Abraxas
Explorer
Its a great topic because the rules are so vague.mikebr99 said:
Simple.
If the character doesn't have HiPS I wouldn't allow her to make more than 1 melee sneak attack (as a result of her not being spotted, there are other ways to get more than one SA in a round that could come into play).A character with HiPS making a ranged attack does not have to snipe. She can attack while hiding in plain sight and thus can make a full round attack and a hide check at the same time (although, as I said before I would require a check after each attack).
The real problem is that the sniping mechanic was reprinted, verbatim, from Song & Silence. Song & Silence was written for 3.0. In 3.0 you couldn't hide while attacking. So the sniping mechanic was a method of bypasiing this limitation. S&S also had rules for hiding while making melee sneak attacks which also limited you to one sneak attack.
In 3.5 you can hide while attacking - however to remain hidden while making a sneak attack (ranged or melee) you are limited to 1 SA by the mechanics for cover/concealment and hiding unless you have HiPS. As to why characters without HiPS only get one attack and interaction between cover/concealment and hiding, that I have posted in the other threads.
In the end it really boils down to how restrictive you want to get on the HiPS ability and Sneak Attacks. I've had to go over these rules alot because the campaign I DM currently has 3 rogue PCs (and they are haflings to boot
) - so I have to be on my toes. And 1 or more are going into the SD prestige class.
