Sneak Attack with Magic.

[kreynolds]

you mean it deals 1d4 + what ever in negative levels? or 1d4 + what ever in negative energy?

As I said, it deals additional negative energy damage (i.e. the latter). So, if your sneak attack is +5d6, its all negative energy damage. This applies to energy drain spells or spells that deal ability damage.

 

[Steverooo]

There will be very few cases in which ANY spell can be used as a Sneak Attack, I think...

Spells' Verbal Components must be cast in a "strong voice" (PHB:151), and the Listen DC for normal conversation is 0 (-1/10') (PHB:71). What the DC for "strong-voiced incantations" may be, I dunno, but it surely isn't higher!

So, if you can beat a Listen Check of DC:3 or higher (enough for any Sneak Attack within 30'), I'd say that foils Surprise. Now flanking may still be possible, but...

Spell-Completion Items would work the same way, I guess. Command-Word Items you might be able to whisper to activate.

Note that Spellcasters, other than the Ranger (whose spells stink for combat) don't generally have stealth skills.

 

[Li Shenron]

There will be very few cases in which ANY spell can be used as a Sneak Attack, I think...

Spells' Verbal Components must be cast in a "strong voice" (PHB:151), and the Listen DC for normal conversation is 0 (-1/10') (PHB:71). What the DC for "strong-voiced incantations" may be, I dunno, but it surely isn't higher!

So, if you can beat a Listen Check of DC:3 or higher (enough for any Sneak Attack within 30'), I'd say that foils Surprise. Now flanking may still be possible, but...

Spell-Completion Items would work the same way, I guess. Command-Word Items you might be able to whisper to activate.

Note that Spellcasters, other than the Ranger (whose spells stink for combat) don't generally have stealth skills.

There are many many situations in which you can do a sneak attack, and surprise is not necessary.

 

[Darklone]

Easy example: Improved invisibility. Flanking with another character to use a sneakattacking chill touch or shocking grasp or Vampiric Touch! (IMHO the best spell to use with sneak attack since you don't lose your casterlevels on the damage).

Ray of frost: Wonderful to hit all those high natural AC monsters such as dragons, giants... nearly everything.

Blink is another nice spell to shoot sneakattacking spells.

 

[Hypersmurf]

There will be very few cases in which ANY spell can be used as a Sneak Attack, I think...

Opponent flat-footed.
Opponent stunned.
Opponent grappled.
Opponent tricked with Quicker than the Eye.
Opponent blind.
Caster invisible.
Caster flanking opponent with melee touch spell.
Caster Blinking.

More?

-Hyp.

 

[Antikinesis]

Opponent flat-footed.
Opponent stunned.
Opponent grappled.
Opponent tricked with Quicker than the Eye.
Opponent blind.
Caster invisible.
Caster flanking opponent with melee touch spell.
Caster Blinking.

More?

-Hyp.

Opponent fell for feint.

I tried to figure out a way to get Expert Tactician to allow a spell, but it's not coming to me.

-AK

 

[Darklone]

Opponent flat-footed.
Opponent stunned.
Opponent grappled.
Opponent tricked with Quicker than the Eye.
Opponent blind.
Caster invisible.
Caster flanking opponent with melee touch spell.
Caster Blinking.

More?

-Hyp.

Opponent paralyzed, held, climbing, swimming, sleeping, whatever.

 

[kreynolds]

Opponent paralyzed, held, climbing, swimming, sleeping, whatever.

Opponent comatose.
Opponent dead.

 

[Zhure]

I think dead opponents are immune to sneak attack. I know undead opponents are.

 

[Antikinesis]

While one could argue that the deceased opponent is denied their dexterity bonus, it seems to me that sneak-attacking the corpse would require extrapolating the "sneak attack" and "attack an object" rules to form "sneak-attack an object" rules.

I smell a house rule.

-AK