Assassin help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Assassin help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ArnimThayer
08-07-04, 05:22 PM Follow with me for a moment...

The definition of the Assassin PRC's Death Attack states "...makes a Sneak Attack with a MELEE weapon that successfully deals damage, the Sneak Attack has the additional effect..."

Does this mean an Assassin can never use a ranged Death Attack?

Additionally, the Rogue class has this to say about Sneak Attack... " extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target" and this to say about Uncanny Dodge "retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker."

Does this mean that the Death Attack ability never works on a rogue unless they are being flanked, (or held, paralysed, immobile or sleeping)? Does this mean that a *th level Rogue is now immune to Sneak Attacks, since she can no longer be flanked due to Improved Uncanny Dodge?

I ask because the Assassin in our party wants to Death Attack the annoying NPC in the group, who is a Rogue. Does this make him immune?
Pyriel
08-07-04, 06:26 PM well...if something cant be flanked or denied there dex bonus to ac, then they cant be subject to an sneak attack. So if you have to treat death attack as a sneak attack and to do so, you need to have the person loose there dex bonus, or be flanked...then to me it sounds like it wouldnt work on a rogue.
wolfbrother
08-09-04, 03:57 AM woah woah guys
reread the improved uncanny dodge ability "This defence denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack a character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does."

so if the assassin is four levels higher than the rogue then he can death attack. It does say "rogue" levels not character levels. i assume this is so first level rogues 19th level fighters can't flank a 15th level rogue. But since the assassin gets uncanny dodge and sneak attack, i as a DM would let the levels stack. So if yer assassins rogue levels plus assassin levels is higher than the rogue's class level then kill 'im good. But if you have an **** DM he might get fussy about that.

if he's in yer party can you just coup de grace him in the night? an assassin with a light pick and sneak attack sets a really high save or die DC. Might just kill him with the normal damage.
Egres
08-09-04, 07:19 AM But since the assassin gets uncanny dodge and sneak attack, i as a DM would let the levels stack.
You don't need to house-rule:the rules are already with you.

From the SRD:

Assassin

If a character gains uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, and the levels from those classes stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ArnimThayer 08-07-04, 05:22 PM	Follow with me for a moment... The definition of the Assassin PRC's Death Attack states "...makes a Sneak Attack with a MELEE weapon that successfully deals damage, the Sneak Attack has the additional effect..." Does this mean an Assassin can never use a ranged Death Attack? Additionally, the Rogue class has this to say about Sneak Attack... " extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target" and this to say about Uncanny Dodge "retains her Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if she is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker." Does this mean that the Death Attack ability never works on a rogue unless they are being flanked, (or held, paralysed, immobile or sleeping)? Does this mean that a *th level Rogue is now immune to Sneak Attacks, since she can no longer be flanked due to Improved Uncanny Dodge? I ask because the Assassin in our party wants to Death Attack the annoying NPC in the group, who is a Rogue. Does this make him immune?
Pyriel 08-07-04, 06:26 PM	well...if something cant be flanked or denied there dex bonus to ac, then they cant be subject to an sneak attack. So if you have to treat death attack as a sneak attack and to do so, you need to have the person loose there dex bonus, or be flanked...then to me it sounds like it wouldnt work on a rogue.
wolfbrother 08-09-04, 03:57 AM	woah woah guys reread the improved uncanny dodge ability "This defence denies another rogue the ability to sneak attack a character by flanking her, unless the attacker has at least four more rogue levels than the target does." so if the assassin is four levels higher than the rogue then he can death attack. It does say "rogue" levels not character levels. i assume this is so first level rogues 19th level fighters can't flank a 15th level rogue. But since the assassin gets uncanny dodge and sneak attack, i as a DM would let the levels stack. So if yer assassins rogue levels plus assassin levels is higher than the rogue's class level then kill 'im good. But if you have an **** DM he might get fussy about that. if he's in yer party can you just coup de grace him in the night? an assassin with a light pick and sneak attack sets a really high save or die DC. Might just kill him with the normal damage.
Egres 08-09-04, 07:19 AM	But since the assassin gets uncanny dodge and sneak attack, i as a DM would let the levels stack. You don't need to house-rule:the rules are already with you. From the SRD: Assassin If a character gains uncanny dodge (see above) from a second class the character automatically gains improved uncanny dodge, and the levels from those classes stack to determine the minimum rogue level required to flank the character.