Size of sneak attack weapon

[radmod]

OK, this is going to be a stupid question but, unfortunately, I always have trouble remembering if a rule I use/used was 1e, 2e, a house rule, or is the current 3.5 rule.

At one point in time (2e and after), we used a rule that a sneak attack could only be performed with a light weapon (actually I think it was one size category smaller than the attacker). So, for 3.5 is there currently any restriction on the size of a weapon that can be used for a sneak attack? I simply can't remember.

 

[Dandu]

No.

 

[radmod]

Thanks, that's what I thought. One of these days I'm going to remember it and forget the old rule.

Quite frankly, I have trouble wrapping my head around the idea of someone using a two-handed sword or great axe to do a sneak attack.

 

[Starbuck_II]

2E restricted it to mostly one handed weapons (not light only/a ranged weapon had to be point blank range).

3.5 has no restriction. One can cut your artery with a greatsword or a dagger.
Unearthed arcana supports this as they invented the Sneak attack variant Fighter (sneak attack instead of bonus feats).

 

[Empirate]

Thanks, that's what I thought. One of these days I'm going to remember it and forget the old rule.

Quite frankly, I have trouble wrapping my head around the idea of someone using a two-handed sword or great axe to do a sneak attack.

Don't think backstab. It's not about stabbing somebody in the back anymore. Sneak Attacks just take advantage of the fact that your enemy can't, for some reason, concentrate his full attention on defending from your attack. He's either a little surprised at how fast you bring on the pain, or trying to balance on some slippery piece of greased stonework while dodging your attacks, or not able to see you, or must defend against multiple opponents flanking him etc.
Whatever applies in a given situation, sneak attack dice mean you've trained in exploiting your opponent's weakness to the fullest. If you're wielding a dagger, now you can take the time to plunge it where it really hurts. If you're wielding a greatsword, now you can take the time to deliver a more powerful and well-timed swing. And if you're wielding a Spiked Chain, your opponent's distraction lets you wrap it around his throat and pull.

Really, it's just a question of imagination.