Improved Sneak Attack: good, bad or broken?

[Caliban]

As it's currently written I believe it's overpowered, and would never allow it in one of my games. It's a feat with a benefit that scales with level (as you get more sneak attack dice, the bonus damage from the feat is increasing as well).

I think it should simply grant +1d6 sneak attack damage, with a prerequisite of doing +3d6 sneak attack damage.

 

[Caliber]

Of course, the problem with making it add +1d6 of Sneak Attack damage is that there is already an Epic Level feat that does the same.

 

[hammymchamham]

Of course, the problem with making it add +1d6 of Sneak Attack damage is that there is already an Epic Level feat that does the same.

Was going to say that. Of course, I could see having the restriction of not being able to take it multiple times, where as you can take the epic version multiple times to discount the worry of repeating an Epic level feat

 

[Kraedin]

Worst case scenario (20th level rogue) it adds +10 damage per sneak attack. While the feat could be balanced, the prerequisites are way, way too low. It needs brutal prerequisites. At least 4 other feats (most of which should be bad feats, like dodge or endurance), high BAB, some 19+ ability scores, etc.

 

[Caliber]

Don't forget that Rogue Sneak Attacks increase at Epic Levels too.

This one feat could add 40, or even 100 points of damage with a high enough given Rogue. (of course if you are fighting Rogues with 100d6 Sneak Attacks, an extra +100 damage is the least of your problems. )

 

[hammymchamham]

Worst case scenario (20th level rogue) it adds +10 damage per sneak attack. .

worst case scenario I come up with it adds +20 damage. worst case on 10d6 is 60, worst case 10d8 is 80. 80-60 is 20.

unless your idea is different than mine (all 6's or 8's on the die roll)

 

[Piratecat]

It isn't the damage per sneak attack that gets me, it's the potential increase in damage per round. A high-lvl invisible rogue who is hasted may be getting three or four sneak attacks in a single round. That bonus damage adds up quickly.

 

[Darklone]

I would allow this feat if it would increase the sneak attack damage against a given group (like those well known feats that allow sneak attacks against e.g. constructs or undeads).

 

[Kraedin]

worst case scenario I come up with it adds +20 damage. worst case on 10d6 is 60, worst case 10d8 is 80. 80-60 is 20.

unless your idea is different than mine (all 6's or 8's on the die roll)

I'm talking about the increase in mean damage (10 * 4.5 - 10 * 3.5), which is higher the more sneak attack die you are rolling.

 

[reapersaurus]

As a followup question: Mercenaries also includes Superior Sneak Attack, which has Alertness, Improved Sneak Attack and BAB +8 as prereqs and steps your SA damage up by another die type (d8s are now d10s). A rogue or ninja (from Rokugan) with this feat will be truly brutal in combat

1st) why would a rogue or ninja from Rokugan especially be deadly?

2nd) What happens if someone takes Traps & Treachery's feat to get d8, also takes Improveds Sneak Attack, and also takes Superior Sneak Attack?
wouldn't that be d8-->2d6-->2d8 sneak attack?