Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ka'el 07-12-07, 08:09 PM	Hey just a quick question. When I play D&D my DM rules the following: a rogue can backstab an oponent when he is flat footed, usualy suprised opponents at the start of combat action. Also when a rogue is flanking an oponent with another character, he can backstab it with a +2 bonus. I've recently begun DMing and I'm rechecking the rules we use, I always thought doubtful of.
Dalthbar 07-12-07, 08:12 PM	When you flank someone, there's a +2 flanking bonus to attack. Anyone, including non-rogues gain this bonus. The only reason that rogues are noteworthy when flanking, of course, is because they get their sneak attack damage as well.
Nezkrul 07-12-07, 10:38 PM	Also, the rogue gets sneak attack damage against any targets he hits that are "flat-footed" for that attack. This is common during the surprise actions before an encounter, as well as the first initiative round of the encounter - any creature that has not yet acted during the encounter is still flat-footed. This is why having a large initiative bonus makes rogues nasty.
Colmarr 07-13-07, 12:30 AM	Your DM is correct, although the term "backstab" is not used in 3rd edition D&D. The appropriate term is "sneak attack". A rogue can sneak attack (barring specific exceptions) when they are flanking their opponent, or their opponent is denied their dexterity bonus to armor class. There are lots of ways that an opponent can be denied their dex bonus to AC, but some examples include being flatfooted, being paralysed and being grappled.