Sneak attack when swallowed whole?

[the Jester]

If I'm swallowed whole and I have daggers in hand, do I get sneak attack damage from within the belly of the beast (so to speak)? It seems like it wouldn't get a dex bonus against me....

This has come up in the past, and the dm gave it to me, but it seems odd that a swallowed rogue is more effective inside the monster than outside.

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Well, seeing as the monster not only can't dodge you, but is also denied the benefit of all that Natural Armor, I'd assume you would be more effective inside the monster than out.

Of course, if you're not immune to acid, the monster's probably being pretty effective against you, too.

 

[Malin Genie]

I might require the character to make a Knowledge(anatomy) check to work out *where* the vital organs are in relation to the inside .....

 

[the Jester]

Well, seeing as the monster not only can't dodge you, but is also denied the benefit of all that Natural Armor, I'd assume you would be more effective inside the monster than out.

Of course, if you're not immune to acid, the monster's probably being pretty effective against you, too.

Well, I was inside a purple worm, suffering less damage each round than it was doing to me when it could bite and sting me.

 

[0-hr]

When you are trying to kill something quick, you don't generally go for the digestive system. The central nervous system, or major arteries are the key targets and none of these are easily accessible from a creature's stomach.

While it might be true that the creature cannot dodge, it is also true that poor lighting negates all sneak attacks, as does the inability to strike vital areas.

I'm surprised you're not arguing for a flanking bonus since your comrades are outside the creature

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

While it might be true that the creature cannot dodge, it is also true that poor lighting negates all sneak attacks, as does the inability to strike vital areas.

I wouldn't give them the anatomy check either; if you've just been swallowed you are probably thinking of something else.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

A Dm's Gut Call...

I would say no (And sorry for the pun). But such a thing has never come up before, so lets check the rules.

To swallow an opponent, a purple worm has to use use its Improved grab ability with its bite attack. Improved grab is an easy way to start a grapple. On page 138 of the PHB, under the grappling consequnces heading, it states the following;

Grappling Consequences
While your grappling, your ability to attack others and defend yourself is limited.
No Threatened Area: You don't threaten any area while grappling.
No Dexterity Bonus: You lose your Dexterity bonus to AC (if you have one) against opponents you arent grappling. (You can still use it against opponents you are grappling.)

If you dont lose your dexterity bonus against an opponent you are grappling, then I see no reason for a worm, dragon, etc, to lose its Dex bonus against its lunch. And in the unusual case of a swallow ability from a grapple, I would rule that the creature is not considered to be grappling its swallowed opponent.

To sum up: A Rogue involved in a grapple cannot score sneak attacks as a result of the grapple.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[the Jester]

While it might be true that the creature cannot dodge, it is also true that poor lighting negates all sneak attacks, as does the inability to strike vital areas.

I'm surprised you're not arguing for a flanking bonus since your comrades are outside the creature

I was a dwarf, so I had darkvision. I could wear my sunglasses at night and be fine...

I wasn't sure how I would've ruled on that one if I'd been dming, so I didn't even offer input to the dm on it- I just asked. Also, in the interest of good rp I cut my way out immediately and fought from outside (even though it put me in a worse tactical position).

 

[Bob Mackenzie]

Just a thought.

Is their any air inside a puple worms stomach? I'd guess not only would you be getting the acid damage but also you'd have to apply the drowning rules

Cheers

Bob

 

[Sixchan]

When you are trying to kill something quick, you don't generally go for the digestive system. The central nervous system, or major arteries are the key targets and none of these are easily accessible from a creature's stomach.

While it might be true that the creature cannot dodge, it is also true that poor lighting negates all sneak attacks, as does the inability to strike vital areas.

I'm surprised you're not arguing for a flanking bonus since your comrades are outside the creature

Hmm...if you cut a large gash in the creature's stomach, all the acid will start pouring out into the surrounding organs, right? Even it there isn't much damage, that's a hell of a lot of pain. Alternatively, if you can get it to vomit, you could stick your weapon in the stomcah lining and let the momentum carry you up, leaving a split stomach and a sliced windpipe. Of coure, this is just my guess.