invisibity and sneak attacks

[Voadam]

Hello,

I have a 9th level Rogue/Ranger player with two weapons who gets 3 attacks when using full attack. He also has an invisibility ring.

He started a combat with his opponent seeing him so there was no surprise round.

He went invisible and moved silently to be next to his opponent. The opponent could not detect him but knew he was there somewhere.

When you attack invisibly the opponent is denied his dex so there can be sneak attacks.

The invisibility is broken when the character attacks.

When the rogue full attacks does this mean he gets 0,1,2, or 3 sneak attacks?

O would be if launching the attack breaks the invisibility and when the blow lands the character is not invisible and his opponent is therefore not denied his dex. Improved invis is then the only way to get the denied dex bonus from invisibility.

1 would be if the first attack is invisible then the invisibility goes away instantly before his second blow lands so his opponent is no longer denied his dex for the last two.

2 would be if the reasons for 1 were correct but the off-hand weapon strikes at the same time as the first attack.

and

3 would be if the full attack is all one attack and the opponent is denied his dex for the whole full attack.

I ran it as three but I'm now thinking 1 is correct.

Any opinions, rules quotes that would be helpful?

Here is the ring description from the srd:

Invisibility

By activating this simple silver ring, the wearer can become invisible, as the spell.

and the relevant section of the spell:

The spell ends if the subject attacks any creature.

Thanks

 

[ShadowMaster]

Each time you get "the denied dex bonus" you can sneak attack your opponent. Since all your attacks gain this bonus means that you can sneak attack with all of them. (see Wizards FAQ)

 

[chilibean]

It seems to me that option 1 is correct with a single exception.

If the attacker specifically tries to attack with both weapons simultaneously, I'd give them a -2 circumstance penalty to both attacks and let them land at the same instant (option 2).

I'd let them do the same thing when attacking from a hidden position, rather than only when invisible.

 

[Crothian]

All 3 attacks are considered sneak attacks. When an opponent is denied his dex bonus for whatever the reason, he doesn't get it back until his turn.

 

[IceBear]

Whoops - didn't read the scenario correctly

IceBear

 

[pontus]

You want the rules here? Then option 1 is the way to go. Since there is no surprise round:

On round 1:
Rogue goes invisible and sneaks up to fighter
Fighter states "Damn, where'd he go?!"

On round 2
Rogue attacks, gets a sneak-attack with first blow.
Fighter can act

 

[jontherev]

It's option 1, but why didn't he wait for a flank before attacking? Then, all of his attacks would be sneak attacks, the first at +4, the rest at +2.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Yes, it is #1.

If you want the full load of sneak attacks you need to catch the target flat-footed at the start of combat. Then the Rogue could have the suprise round partial action sneak attack and follow up with a full attack of sneak attacks if he wins initiative.

Of course the intended victim being aware of an invisible opponent out there somewhere causes initiative to begin. Therefore the Rogue only gets one sneak attack from invisibility. Flatfooted just does not apply.

At first glance it appears that the Rogue is "cheated" of sneak attacks because initiative already began. But if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. A victim that has his sword drawn and is waiting for you is much less vulnerable than one who doesn't know what he is in for.

 

[Caliban]

Option 1 is the correct one. You gain your Dex bonus towards the invisible person the instant the invisibility drops, and this occurs after the first attack.

Using both attacks at the same time is unfortunately not allowed by the rules. Either get a feat that allows it, or see if your DM will let you do it with a circumstance penalty (and maybe .5 strength bonus on both attacks).

 

[Geist]

Well since the rouge moved he only gets one attack thus only 1 sneak attack.


however if he had not moved or on the next turn did not move he would be able to gain sneak attacks on all 3 attacks.


(also the ring of invisibility does not get borken by making attacks your always invisible just like the ring in lotr. that is the reason it costs more than a normal ring of invisibility should)