Skullclan Hunter ?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

At 2nd-lvl, the Skullclan Hunter prestige class (from the Miniatures Handbook, pp. 20-21) gains the Divine Strike ability, which is:

"... a special attack infused with positive energy. Effectively, this ability allows him to deal extra damage to undead as though making a sneak attack."

When I first read this ability, I took it to mean that a rogue's sneak attack ability could be applied against undead. But now when I reread it, I'm wondering if the extra damage is only on sneak attacks or if it is on any/all attacks (which seems kinda overpowered to me).

Does the "as though" part mean, as per normal sneak attack rules (e.g. requiring the undead to be flanked or denied its Dex bonus), or does it mean extra damage dice applied as per sneak attacks (e.g. no doubling on criticals)?

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Did you check the FAQ?

I hear their opinions are more legitimate than ours.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Yup. It's not in there.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Since I don't have the MiniHB, is it possible for you to post the full text of the ability?

There's something similar in Complete Adventurer; it's a series of spells that specifically allow you to use your Sneak Attack against creatures that normally wouldn't be affected (constructs and undead). Other than thatt still follows all the normal SA rules, however.

From what you've posted, I can't tell if the ability is a special form of sneak attack (i.e., 2nd: Divine Strike +1d6; 4th: Divine Strike +2d6) or if its an ability that allows him to SA undead (2nd: Divine Strike).

 

[Yeoman]

Based on what is in the Miniatures Handbook, I would say it allows sneak attacks to be used normally (Denied dex bonus or flanking) against the undead. The intent seems pretty clear, even if the wording isn't.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Divine Strike (Ex): Due to his specialized skill, training, and connection with the forces of light, a skullclan hunter of 2nd level or higher can make a special attack that is infused with positive energy. Effectively, this ability allows him to deal extra damage to undead as though making a sneak attack. Divine strike damage applies to any sneak attack dice the skullclan hunter already has, as well as those gained through advancement in this class.

It's the only ability they get at 2nd-level.

 

[brehobit]

I've always read it as doing the extra damage against undead no matter what.

 

[werk]

I've always read it as doing the extra damage against undead no matter what.

Yeah, allows him to deal extra damage to undead as though making a sneak attack doesn't mean extra damage on a sneak attack. Largely because a rogue can only sneak attack living creatures with discernible anatomies (excluding undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures). So he still cannot sneak attack undead, but he can deal sneak attack damage though this special ability. I'd call it a work around

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

OK, on reading that rules text, I expect somewhere else that there's another limitation like X / day (or, "as a Standard action, etc.").

Given:

Effectively, this ability allows him to deal extra damage to undead as though making a sneak attack.

It looks like he is capable of doing this damage any time he'd normally make a sneak attack. Moreover, Divine Smite's ability to Sneak undead also applies to any additional SA damage the chracter might possess.