Rat-bastardly... or just plain horrible? (DTW Gameday people stay out!)

[Kyramus]

Just a thought, but I was under the impression that sneak attack was only for weapon attacks. Can you tell me if sneak attack does qualify for ray attacks? This is something new to me and surprising to me. If there is any examples, i'd like to see it. Thanks.

 

[shilsen]

Just a thought, but I was under the impression that sneak attack was only for weapon attacks. Can you tell me if sneak attack does qualify for ray attacks? This is something new to me and surprising to me. If there is any examples, i'd like to see it. Thanks.

Yes, sneak attack can be used in conjunction with rays (you have to be within 30 ft., as usual when sneak attacking at range) and with touch attacks too. In general, for sneak attacking purposes you can use any spell with which you have to make an attack roll to hit.

 

[Sir Whiskers]

More ideas:

Goblin also casts resist energy (fire) and expeditious retreat on himself. At 7th level resist energy will block 20 points of fire damage per attack.

Goblin opens combat with a fireball spell, both to soften up the party and cause them to scatter (do this only if he can nail several party members with one spell).

Then he uses summon monster spells (consider giving him a wand of summon monster III or IV with only a dozen charges or so) to occupy the party's attention while moving into position to cast his scorching rays. Primary targets are anyone who can see him.

If several party members charge near him, he can cast fireball at his feet. His resist energy spell should absorb most/all of the damage.

Lastly, if things go badly, goblin runs like crazy. Probably only one or two characters will be able to keep up. If the party splits up to pursue him, they deserve whatever happens. All things considered though, I think he'll have to be very lucky to survive.

 

[Wolfspirit]

Yes, sneak attack can be used in conjunction with rays (you have to be within 30 ft., as usual when sneak attacking at range) and with touch attacks too. In general, for sneak attacking purposes you can use any spell with which you have to make an attack roll to hit.

Yep, unless they changed something in 3.5, even spells that don't do "damage" (like Ray of Enfeblement) can be used as part of a Sneak Attack, allthough the damage type is Negative Energy (as opposed to the victim losing 5d6 strength).

Unfortunately, there aren't many great Ray or Ranged Touch spells in the upper spell levels from what I've seen. On the other hand, definition of Overkill: Scoring a critical hit on a Disintegrate with Sneak Attack (SA doesn't take effect in the crit, but would still be darn cool to see).

 

[Squire James]

Most level 12 wizards in my games get See Invisibility permanently cast on them pretty quickly, especially if they were "burned" by an invisible opponent in the past. Might as well make him a Hasted, flying, invisible goblin (he might be mistaken for a PC wizard and left alone). At least then he isn't completely useless if half the party dispels/sees his invisibility.

 

[Nifft]

Yep, unless they changed something in 3.5, even spells that don't do "damage" (like Ray of Enfeblement) can be used as part of a Sneak Attack

They did change this in 3.5e. (My ruling on multi-hit single-action damage follows Manyshot, which specifies that "precision" damage -- Favored Enemy, Sneak Attack, Weapon Specialization, etc. -- only applies once.)

They also introduced the Arcane Trickster, which I'd definately use.

Goblin Rogue3/Wiz5/AT4
HD: 3d6 + 9d4
BAB: +6/+1
Base Saves: Fort +3, Ref +8, Will +8
Sneak Attack: +4d6
Wizard Caster Level: 9 (!!!)
Impromptu Sneak Attack: 1/day (!!!)

Suggested Spell List (minimal):

• Level 1: Ray of Enfeeblement, Shield, True Strike, Alarm
• Level 2: Alter Self, Spider Climb, See Invisibility, Scorching Ray
• Level 3: Dispel Magic, Fly, Heroism, Vampiric Touch
• Level 4: Stoneskin, Dimension Door, Greater Invisibility, Arcane Eye
• Level 5: Rary's Telepathic Bond, Teleport

Mmm, maybe my PCs will meet this guy... or a couple of them... evil grin

-- N

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yep, unless they changed something in 3.5, even spells that don't do "damage" (like Ray of Enfeblement) can be used as part of a Sneak Attack, allthough the damage type is Negative Energy (as opposed to the victim losing 5d6 strength).

Not quite.

Only "weaponlike spells" can inflict a Sneak Attack. A weaponlike spell must a/ require an attack roll, and b/ "deal damage".

"Deal damage" can mean hit point damage, ability damage, or negative levels. In the case of ability damage or negative levels, as you say, the extra damage takes the form of negative energy damage to hit points.

But a spell that inflicts a penalty is not dealing damage... and, in fact, Ray of Enfeeblement is the example used in the text of a spell that cannot be used to Sneak Attack.

-Hyp.

 

[Nifft]

Goblin Rogue3/Wiz5/AT4

Self-Reply! Oh yeah!

Base Abilities (based on "elite" array, racial adjustments, and +3 level-up points):
Str: 10, Dex: 12, Con: 14, Int: 18 (20), Wis: 8, Cha: 11

Feats: [Scribe Scroll], Point-Blank Shot, Spell Focus (Necromancy), Spell Focus (Enchantment), Precise Shot, Improved Familiar (Quasit or Worg)

Stuff [27kgp]: Lesser Metamagic Rod (Silent) [3kgp], Wand of Cat's Grace [4.5kgp], Headband of Intellect +2 [4kgp], Dust of Tracelessness x4 [1kgp], +1 Human Bane Shortbow [8,330 gp], Potion of Cure Light Wounds x6 [300 gp], Potion of Cure Serious Wounds x2 [600 gp], Potion of Blur x2 [600 gp], 4,670 gp worth of scrolls.


Don't forget the rest of his goblin hit squad:

2x Rogue 3/Wiz3
2x Ranger 8
4x Rogue 5
4x Fighter 5

-- N

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Take a little extra time to cast that True Strike before your first attack, just to make sure. I like leading off with a True Strike/Melf's Acid Arrow combo against a spell caster where possible, just to make further casting annoying by forcing Concentration checks from ongoing damage (at 12th level, they'll make them, but there's an off-hand chance of failure).

Have a wizard minion drop a web on them (or a ranger or druid minion use emtangle to restrict mobility, and force them to spend a round casting freedom spells or taking to the air.

Consider making at least one goblin minion a cleric, both for silence ability, and for sanctuary, so he can run around healing his buddies.