Displacement vs. Sneak Attack

[TheMunchKing]

The description of displacement says "...benefits from a 50% miss chance as if he had full concealment. However, unlike actual full concealment, displacement does not prevent enemies from targeting him normally. "

Does anyone take this to mean that sneak attacks would work normally? Or am I right in saying they would fail due to the concealment factor?

Thx.

 

[Arnix]

You can sneak attack a displaced person. The sneak attack will suffer the 50% miss chance like a normal attack would.

 

[hong]

I would say displacement negates sneak attacks. The bit about "targeting normally" refers to not having to choose a square, as is usually the case when attacking someone with full concealment.

 

[TheMunchKing]

Right on!

That's what I figured. How can I strike a vital area if it's not where is supposed to be, right?

 

[Christian]

I disagree. The comment about 'targeting normally' refers to the fact that ordinarily, attacking a fully concealed (eg. invisible) character requires that the attacker pick a space to attack. If the target isn't actually in that space, the attack automatically misses. The attacker can see which space the displaced target is in, but not exactly where in that space; so, while he needn't make the guess, he still gets the 50% miss chance. But like any other situation in which the rogue cannot place a blow with precision, the concealment provided prevents him from making a sneak attack.

In short, the displacement effect works as if it were a lower level of concealment in all respects, except that is has the miss chance for full concealment.

 

[hong]

I disagree.

Me too!

Um, who were we disagreeing with again?

 

[TheMunchKing]

Just to be sure, do you think there would be any difference if the displacement came from a Minor Cloak of Displacement (20% miss)?

My Sorcerer has one of these and arguing that it grants immunity to sneak attacks has saved my life...

 

[Baron Von StarBlade]

The description of displacement says "...benefits from a 50% miss chance as if he had full concealment. However, unlike actual full concealment, displacement does not prevent enemies from targeting him normally. "

Does anyone take this to mean that sneak attacks would work normally? Or am I right in saying they would fail due to the concealment factor?

Thx.

As everyone has already said if you look at Table 8-10 on pg 133 of the PHB it states that Full Concealment provides 50% miss chance and you have to guess which square they are in. The targeting normally line in the Displacement description just means you can still see the target so you don't have to guess the square.
That being said in the description of Sneak Attack it specificially states that if you have any amount of concealment it will negate a Sneak attack.
Finally for the nay sayers think of this: Blur offers only 20% concealment and it negates Sneak Attack, why shouldn't Displacement (a higher level spell) not do the same thing.

 

[Darklone]

Hey guys stop. Any concealment (the good old dark alley example where two rogues in ambush cannot sneak attack) prohibits sneak attacks.

Sorry not able to give the PHB page right now...

 

[Christian]

Me too!

Um, who were we disagreeing with again?

IIRC, we were disagreeing with you. So, let us disagree to agree to disagree, shall we?