Sneak Attack vs Con Damage

[Thatwackyned]

When fighting ECL 12 is it better to forgo 5d6 sneak attack for 1d6 Con Damage? Just wondering what the difference is math wise. Thank you.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

When fighting ECL 12 is it better to forgo 5d6 sneak attack for 1d6 Con Damage? Just wondering what the difference is math wise. Thank you.

5d6 sneak attack is 17.5 average damage. 1d6 Con is 3.5 average Con damage.

3.5 average Con damage will cause a loss of 1.75 HP per hit die.

So, if a creature has 10 HD (e.g., almost every creature of CR 12), the HP loss (either damage or reduction) is even. But of course Con damage also has secondary effects like lowering of Fort saves.

In general, against level-appropriate creatures, 1d6 Con damage will almost always be superior to 5d6 sneak attack.

 

[Thatwackyned]

Thank you. And the Con damage gets better as the HD goes up, right?

 

[moritheil]

Thank you. And the Con damage gets better as the HD goes up, right?

Yes.

Conversely, if the creature is heavily templated, HD are lower than expected, and con damage is less effective.

 

[Shin Okada]

Also note that it is usually much easier to heal HPs than to regain damaged Ability Scores.

Simple cure spells, fast healing, regeneration, etc. do not cure ability score damages.

Also, by inflicting Con damages, you can kill creatures with regeneration ability without using appropriate energies, spells or weapons.