Sneak attack and metamagic.

[likuidice]

Do metamagic feats also affect sneak attack dice? for example, a maximised empowered shocking grasp cast by a 20th level arcane trickster (7d6 sneak dice) would do 117 points of damage in a sneak attack, or 45 +7d6 if the dice are not maximised.

the feat states that all variable numeric effects are affected, and sneak attack simply states that the attack deals extra damage if the conditions are met.The damage is also from the same source and type.

any thoughts?

 

[MichaelH]

Metamagic feats apply to the spells variable numeric effects. Sneak attack is not part of the spell's variable numeric effects. It adds extra dice of damage to the attack. That is why sneak attack dice are not multiplied in critical hits, for example.

Also, a maximized empowered shocking grasp does not deal 45 points of damage. It deals 30 points of damage (maximized) plus 50% of your 5d6 dice roll. Empowered spell does not piggy back on top of maximize. You have to roll the dice to see what the empowered feat gives you.