Eldritch Chain and Sneak Attack

[Kae'Yoss]

If you sneak attack someone with eldritch blast, and change the blast to an eldritch chain, will you be able to sneak attack all "chain links" or only the primary target?

 

[UltimaGabe]

Hmm.... as long as the additional targets are denied their dex bonus, I'd say yes. (Of course, I can't seem to remember if the arcing attacks require attack rolls, but I'm assuming they do.)

 

[Felonious Monk]

Separate touch attacks are required for each target, so I'd say yes. The blast doesn't just jump from target to target like Chain Lightning, you aim it from target to target. I'd still apply the 50% damage penalty to the sneak attack damage though.

 

[Crothian]

THis is clearly not well covered in the rules, but I've got to say no. Other magical spells that target more then one target only get the sneak attack damage once, so I'd treat the EB like that.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Hmmm... I guess it is pretty much like Scorching Ray in that regard (and I wouldn't expect multiple sneak attacks in that case). I originally thought "no", looked over the description of Eldritch Chain, and changed my mind. I think I'll change it back.

 

[atom crash]

Edit: Rules of the Game All About Sneak Attacks (Part 4) says this:

Sometimes, you make multiple attack rolls as part of the same attack, such as when you use the Manyshot feat. When you do so, only the first attack in the volley can be a sneak attack.

...

With spell effects that allow you to make multiple attack rolls, such as the energy orb spells or the Split Ray feat from Tome and Blood, you must treat the effect like a volley -- only the first attack can be a sneak attack.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Thought so. That would have been too good. Well, those secondary targets will get their buzz yet

 

[Arrond Hess]

Edit: Rules of the Game All About Sneak Attacks (Part 4) says this:

Sometimes, you make multiple attack rolls as part of the same attack, such as when you use the Manyshot feat. When you do so, only the first attack in the volley can be a sneak attack.

...

With spell effects that allow you to make multiple attack rolls, such as the energy orb spells or the Split Ray feat from Tome and Blood, you must treat the effect like a volley -- only the first attack can be a sneak attack.

I knew I had seen something about this... somewhere. I just couldn't remember where.
So... I gotta agree with him.

 

[boolean]

Complete Arcane, p. 86.
Multiple Hits
Some weaponlike spells can strike multiple times in the same round. When the caster gets a bonus on damage with such spells (including sneak attack damage), the extra damage applies only on the first attack, whether the attack hits or not.

I'd apply the rule to spell-like abilities as well, so Eldritch Chain only sneak attacks the first target.

 

[glass]

Sometimes, you make multiple attack rolls as part of the same attack, such as when you use the Manyshot feat. When you do so, only the first attack in the volley can be a sneak attack.

Except Manyshot is only a single attack roll. Not sure about whether Skip is right about the volleys thing, but that is a terrible example.


glass.