Question: Races of the Wild-Halfling Rogue Substitution Levels

[Ahnehnois]

The first halfling rogue level from RotW says that the rogue's sneak attack deals an "extra" 1d6 for ranged attacks and 1d6 less for melee attacks. Does this mean that a 1st level rogue does 2d6 ranged SA ("extra" over normal SA) or just 1d6 ("extra" over non-SA damage)? The former seems awfully powerful and the latter would mean the ability has no point to it.

I've read over the text several times and I just don't get it. Does anyone know how this ability is supposed to work?

 

[Aestolia]

It means that the first level rogue would deal +2d6 sneak on a ranged sneak attack, and 0d6 on a melee sneak attack.

At level 3 it would be 3d6/1d6, then 4d6/2d6, etc.

 

[Zurai]

Ranged sneaks are almost impossible to set up except on the first round of combat. It's hardly overpowered for what is essentially a "once per encounter" ability with such a hefty cost.

 

[Ahnehnois]

This is true, to some degree. However, a halfling's Hide modifiers make sniping a viable option in some cases, depending on the situation and the terrain.

It does seem odd that a level 1 halfling with a sling can deal a blow that does as much damage as a human with a greatsword, even if its only once in most combats.

Also, part of what is confusing me is that the table lists the ranaged SA damage as +1d6 at level 1 and so on, which seems to contradict the text. I suppose tables do that sometimes.

 

[Aestolia]

The table may be giving you the unmodified SA

1d6 (2d6 ranged / 0d6 Melee)

 

[Zurai]

It does seem odd that a level 1 halfling with a sling can deal a blow that does as much damage as a human with a greatsword, even if its only once in most combats.

Alas, another victim of "the sling is a weak weapon". Slings are quite deadly; capable of caving in a human's skull from hundreds of feet away (and they have a maximum range exceeding that of bows). At 30' on an unreacting target, I'd certainly hope the damage potential was high!

 

[Hypersmurf]

(and they have a maximum range exceeding that of bows)

Not in D&D, they don't.

-Hyp.

 

[Zurai]

Not in D&D, they don't.

-Hyp.

Did I say they did in D&D?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Did I say they did in D&D?

My mistake - I assumed that in the thread talking about the level 1 halfling rogue with the substitution level from Races of the Wild, we were talking about D&D.

-Hyp.

 

[Zurai]

My mistake - I assumed that in the thread talking about the level 1 halfling rogue with the substitution level from Races of the Wild, we were talking about D&D.

-Hyp.

Context, my good Moderatarrrrh. I was responding to someone who thought it odd that a halfling with a sling could do as much damage as a human with a greatsword.