Ignoble Death by Ray of Frost!?!

[Mulkhoran]

I know that any amount of concealment negates backstab, and I know that the creature's successful save halves the BS damage as well, and also a good chunk of monster are immune to crits/BS - but has anyone else come up with clever ways to make the Trickster choose a safer route?

Um, can someone explain this bit to me here? Because this is the first time I've heard that if you Sneak Attack with a spell, and the target saves for half, the SA damage is halved as well.

If that's what being said. If not, it looks like I'll need a translator.

 

[jontherev]

Re: Re: Ignoble Death by Ray of Frost!?!

Um, can someone explain this bit to me here? Because this is the first time I've heard that if you Sneak Attack with a spell, and the target saves for half, the SA damage is halved as well.

If that's what being said. If not, it looks like I'll need a translator.

That's what he said, but I think it is incorrect. Save for half SPELL damage, but the SA damage is bonus damage not reducable. However, a simple Endure Elements or practically ANY spell resistance would render this spell near-useless. If no spell damage gets through, no SA damage does either.

 

[The Fifth Elephant]

How many spells are both applicable for SA damage and allow a save for half damage? Generally, targetted spells don't allow saves.

 

[hammymchamham]

How many spells are both applicable for SA damage and allow a save for half damage? Generally, targetted spells don't allow saves.

The orb spells, thats just what I remember offhand

 

[The Fifth Elephant]

I'll be damned. I had forgotten that those had saves.

 

[hammymchamham]

negative energy ray does as well

 

[Hypersmurf]

Inflict Wounds, most varieties...

edit: Strictly speaking, all varieties, but the save on Inflict Minor Wounds is academic.

-Hyp.

 

[hammymchamham]

flame arrow, also I think ray of enfeblement would deal SA damage to HP (not to strength)

 

[Xarlen]

I don't believe Ray of Enfeeb allows anyting.

 

[Epametheus]

Ray of Enfeeb allows a Fort save to negate it. And since it doesn't do any damage (hell, it's not even doing real Str damage -- just an enhancement penalty), I'd say that it doesn't inflict sneak damage.

The inflict spells could certainly deal sneak damage, though..

Which brings up the question: should Harm be able to carry sneak damage? (probably not) How the hell would that even work if it did?