(Elemental) Orb + Sneak Attack...

[El_Duche]

I am a little unsure how to rule sneak attack damage from any of the (Elemental) Orbs from T&B. Here's a scenario I might soon face in my campaign. Assume that we play by the book (we do) as we are trying to evaluate as a group which rules need to be changed, and which can stay as is.

One character, an Arcane Trickster (rog4/wiz5/AT4) has an opportunity to sneak attack, and all the appropriate conditions are met (loss of dex bonus, discernable anatomy, within 30 feet, etc.). The trickster casts Acid orb, generating one or more orbs that have a maximum damage of 1d6 per caster level, and a minmum damage of at least 1d6 per orb, split any way the caster desires. A ranged touch attack is required to hit the target.

The trickster has a maximum of 9d6 damage for a single orb, and may split the orb as per the constraints above. Our question is: Is it feasible that the trickster could split the orb into 9 1d6 damage orbs (all 9 of which will be targetting one opponent), rolling ranged touch attacks for all 9 orbs, and possibly dealing his sneak attack (+1d6 from the spell) damage 9 times (if they all hit, target fails their save, no SR) against a single foe?

These orbs do not appear to have the constraints that the lesser orbs do (they specifically state that only 1 orb may strike 1 target as I recall). Are we interpreting the spell description right? I realize that the orb damage is negligible, but 9 orbs worth of sneak attack damage to a single foe is not.

Any clarifications/thoughts on this topic are greatly appreciated.

- El Duche

 

[HellHound]

I asked this very question the day after I got T&B and I was quickly reasured by the userbase here and at the WotC boards that the Sneak Attack bonus applies once per attack, and no matter how many orbs you create, it's just one attack and only the first orb gets the damage bonus.

The example always cited to me was the shuriken + sneak attack ruling.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Hellhound is correct. It is explained that way in the D&D FAQ on the WotC website.

 

[Crothian]

Yes, it's once per attack. THere are many things that this applies to like shurkins for instance.

 

[El_Duche]

Thank you all so much for your very quick replies, I have been a long time lurker and thread reader, I also visit PCat's story hour quite a bit.

After reading your replies I quickly went to the WotC site and downloaded the FAQ. That may have been my downfall...

The FAQ said that sneak attack damage is no longer limited to one attack per round. I remember multiple Shuriken threads, all of which culminated to one conclusion, sneak attack damage is dealt once per attack roll, and since you only roll one attack to throw 1,2, or 3 shuriken (if I recall correctly), you only get SA damage once.

I am seeking imput and do not want to come off as argumentative, so even though I continue with a couple more questions I do respect all your opinions. That being said here's my next (2) querries...

1. Would you recieve SA damage multiple times if you made multiple attack rolls, is it similar to recieving multiple attacks through a high BAB and a full round attack? The FAQ I downloaded seem to support this (page 6, right column, near bottom, page date 2/15/02). Again I feel this is different from the shuriken example as the rogue would make multiple attack rolls for the orbs, versus just one to-hit roll for multiple shuriken.

2. If those orbs attacked multiple targets instead of just one, say 9 orcs, and they were all flatfooted, would each orb deal SA damage to each target, or would the trickster only be able to pick one orc to deal the SA damage to?

Thanks again for all your input!

- El Duche

 

[Caliban]

Thank you all so much for your very quick replies, I have been a long time lurker and thread reader, I also visit PCat's story hour quite a bit.

After reading your replies I quickly went to the WotC site and downloaded the FAQ. That may have been my downfall...

The FAQ said that sneak attack damage is no longer limited to one attack per round.

Sneak Attack was never limited to one attack per round. You have always been able to use it with every attack you make (assuming that the sneak attack conditions are met for each attack).

I remember multiple Shuriken threads, all of which culminated to one conclusion, sneak attack damage is dealt once per attack roll, and since you only roll one attack to throw 1,2, or 3 shuriken (if I recall correctly), you only get SA damage once.

Not quite. Sneak Attack is limited to once per attack.

You can throw up to three Shuriken with one attack, but you make 3 to-hit rolls. One attack, but three to-hit rolls.

I am seeking imput and do not want to come off as argumentative, so even though I continue with a couple more questions I do respect all your opinions. That being said here's my next (2) querries...

1. Would you recieve SA damage multiple times if you made multiple attack rolls, is it similar to recieving multiple attacks through a high BAB and a full round attack?

No. While it is possible to make multiple to-hit rolls for a single attack (with shuriken or the various Orb spells), you can only do your sneak attack damage once per attack.

The FAQ I downloaded seem to support this (page 6, right column, near bottom, page date 2/15/02). Again I feel this is different from the shuriken example as the rogue would make multiple attack rolls for the orbs, versus just one to-hit roll for multiple shuriken.

It's exactly the same as the shuriken. You make multiple to-hit rolls when throwing shuriken, they just count as a single attack.

2. If those orbs attacked multiple targets instead of just one, say 9 orcs, and they were all flatfooted, would each orb deal SA damage to each target, or would the trickster only be able to pick one orc to deal the SA damage to?

Just one orc, chosen when he casts the spell.

Thanks again for all your input!

- El Duche

I hope this helps clarify it for you.

 

[El_Duche]

That's it, all I needed to know. I now know why people respect your postings so much, alot of people will post yes/no answers, but your breakdown is what helps clarify it for me. Thank you evereyone all for the help, seems I have some (bad) news for a PC (and I can breathe a sigh of relief as the DM).

- El Duche