Ray of Enfeeblement & sneak attacks

[TheEvil]

Hopefully someone can answer this in the next 15 minutes or so, be for the game tonight.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that your could sneak attack with a Ray of Enfeeblement, and that it did negitive energy damage. Have I just been spending too much time using mind-affecting substances? References are always good.

Thanks!

 

[Pyrex]

No. You can't sneak attack with Ray of Enfeeblement (or, for example Touch of Idiocy, Ray of Fatigue, etc).

You can however sneak attack with any spell that both requires an (touch) attack roll and deals damage.

RoE doesn't work because it doesn't do any damage. It temporarily inflicts an enhancement penalty to STR.

If you need a spell to sneak attack with, you can use Ray of Frost, Acid Orb, Scorching Ray, Vampiric Touch, Disintigrate and any other spell that requires an attack roll and does damage.

 

[Patlin]

Enervation is the one that does negative energy damage on a sneak attack, since negative levels (or ability damage, as opposed to an enhancement penalty) count as damage.

There's a "rules of the game" on the Wizards sight that should help you out if you need more.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

again:

no attack roll and whatever: no sneak attack
attack roll and penalty: no sneak attack
attack roll and damage: sneak attack.

AR

 

[Hypersmurf]

RoE doesn't work because it doesn't do any damage. It temporarily inflicts an enhancement penalty to STR.

Quibble - in 3.5, it's just a penalty, not an enhancement penalty.

-Hyp.

 

[TheEvil]

Enervation is the one that does negative energy damage on a sneak attack, since negative levels (or ability damage, as opposed to an enhancement penalty) count as damage.

There's a "rules of the game" on the Wizards sight that should help you out if you need more.

AH! That must be the one I am half-remembering. No more mind-affecting substances for me (eh, who am I kidding).

Thanks for the quick responses