Sudden Strike and ToB Maneuvers

[Corwin of Amber]

I'm trying to design a a Ninja character with a few actual levels of ninja, in order to try out Ghost Step. I plan to take a few levels of Swordsage to get Assassin's Stance, plus some other Shadow Hand fun. My questions concern ToB maneuvers.

(1) Does SS apply when using maneuvers on a flat-footed target? (I would assume yes since it is an attack and it applies on rays.)

(2) If the maneuver says that the target becomes flat-footed until his next turn on a failed save, but was otherwise not flat-footed on initiation, will he take SS damage?

(3) Sapphire Nightmare Blade says your opponent is flatfooted against that attack, but when do you decide if SS would be added, upon beginning the maneuver or resolving it? (Bear with me, I play MTG so I think in terms of 'The Stack.')

(4) If I choose to go Warblade instead, and use Martial Stance/Study to gain Assassins Stance, would I count as having a swordsage level of 5 with 6 Ninja/2 Warblade levels or would it be a Warblade level of 5 and a Swrodsage level of 4? (1/2*6 + 2 = 5 Warblade or 1/2*8 = 4 Swordsage?)

(5) Does the concealment from Child of Shadows stance count in making an opponent flat-footed against your attack?

Thank You.

 

[Runestar]

(1) Does SS apply when using maneuvers on a flat-footed target? (I would assume yes since it is an attack and it applies on rays.)

Yes, they are attacks like anything else involving an attack roll.

(2) If the maneuver says that the target becomes flat-footed until his next turn on a failed save, but was otherwise not flat-footed on initiation, will he take SS damage?

I would say no, since I rule that sneak attack damage is dealt in the same window as your normal damage, while the flat footed condition is applied after damage is dealt.

(3) Sapphire Nightmare Blade says your opponent is flatfooted against that attack, but when do you decide if SS would be added, upon beginning the maneuver or resolving it? (Bear with me, I play MTG so I think in terms of 'The Stack.')

Sneak attack would be "resolved" when your attack hits and damage is being rolled. In this case, sneak attack would apply, since SNB states that the foe is supposed to be treated as such against said attack.

(4) If I choose to go Warblade instead, and use Martial Stance/Study to gain Assassins Stance, would I count as having a swordsage level of 5 with 6 Ninja/2 Warblade levels or would it be a Warblade level of 5 and a Swrodsage level of 4? (1/2*6 + 2 = 5 Warblade or 1/2*8 = 4 Swordsage?)

Initiator lv make no distinction of whether it is swordsage or warblade or crusader. Being a ninja6/warblade2 gives you an IL of 5, allowing you to select any 3rd lv maneuver/stance, even if they were acquired via martial study and do not belong to the warblade schools.

(5) Does the concealment from Child of Shadows stance count in making an opponent flat-footed against your attack?

Concealment won't make your opponent flat-footed against you, unless you succeed on a hide check (and I don't think you can hide in your own concealment granted by child of shadows).

 

[Empirate]

I think you can hide in the Concealment granted by Child of Shadows. You only need some sort of Concealment or Cover in order to hide.

However, hiding is "usually" part of movement (see below) and seems to take a move action whenever it isn't (the only reference to this are the sniping rules).

Also, when you're in melee, your opponent is pretty much guaranteed to be "aware" of you, so you either need Hide in Plain Sight, or you must make a Bluff check to create a diversion. Again, it would seem you must move in order to hide. This is impractical in melee to say the least. But possible.

Hide (Dex; Armor Check Penalty)

Check

Your Hide check is opposed by the Spot check of anyone who might see you. You can move up to one-half your normal speed and hide at no penalty. When moving at a speed greater than one-half but less than your normal speed, you take a -5 penalty. It’s practically impossible (-20 penalty) to hide while attacking, running or charging.
A creature larger or smaller than Medium takes a size bonus or penalty on Hide checks depending on its size category: Fine +16, Diminutive +12, Tiny +8, Small +4, Large -4, Huge -8, Gargantuan -12, Colossal -16.
You need cover or concealment in order to attempt a Hide check. Total cover or total concealment usually (but not always; see Special, below) obviates the need for a Hide check, since nothing can see you anyway.
If people are observing you, even casually, you can’t hide. You can run around a corner or behind cover so that you’re out of sight and then hide, but the others then know at least where you went.
If your observers are momentarily distracted (such as by a Bluff check; see below), though, you can attempt to hide. While the others turn their attention from you, you can attempt a Hide check if you can get to a hiding place of some kind. (As a general guideline, the hiding place has to be within 1 foot per rank you have in Hide.) This check, however, is made at a -10 penalty because you have to move fast.
Sniping

If you’ve already successfully hidden at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack, then immediately hide again. You take a -20 penalty on your Hide check to conceal yourself after the shot.
Creating a Diversion to Hide

You can use Bluff to help you hide. A successful Bluff check can give you the momentary diversion you need to attempt a Hide check while people are aware of you.
See also: epic usages of Hide.
Action

Usually none. Normally, you make a Hide check as part of movement, so it doesn’t take a separate action. However, hiding immediately after a ranged attack (see Sniping, above) is a move action.
Special

If you are invisible, you gain a +40 bonus on Hide checks if you are immobile, or a +20 bonus on Hide checks if you’re moving.
If you have the Stealthy feat, you get a +2 bonus on Hide checks.
A 13th-level ranger can attempt a Hide check in any sort of natural terrain, even if it doesn’t grant cover or concealment. A 17th-level ranger can do this even while being observed.