Invisible Blade's Uncanny Feint as a Free Action

[saucercrab]

The Invisible Blade PrC from CW gets the ability to make a feint as a free action at the 5th class level. Would a character with a +16 BAB & this ability be able to make a feint before each attack in a full attack action?

While I can find nothing to disallow it, it seems kinda'... hinky, like it's not the intention of the writers or something ('course it could be the dirty drinking water in my town that's making me think this way ). I've checked the FAQ, but not CustServ; they're about as reliable as a house made out of hay with a wolf on the prowl.

And as usual, I don't have access to search, so if threads have already happened that deal with this, please point away.

 

[Hypersmurf]

While I can find nothing to disallow it, it seems kinda'... hinky, like it's not the intention of the writers or something.

Actually, that's exactly the intention of the writer - he's stated as much in threads on the WotC board.

What isn't his intention is that someone can feint until they roll really well, then make their first attack, then feint until they roll really well, then make their second attack. It apparently didn't even occur to him that people would suggest it; he meant it to allow one feint before each attack.

-Hyp.

 

[Privateer]

Well, although normally actions can't be taken in the middle of other ones, as my understanding goes, one can still Quick Draw thrown weapons in the middle of a full attack... so I don't see why this wouldn't allow it.

However, how long does one feint last? Until the next round, right? Or is this ability different? So really, he only has to succeed once for all his attacks to be sneak-attack-ified. But he could try as many times as he likes...

Also, I don't think I have to mention Rule 0. Do I?

Edit: Well, don't I feel outclassed by Mister "I know all the rules and press reply before you do." Curse your superior-ocity, Hyp. So one per attack is it.

 

[Hypersmurf]

However, how long does one feint last? Until the next round, right?

But it only affects your next single attack.

So no, one feint can't sneakify all your attacks

-Hyp.

 

[saucercrab]

So it is this damnable drinking water! I either missed those threads or don't remember them. Okay, thanks guys. At least the enemy's BAB bonus is added to its Sense Motive check to counter the Bluff check.

Hey follow-up question:
Does anybody remember what the writer had said about the invisible blade's requirements? Like changing the feat requirements? IIRC, it had something to do with the fact that the original PrC in Dragon was ten levels, then got compressed to five in CW, losing any ranged special abilities.

 

[Hypersmurf]

So it is this damnable drinking water! I either missed those threads or don't remember them. Okay, thanks guys. At least the enemy's BAB bonus is added to its Sense Motive check to counter the Bluff check.

Right. The designer actually originally misinterpreted the new feint rules, and thought that the defender got to add Str bonus, Weapon Focus, etc as well as BAB, which was why he thought that a feint on every attack was probably balanced. When it was pointed out he had that wrong (after the class was published)... he decided it was still probably balanced

Does anybody remember what the writer had said about the invisible blade's requirements? Like changing the feat requirements? IIRC, it had something to do with the fact that the original PrC in Dragon was ten levels, then got compressed to five in CW, losing any ranged special abilities.

Try here for some relevant links.

-Hyp.

 

[saucercrab]

Ah, domo arigato, Mr. Smurf-boto.

 

[Darkness]

At least the enemy's BAB bonus is added to its Sense Motive check to counter the Bluff check.

Indeed. Sense Motive isn't the most common monster skill so they'd lose pretty much by default otherwise. I think some Outsiders have it, though.

 

[UltimaGabe]

Indeed. Sense Motive isn't the most common monster skill so they'd lose pretty much by default otherwise. I think some Outsiders have it, though.

Extremely few creatures in the Monster Manual (or even really important NPCs in campaign setting books and the like) have ranks in Sense Motive, or even any sort of knowledge skills (even when they're supposed to be extremely knowledgable on the planes, or magic, or religion, but they haven't got a single rank, so by the RAW, can't even use the skill at all). Sometimes the game designers are just full of crap.

 

[the Jester]

Well, speaking as the dm of an epic group (grown from 1st level!) that includes an invisible blade, the character is very cool. The uncanny feint before each attack is ruthless, but the last few games have demonstrated that for it to matter, you have to reach the battle (and make any necessary Will saves).

Keep in mind that there are tons of things immune to sneak attack anyhow.