When did Sneak Attack get upgraded?

[blargney the second]

I was just updating character sheets using the builder and noticed that Sneak Attack now says "once per turn". It surprised me enough to go grab the PHB to make sure that it did, indeed, say "once per round" at printing time.

When did that change happen?

 

[Destil]

When they released the essential thief, they changed it to match the thief's version.

Riposte Strike is a whole lot more appealing now.

 

[blargney the second]

Interesting! I think the two rogues in our party are going to be very happy about that.

 

[Destil]

Personally, I'd like to pick up my old rogue I used to play in a group with a warlord. That combo went from 'meh' to 'awesome'.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I was just updating character sheets using the builder and noticed that Sneak Attack now says "once per turn". It surprised me enough to go grab the PHB to make sure that it did, indeed, say "once per round" at printing time.

When did that change happen?

I don't get it. Isn't once per round the same thing as once per turn in 4e?

 

[Shin Okada]

When did that change happen?

First, in the following article. According to WotC, that article is indeed an official update for entire 4e line.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Changes Coming in Essentials)

Then, you can find the same update regarding Sneak Attack, in archived update files. Particularly, "Compiled Rules Updates" and "Player's Handbook" files.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Official D&D Updates Archive)

 

[Shin Okada]

I don't get it. Isn't once per round the same thing as once per turn in 4e?

Not at all.

Once per round = Once you use something, you cannot use it again until the start of your next turn.

Once per turn　= Once per someone's turn. You take (usually) one turn per round. And any of your allies and monsters (usually) take one each of their turn per round.

So, pre-update, if you applied sneak attack dice during your turn, you must wait until the start of your next turn to use it again. Thus, if you make, say, an opportunity attack before the start of your next turn, you cannot apply your sneak attack dice.

After the update, assume you applied sneak attack dice during your turn. Then your turn ends. Then an opponent takes HIS turn, and provoke an opportunity attack from you. If you hit, and have combat advantage against it, you can apply your sneak attack dice again. Because this is a different turn.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

To add some specific examples to Shin Okada's general description, the ability to use it once per turn means that you can now use Sneak Attack:

- on your own turn, but only once (without a feat or feature)
- as a granted attack from a Warlord, Shaman or Bard
- as an OA because of enemy movement or use of an area or ranged attack
- as an OA granted by Agile Opportunist or Stonefoot Reprisal
- as a result of a specific power such as Riposte Strike

 

[NewJeffCT]

This potentially makes sneak attack very powerful in the right situation, especially when you have multiple foes in a large scale combat.

 

[Prestidigitalis]

This potentially makes sneak attack very powerful in the right situation, especially when you have multiple foes in a large scale combat.

You do still have to have CA, which means it is less likely to apply to the random OA from someone moving past you. But with new feats like Cunning Stalker, Hidden Sniper and Terrain Advantage, along with the old classics like Vicious Advantage and Expert Sneak, it shouldn't be too hard. I have even heard rumors that some people still use flanking!