A sneaky question [Archive] - Wizards Community

A sneaky question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
KelvanNailo
10-15-05, 08:42 PM I have some questions on when ranged sneak attacks apply.

I know that they work only within 30 ft. Can you flank an opponent with a ranged weapon to do sneak attack damage and what other ways can you get the sneak attack damage out of a ranged weapon?
ShinAkuma2
10-15-05, 08:53 PM You can't flank with a ranged weapon (barring unique spells/PrCs), so that's right out.

Your options include:

Catching an opponent flat-footed, as during a surprise round, or beating him in initiative.

Paralysis and Stunning spells and effects.

Having someone else grapple an opponent (though shooting into a grapple imposes a 50/50 to determine which person you hit).

The Invisibility spell, or Improved Invis, if possible.

Hiding (if you have full cover, you are effectively invisible).

That's all that comes off the top of my head...
Kendrick
10-15-05, 09:14 PM Ranged weapons don't automatically threaten. Flanking requires you to threaten the subject, so you can only flank with a ranged weapon if you have a feat, weapon (I don't know if there are any, but I'm also not positive there aren't.), or class ability that specifically allows you to threaten with a ranged weapon.
RavenDrake
10-15-05, 11:27 PM ShinAkuma2:

You forgot Blink and/or "Ring of Blinking".

Basically, without special class abilities(I don't even think feats grant this ability) you can't flank with a ranged weapon. THROWN weapons still count, as long as you're adjacent to the target... but then you won't be throwing them anyway....
Kendrick
10-15-05, 11:36 PM There is an epic feat that allows a player to threaten with a ranged weapon. No help at all if you're under 20, but the ability is available as a feat.
Tenreo
10-16-05, 01:13 PM To threaten with a ranged weapon, your choices are to be an Order of the Bow initiate, or use a ranger spell from Complete Adventurer, Arrow Mind (which, unfortunatly, only effects the caster).

Edit: And, as a side note. Also from Complete Adventurer, Sniper's Shot (first level ranger spell) allows the caster to sneak attack at any range (if requirements are met). Just one more reason to sink four levels into ranger.
ShinAkuma2
10-16-05, 02:30 PM ShinAkuma2:

You forgot Blink and/or "Ring of Blinking".

Hey, I never said my list was all-inclusive.
Lord Schpungus
10-16-05, 03:49 PM Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally.
KelvanNailo
10-16-05, 04:51 PM Is it possible to sneak attack with spells?
Shadowmind64
10-16-05, 04:57 PM to an extent yes. any spell that requires an attk roll. (scorching ray, ray of frost, etc) can both sneak attk and qualify for critical hits. In order to sneak attk you must still qualify for it. (within 30 feet, target denied dex, etc)
StormCrow42
10-16-05, 05:04 PM Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally.
Yes it does, but only for ranged attacks, not melee attacks. (see table 6-8 on page 151 of the PHB)
MachinaDeus
10-16-05, 05:11 PM Catching an opponent flat-footed, as during a surprise round, or beating him in initiative.

Paralysis and Stunning spells and effects.

Having someone else grapple an opponent (though shooting into a grapple imposes a 50/50 to determine which person you hit).

The Invisibility spell, or Improved Invis, if possible.

Hiding (if you have full cover, you are effectively invisible).

You can add Blind to that list. :)
ShinAkuma2
10-16-05, 05:17 PM You can add Blind to that list. :)

If your opponent is blind, you are effectively invisible. It's the same bonuses/penalties to attack/etc.
ShinAkuma2
10-16-05, 05:19 PM Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally.

http://srd.pbemnexus.com/combatModifiers.html

Table: Armor Class Modifiers
Defender is . . ...................... Melee.....Ranged

Grappling (but attacker is not) +0(1)......+0(1,3)

3 Roll randomly to see which grappling combatant you strike. That defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
KelvanNailo 10-15-05, 08:42 PM	I have some questions on when ranged sneak attacks apply. I know that they work only within 30 ft. Can you flank an opponent with a ranged weapon to do sneak attack damage and what other ways can you get the sneak attack damage out of a ranged weapon?
ShinAkuma2 10-15-05, 08:53 PM	You can't flank with a ranged weapon (barring unique spells/PrCs), so that's right out. Your options include: Catching an opponent flat-footed, as during a surprise round, or beating him in initiative. Paralysis and Stunning spells and effects. Having someone else grapple an opponent (though shooting into a grapple imposes a 50/50 to determine which person you hit). The Invisibility spell, or Improved Invis, if possible. Hiding (if you have full cover, you are effectively invisible). That's all that comes off the top of my head...
Kendrick 10-15-05, 09:14 PM	Ranged weapons don't automatically threaten. Flanking requires you to threaten the subject, so you can only flank with a ranged weapon if you have a feat, weapon (I don't know if there are any, but I'm also not positive there aren't.), or class ability that specifically allows you to threaten with a ranged weapon.
RavenDrake 10-15-05, 11:27 PM	ShinAkuma2: You forgot Blink and/or "Ring of Blinking". Basically, without special class abilities(I don't even think feats grant this ability) you can't flank with a ranged weapon. THROWN weapons still count, as long as you're adjacent to the target... but then you won't be throwing them anyway....
Kendrick 10-15-05, 11:36 PM	There is an epic feat that allows a player to threaten with a ranged weapon. No help at all if you're under 20, but the ability is available as a feat.
Tenreo 10-16-05, 01:13 PM	To threaten with a ranged weapon, your choices are to be an Order of the Bow initiate, or use a ranger spell from Complete Adventurer, Arrow Mind (which, unfortunatly, only effects the caster). Edit: And, as a side note. Also from Complete Adventurer, Sniper's Shot (first level ranger spell) allows the caster to sneak attack at any range (if requirements are met). Just one more reason to sink four levels into ranger.
ShinAkuma2 10-16-05, 02:30 PM	ShinAkuma2: You forgot Blink and/or "Ring of Blinking". Hey, I never said my list was all-inclusive.
Lord Schpungus 10-16-05, 03:49 PM	Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally.
KelvanNailo 10-16-05, 04:51 PM	Is it possible to sneak attack with spells?
Shadowmind64 10-16-05, 04:57 PM	to an extent yes. any spell that requires an attk roll. (scorching ray, ray of frost, etc) can both sneak attk and qualify for critical hits. In order to sneak attk you must still qualify for it. (within 30 feet, target denied dex, etc)
StormCrow42 10-16-05, 05:04 PM	Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally. Yes it does, but only for ranged attacks, not melee attacks. (see table 6-8 on page 151 of the PHB)
MachinaDeus 10-16-05, 05:11 PM	Catching an opponent flat-footed, as during a surprise round, or beating him in initiative. Paralysis and Stunning spells and effects. Having someone else grapple an opponent (though shooting into a grapple imposes a 50/50 to determine which person you hit). The Invisibility spell, or Improved Invis, if possible. Hiding (if you have full cover, you are effectively invisible). You can add Blind to that list. :)
ShinAkuma2 10-16-05, 05:17 PM	You can add Blind to that list. :) If your opponent is blind, you are effectively invisible. It's the same bonuses/penalties to attack/etc.
ShinAkuma2 10-16-05, 05:19 PM	Grappling doesn't impose a 50/50 chance to hit Ally. http://srd.pbemnexus.com/combatModifiers.html Table: Armor Class Modifiers Defender is . . ...................... Melee.....Ranged Grappling (but attacker is not) +0(1)......+0(1,3) 3 Roll randomly to see which grappling combatant you strike. That defender loses any Dexterity bonus to AC.