D&D 3E/3.5 D&D 3.5 - Rogue SA optimizing.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Well, a spiked chain (or other finesse reach weapon) using sneak attacker with some ways of generating AoOs (like the backstab feat I mentioned) can be pretty good, too. TWF isn't the only way to do it. Definitely the easiest to plan around, though.

 

[Wyvernhand]

The three things you need to do to max SA are to max the number of dice, the number of attacks, and the amount of time you spend qualifying for SA. It doesn't matter how many attacks or dice you have if you can't qualify for SA, and if you can't get a full attack when you do. There are lots of ways to qualify for SA, either by getting free movement to get into flanking, using something like Island of Blades stance to flank while adjacent, or using invisibility or other form of total concealment to qualify independent of an ally. Don't neglect any of these things in favor of the other two or your overall effectiveness will suffer.

 

[irdeggman]

Utilize Hide to max initial SA atempts.

From the Rules Compendium pg 92

"If you've successfully hidden with respect to another creature, that creature is flat-footed with respect to you. That creature treats you as if you were invisible."


Not the addition of the last sentence from the core books.

This gives a huge addition.

If the opponent is invisible:

The defender loses Dex bonuses to AC and the attacker gains an additional +2 bonus on attacks.


If you can get improved invisibility then all attacks benefit.

 

[Jackinthegreen]

If Dragon Magazine is allowed, get Exotic Weapon Prof: Crescent Knife from Dragon 275 page 44. It's a light weapon that does 1d3 for medium creatures, or 1d2 for small. The reason it's an exotic weapon is because you actually attack twice with it for each normal attack, which also doubles sneak attack damage. TWF for quadruple.