Does Displacement negate sneak attack?

[Stalker0]

Under sneak attack rules, it says that you can't sneak attack a creature with concealment. Under the displacement spell, it says: "he benefits from a 50% miss chance as if he had full concealment."

But then it goes on to say: "However, unlike full concealment, displacement does not prevent enemies from targeting him normally."

My take on that second sentence was only to differentiate displacement from the full concealment caused by invisibility and total darkness, in which case it would negate sneak attack.

What are your guy's takes?

BTw, as a side note: for that argument between mirror image and displacement, here's one advantage displacement gives noone mentioned.

 

[kreynolds]

My take on that second sentence was only to differentiate displacement from the full concealment caused by invisibility and total darkness, in which case it would negate sneak attack.

What are your guy's takes?

I agree that it negates sneak attack. After all, in regards to sneak attack, concealment is concealment, no matter where it comes from. Also, here's a Sage Reply on the issue...

Hello. Since you can target them normally, does Displacement negate sneak attacks?

Yes. Any degree of concealment negates sneak attacks.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Another example of the Sage being stoned out of his mind.

Displacement certainly does not prevent you being sneak atttack, and the spell discription actually says that in two sentances you quoted.

 

[0-hr]

I strongly agree with your interpretation Stalker0. It makes sense both logically and balance-wise.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

A touch of logic...

If you're aiming for someone's aorta (sneak attack), but it's two feet from where you think it is, then you'll never hit it. You have a 50% chance of missing your opponent's chest entirely, and a 50% chance of hitting a somewhat less vital part of their anatomy.

 

[dcollins]

I agree that that's the proper ruling by the Sage.
The "targeting" issue is very specific to the needs-to-guess-what-square-you're-in requirement.

 

[Christian]

That was my thought, too, dcollins. Ordinarily, an enemy with full concealment has the added advantage that an opponent has to guess what square his target is in-if he guesses wrong, he's got a 100% miss chance. Although the displacement spell gives the same 50% miss chance as full concealment, the targeting issue does not apply.

I see no reason to think that this would negate the rule negating sneak attacks on concealed targets ...

 

[DreamChaser]

Espcecially since I believe this is targeting as it applies to spells like Magic Missile which must be cast against a target and cannot be targeted against an enemy with full concealment. No where in sneak attack does the issue of targeting come up so any concealment, even that from Displacement, negates sneak attack.

-DC

 

[tburdett]

Any concealment equals no sneak attack.

 

[Magus Coeruleus]

Compare with moderate darkness, or any of the factors which grant less than total concealment. You can still target the person, but sneak attacks are negated. Displacement is no different. Any amount of concealment negates sneak attacks, whether or not you can target the creature.