sniper shot spell question

[RigaMortus2]

Or +5d6 vs +4d8.

5d6 has an average of 17.5 and a max of 30. 4d8 has an average of 18 and a max of 32.

Does 4d8 exceed 5d6?

And can a d8 of ranged precision be used for a feat like Arterial Strike, that works when you sacrifice 1d6 of sneak attack damage?

-Hyp.

You're the rules guru, you tell me

 

[LokiDR]

I'm starting to think this would have been easier if that last line hadn't been in the description.

 

[lgburton]

I'm starting to think this would have been easier if that last line hadn't been in the description.

welcome to why I asked the question in the first place!

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I think Hypersmurf is right to point out that a rogue with +3d6 sneak attack also has +2d6 sneak attack and +1d6 sneak attack. He doesn't lose the previous abilities, but they are rendered redundant by the overlap rules. So a rogue with +3d6 sneak attack can satisfy a +1d6 sneak attack prerequisite, but a hypothetical character has +1d12 sneak attack couldn't, nor could someone with +3d8 sneak attack. So RP is right out.

 

[ARandomGod]

...
Does 4d8 exceed 5d6?
...
And can a d8 of ranged precision be used for a feat like Arterial Strike, that works when you sacrifice 1d6 of sneak attack damage?

-Hyp.

If I were to allow RP to count for sneak attacks in such cases, I'd require the number of dice to the same, not the average, or maximum. (In other words, the *minumum* seems as important to me. 4d8 has a min of 4, 5d6 a min of 5, so you must be garunteed at least a five as well as have a max at or above).

Could it be used for such feats? Well, if I allowed it to be used as a requirement for PrC's I'd personally feel obligated to allow it for feats. Of course, in so saying, as a GM I reserve the right to refuse any PrC or feat to anyone. Sometimes even on a case by case bases.