AoO or Sneak Attacks while Prone [Archive] - Wizards Community

AoO or Sneak Attacks while Prone [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
toucanbuzz
02-25-08, 10:06 AM Is there any reason/rule as to the ability to make attacks of opportunity or sneak attacks while prone? Can you still threaten a space while lying on the ground?

The definition of "prone" doesn't mention anything, but I'm trying to figure if it would make sense.
Shaggy_Shaggs
02-25-08, 10:18 AM No rule against it that I'm aware of, and it makes sense that a threatening target is still threatening when they're grounded. I might be tempted to houserule that bigger creatures have their reach reduced as if they were Size (long) rather than Size (tall) when prone, though.

Keep in mind AoOs would be made at the standard -4 penalty for attacking while prone, and that may not work out well for the rogue with the mediocre BAB anyway.
Legdiwena
02-25-08, 01:52 PM No sneak attack if you are taking the -4 penalty, right?
foxtail
02-25-08, 02:02 PM No sneak attack if you are taking the -4 penalty, right?

I don't recall any rules about sneak attack that prevent you from making one when you have an attack penalty. When you're prone, you keep your normal reach. If a creature within that reach is denied their Dex bonus to AC, you can make a sneak attack against them.
EvilVegan
02-25-08, 02:07 PM Cover causes -4 penalty to hit and blocks attacks of opportunity.

Attacking with a lethal weapon and accepting -4 to hit to deal non-lethal damage prevents sneak attack.

Those are the only two relevant -4 penalties I can think of that block either AoO or sneak attacks.
Legdiwena
02-25-08, 02:08 PM If you can't use your weapon to full potential (penalty from doing non-lethal with a lethal weapon), I think you should have same when taking penalty from striking from an awkward position (prone on ground).
Shaggy_Shaggs
02-25-08, 04:36 PM That's a step down a slippery slope...
foxtail
02-26-08, 12:34 AM Personally, I don't think rogues need to be denied their SA any more often than they already are.
Johannixx
02-26-08, 12:59 AM The only restriction I can think of is that the rogue needs to be able to hit a vital spot to cause SA damage. This is mentioned with regards to larger creatures, where the rogue could only reach their legs. This might come into play against a prone rogue, but if his weapon could conceivably hit the femoral artery, I'd still allow it.
groveborn
02-26-08, 01:06 AM The rules are fairly clear on when you can and cannot add sneak attack damage.

You may add it whenever a monster (that can be sneaked) is vulnerable, such as loss of Dex bonus to AC, and while flanking.

You may not add it when the monster is able to dodge your attacks (dex bonus), and can concentrate on your attacks (no flanking), or when you utilize a lethal weapon for nonlethal damage.

I know of no rules that specify any other limitation, aside from some very specific things, of which is not prone. The rules on being prone would indicate if it disallowed sneak attack, as would the rules on sneak attack.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
toucanbuzz 02-25-08, 10:06 AM	Is there any reason/rule as to the ability to make attacks of opportunity or sneak attacks while prone? Can you still threaten a space while lying on the ground? The definition of "prone" doesn't mention anything, but I'm trying to figure if it would make sense.
Shaggy_Shaggs 02-25-08, 10:18 AM	No rule against it that I'm aware of, and it makes sense that a threatening target is still threatening when they're grounded. I might be tempted to houserule that bigger creatures have their reach reduced as if they were Size (long) rather than Size (tall) when prone, though. Keep in mind AoOs would be made at the standard -4 penalty for attacking while prone, and that may not work out well for the rogue with the mediocre BAB anyway.
Legdiwena 02-25-08, 01:52 PM	No sneak attack if you are taking the -4 penalty, right?
foxtail 02-25-08, 02:02 PM	No sneak attack if you are taking the -4 penalty, right? I don't recall any rules about sneak attack that prevent you from making one when you have an attack penalty. When you're prone, you keep your normal reach. If a creature within that reach is denied their Dex bonus to AC, you can make a sneak attack against them.
EvilVegan 02-25-08, 02:07 PM	Cover causes -4 penalty to hit and blocks attacks of opportunity. Attacking with a lethal weapon and accepting -4 to hit to deal non-lethal damage prevents sneak attack. Those are the only two relevant -4 penalties I can think of that block either AoO or sneak attacks.
Legdiwena 02-25-08, 02:08 PM	If you can't use your weapon to full potential (penalty from doing non-lethal with a lethal weapon), I think you should have same when taking penalty from striking from an awkward position (prone on ground).
Shaggy_Shaggs 02-25-08, 04:36 PM	That's a step down a slippery slope...
foxtail 02-26-08, 12:34 AM	Personally, I don't think rogues need to be denied their SA any more often than they already are.
Johannixx 02-26-08, 12:59 AM	The only restriction I can think of is that the rogue needs to be able to hit a vital spot to cause SA damage. This is mentioned with regards to larger creatures, where the rogue could only reach their legs. This might come into play against a prone rogue, but if his weapon could conceivably hit the femoral artery, I'd still allow it.
groveborn 02-26-08, 01:06 AM	The rules are fairly clear on when you can and cannot add sneak attack damage. You may add it whenever a monster (that can be sneaked) is vulnerable, such as loss of Dex bonus to AC, and while flanking. You may not add it when the monster is able to dodge your attacks (dex bonus), and can concentrate on your attacks (no flanking), or when you utilize a lethal weapon for nonlethal damage. I know of no rules that specify any other limitation, aside from some very specific things, of which is not prone. The rules on being prone would indicate if it disallowed sneak attack, as would the rules on sneak attack.