How would you rule the following situation?

[shilsen]

As the title says:

A 2.5 ft tall halfling rogue and an elf are facing each other with weapons in hand, a large (5 ft square and 3 ft high) table between them. Combat has already begun, so neither is flatfooted. The rogue wants to scoot under the table and attack the elf from below, and the rogue is short enough to be able to make the move without even ducking. Would you allow sneak attack damage, due to the elf losing sight of the rogue as she attacks?

If it were two medium-size enemies and one wanted to slide under the table and attack, how would you rule it?

Thanks.

 

[Thanee]

No sneak attack in either case, unless the rogue used feinting in combat along with the move.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

However, I'd probably give the halfling rogue a +1 circumstance bonus to attack.

Bye
Thanee

 

[FireLance]

Due to the table, I would rule that both have cover with respect to each other. If the halfling makes a Hide check (at a -20 penalty) that beats the elf's Spot check, and has enough movement to scoot under the table and attack, I'd allow him to sneak attack.

If a medium-sized opponent wanted to do that, I'd let him try, but would impose the penalty for squeezing (each square of movement counts as 2 squares, -4 to attacks and AC).

 

[BSF]

I wouldn't allow Sneak Attack damage. Though Firelance has an interesting idea with the penalized hide check. The halfling could be ducking under the table to escape in a different direction, so there could be a valid reason for the hide. Still, that might fall under Bluff instead.

 

[Silveras]

Due to the table, I would rule that both have cover with respect to each other. If the halfling makes a Hide check (at a -20 penalty) that beats the elf's Spot check, and has enough movement to scoot under the table and attack, I'd allow him to sneak attack.

If a medium-sized opponent wanted to do that, I'd let him try, but would impose the penalty for squeezing (each square of movement counts as 2 squares, -4 to attacks and AC).

I'd agree with some of that .. however:

1) To sneak attack, you need to catch the opponent in a situation where s/he is denied his/her Dex bonus, or you need to be flanking him/her (3.5 PH, Rogue class, Sneak Attack ability, p50). Neither of these applies in this case. Thus, no sneak attack.

2) You cannot Hide while being watched (generally; some Class abilities allow it) (3.5 PH, Hide skill, p.76). Without using a Bluff to get the elf to look away, the halfling cannot hide. The elf knows where the halfling went, and can watch the sides of the table to see where the halfling comes out.

3) Should a Medium creature try this, I would go with the squeezing rules as well. Other than that, the same conditions I mentioned above would apply. No sneak attack.

 

[dcollins]

Agree with no sneak attack. Definitely no flanking, and I don't see any rationale for a loss of Dex in this situation because someone may have achieved a level of cover.

 

[Abstraction]

For fun, definitely have the elf jump up on the table.

 

[shilsen]

For fun, definitely have the elf jump up on the table.

I was shooting for having the warforged jump on the table, actually

 

[Jdvn1]

I'd go with Thanee's ruling myself. No sneak attack since the medium dude sees the small dude go under the table. It's not like he's not expecting an attack.