of your target. [/LIST] Now, one way to gain advantage is against an unaware opponent but that isn't explicitly stated in the description. If anything, I read the fluff that is there ("...you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe's distraction") as more of a "cheap shot" type ability rather than a snipe/backstab attack. But it's irrelevant. The rogue is "balanced" by getting its bucket of Yahtzee dice once every turn (and even then, studies have shown it to be still lacking against other classes and builds. The delivery system doesn't really matter. The restrictions only serve the fluff and nostalgia to the thief of the past. The rogue would be better off balanced against other classes by removing all the restrictions: advantage, ally within 5 ft, weapon type. Once per turn, you deal the extra damage. Easy peasy. I do agree that isn't as interesting. Honestly, I might even experiment with allowing the rogue to split their d6 pool across multiple attacks in a round. That might encourage two-weapon fighting too much but it still competes with Cunning Action. [/QUOTE]

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