Sneak Attack & touch spells that deal ability damage?

[RigaMortus]

I am aware that Sneak Attack stacks with touch spells that inflict damage to hit points (such as rays and inflict wounds). But what if a touch spell inflicts ability damage, or even level drain? Does this stack with Sneak Attack? Would Sneak Attack stack with Touch of Idiocy? What about Enervation?

Touch of Idiocy
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Sor/Wiz 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Living creature touched
Duration: 10 min./level
Saving Throw: No
Spell Resistance: Yes
With a touch, you reduce the target’s mental faculties. Your successful melee touch attack applies a 1d6 penalty to the target’s Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. This penalty can’t reduce any of these scores below 1.
This spell’s effect may make it impossible for the target to cast some or all of its spells, if the requisite ability score drops below the minimum required to cast spells of that level.

 

[Darklone]

Per the Tome & Blood clarification, the sneak attack dice deal damage... in the case of Enervation you would cause negative levels +Xd6 negative energy damage.

 

[Tilla the Hun (work)]

I am aware that Sneak Attack stacks with touch spells that inflict damage to hit points (such as rays and inflict wounds). But what if a touch spell inflicts ability damage, or even level drain? Does this stack with Sneak Attack? Would Sneak Attack stack with Touch of Idiocy? What about Enervation?

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong (server access to SRD denied!!) but this is relatively straight forward.

Sneak attack damage applies under the following circumstances:

1) Opponent must be denied his/her dex bonus to AC vs the sneak attacker.

and

2) The device by which the sneak attack damage is delivered must have a) an attack roll to hit and b) do damage.

Ability drains do not count, they are penalties, not damage.

I believe the Sage weighed in on this one on the side of right, also the inserts in the back of the 3.0 2nd printing, and even MC or SKR at one point.

But like I said - correct me if I'm wrong, I'm having access problems

 

[Nifft]

In 3.5, the rules explicitly state that, to Sneak Attack, you must have an Attack Roll and you must deal damage.

Under 3.0, using T&B, things are not so well reasoned.

-- N

 

[RigaMortus]

Ok, so if it were worded to cause "ability damage" (rather than a "penalty to an ability") then it would work?

 

[kreynolds]

Ok, so if it were worded to cause "ability damage" (rather than a "penalty to an ability") then it would work?

Yup. The extra damage is negative energy damage (per T&B).

 

[Magic Slim]

Wow. And I thought that only worked for critical hits. That means that an Arcane Trickster is a very nasty thing...

Slim

 

[Drasmir]

So, let me get this straight. If I'm a Rogue with 5d6 Sneak Attack and I use a Rod of Withering...

Withering: A rod of withering acts as a +1 light mace that deals no hit point damage. Instead, the wielder deals 1d4 points of Strength damage and 1d4 points of Constitution damage to any creature she touches with the rod (by making a melee touch attack). If she scores a critical hit, the damage from that hit is permanent ability drain. In either case, the defender negates the effect with a DC 17 Fortitude save.

I'll do the d4 Strength and Con damage PLUS 5d6 worth of Strength and Con damage?!? That would destroy anything that doesn't make it's save (and I LIKE it )!!!

 

[kilamanjaro]

So, let me get this straight. If I'm a Rogue with 5d6 Sneak Attack and I use a Rod of Withering...
I'll do the d4 Strength and Con damage PLUS 5d6 worth of Strength and Con damage?!? That would destroy anything that doesn't make it's save (and I LIKE it )!!!

No... You would do d4 str and con damage and 5d6 hp damage. There are examples illustrating similiar situations in Tome and Blood.

 

[kreynolds]

So, let me get this straight.

Try again.