Imprecise wording -- "one attack" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Imprecise wording -- "one attack" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tichrimo
01-25-08, 12:08 AM In our game, we've found a couple of special abilities that have similar wording, but we can't agree on the precise benefit.

Arcane Trickster's "impromptu sneak attack" ability (from the SRD), or the Ranger "distracting attack" alternate class feature (from PH2) both say that the benefit of the power works for "one attack". Does that mean "one attack from your attack routine if you have a BAB high enough to allow iterative attacks in a full attack action" or does it mean "one attack or full attack from a single character; one player's turn"?
weasel0
01-25-08, 12:39 AM The ISA is still just a SA. It's got an exception as to when it can be used but does not change the how it is used. As such, it follows the same rules as normal SA and only applies "only against that attack." ... also it does say........declare one melee or ranged attack he makes to be a sneak attack... It says, one attack. If it meant a full attack (which is not an attack but a full-round action), it would say so.

I would think the Rangers ability works the same thing.
strenoth
01-25-08, 02:50 AM it means one single attack, but does not limit it to a standard action that I see, thus you could make a full-attack routine, and select any one attack of that set to ne the target/carry the ability.
Voran
01-27-08, 04:49 PM Or, like the case with the scout, you do something that lets you technically make one attack, but use Manyshot to fire off 2 attacks that would benefit from your skirmish type SA bonus.

In this case tho, yeah, it doesn't prevent you from making a full attack, but you'll only get that bonus SA on the first attack of the sequence.
Evil DM Mk3
01-27-08, 05:55 PM I always rule that it applies to one attempt to roll a d20 and deal damage. How you got that roll matters not.
eamon
01-28-08, 07:23 AM I always rule that it applies to one attempt to roll a d20 and deal damage. How you got that roll matters not.

Yeah. I even often call that an "attack roll" ;).
Tichrimo
01-29-08, 11:12 PM Heh. Sarcasm.

Anyhoo, thanks. We'd ruled similarly, but thought I'd run it through the mill just to be certain.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tichrimo 01-25-08, 12:08 AM	In our game, we've found a couple of special abilities that have similar wording, but we can't agree on the precise benefit. Arcane Trickster's "impromptu sneak attack" ability (from the SRD), or the Ranger "distracting attack" alternate class feature (from PH2) both say that the benefit of the power works for "one attack". Does that mean "one attack from your attack routine if you have a BAB high enough to allow iterative attacks in a full attack action" or does it mean "one attack or full attack from a single character; one player's turn"?
weasel0 01-25-08, 12:39 AM	The ISA is still just a SA. It's got an exception as to when it can be used but does not change the how it is used. As such, it follows the same rules as normal SA and only applies "only against that attack." ... also it does say........declare one melee or ranged attack he makes to be a sneak attack... It says, one attack. If it meant a full attack (which is not an attack but a full-round action), it would say so. I would think the Rangers ability works the same thing.
strenoth 01-25-08, 02:50 AM	it means one single attack, but does not limit it to a standard action that I see, thus you could make a full-attack routine, and select any one attack of that set to ne the target/carry the ability.
Voran 01-27-08, 04:49 PM	Or, like the case with the scout, you do something that lets you technically make one attack, but use Manyshot to fire off 2 attacks that would benefit from your skirmish type SA bonus. In this case tho, yeah, it doesn't prevent you from making a full attack, but you'll only get that bonus SA on the first attack of the sequence.
Evil DM Mk3 01-27-08, 05:55 PM	I always rule that it applies to one attempt to roll a d20 and deal damage. How you got that roll matters not.
eamon 01-28-08, 07:23 AM	I always rule that it applies to one attempt to roll a d20 and deal damage. How you got that roll matters not. Yeah. I even often call that an "attack roll" ;).
Tichrimo 01-29-08, 11:12 PM	Heh. Sarcasm. Anyhoo, thanks. We'd ruled similarly, but thought I'd run it through the mill just to be certain.