Sneak Attack Question

[nothingpoetic]

I am contemplating how to improve a halfing rogue in a party that I am (whether he knows it or not), and have come upon a question that seems like it should be an obvious answer, yet nowhere in the PH can I find that obvious answer. So I turn to EnWorld and the great knowledge it possesses.

If Sneak Attack damage is applied by a rogue hitting a vital organ or vital spot in the body with their attack... does this mean that when wielding two weapons, and you connect on both attacks while the enemy is flanked or denied his dex bonus, that that enemy is sneak attacked twice? It makes sense to me that that would be the case, as you would be able to strike a vital spot with each weapon, however game mechanics does not normally agree with this logic so...

Does TWF get two sneak attack's or just the one for the full attack action?

 

[Herzog]

rules of the game all about sneak attacks part three:

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040302a

note, however, that for ranged attacks and volley attacks (like scorching ray) only the first attack is considered a sneak attack, as well as when attacking from being invisible/hidden.

Herzog

 

[Hypersmurf]

note, however, that for ranged attacks and volley attacks (like scorching ray) only the first attack is considered a sneak attack...

Ranged attacks in general? Not an issue. If you get to shoot four arrows in a round, and you're within 30 feet of an opponent who's denied his Dex bonus, you can Sneak Attack four times.

Volley attacks are a special case where precision damage (like Sneak Attack) is only applied once. But it's not a general rule for ranged attacks.

-Hyp.

 

[Piratecat]

There's a special joy when playing my high-lvl rogue lasher. Fire off the boots of haste, find someone to flank, and every single one of his 5-6 attacks become sneak attacks. It's like a fireball in a can.

Ahh, good times.

 

[Darklone]

Too bad you can't use GrManyshot with Scorching Ray.

 

[Herzog]

Sorry, should have been more clear.

Since you can't flank when using ranged attacks, most cases where you get sneak attack from ranged combat is when you attack while invisible (or simmilar).
Since you become visible after the first shot, all others are'nt considered sneak attacks.

However, when you fire (within 30') at someone climbing and thereby losing his dex bonus to AC, every ranged attack can be a sneak attack.

I'm not sure about multiple ranged attacks while the target is flat-footed.(NB: first round of combat, winning initiative). I guess those will also be sneak attacks....

Herzog

 

[MarkB]

I'm not sure about multiple ranged attacks while the target is flat-footed.(NB: first round of combat, winning initiative). I guess those will also be sneak attacks....

They will indeed, which is why Grease spells are your friend (anyone with less than 5 ranks in Balance becomes flat-footed whilst balancing).

 

[Hypersmurf]

Since you can't flank when using ranged attacks, most cases where you get sneak attack from ranged combat is when you attack while invisible (or simmilar).
Since you become visible after the first shot, all others are'nt considered sneak attacks.

Greater Invisibility or Blink don't have that limitation. Shooting at an opponent who is stunned, grappling (though watch the random chance to hit the wrong opponent), blind, or assorted other conditions also work.

-Hyp.

 

[moritheil]

If money is no object, blurstriking weapons vastly improve the life expectancy of a melee rogue.

 

[nothingpoetic]

so the invisibility thing, I understand how that works with ranged weapons. Does the same limitations apply to melee invisibility sneak attacks?

I mean, when a rogue makes a melee sneak attack through an invisibility spell, does he only get one attack, or does he get all of his attacks?