Best Sneak Attack Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Sneak Attack Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
superking
07-12-06, 01:25 PM Was wondering if anyone has come up with a list of spells or would have any suggestions for potent/cool spells that qualify for sneak attack. I have been using Scorching Ray quite a bit via scrolls with my Spellthief. As far as I know anything that requires a touch attack and fills the other qualifications for SA will work. The spell must also deal some type of damage either ability or physical. Was wondering if there are some spells I am missing out on using. Plus I would like to change things up a bit.

For those that care I have taken the craven feat, that combined with my sneak attack dice and spellthief abilities make for a nasty one round punch in the face to most creatures. Lots of fun.

Thanks in advance.
Thiez
07-12-06, 01:30 PM A Fell Animate Acid Splash will do. Get a wand and enjoy.
SoldierOfFortune187
07-12-06, 01:49 PM I rather like the PHBII spell, Seeking Ray. While you forego the benefit of extra rays for higher caster levels, you get the benefit of ignoring cover / concealment (except for total), no penalties for firing into melee, and the bonus to all future ray attacks for striking the target.

Aside from that, having a ready supply of varying elemental and non-elemental damage types ensures you are prepared for many kinds of opponents.

In cases where you don't necessarily want to kill something outright, a damaging weaponlike spell with Subdual Substitution isn't a bad choice.
superking
07-12-06, 02:00 PM Seeking Ray is nice. Avoiding the concealment is huge. Looking good so far. Thanks for the recommendation, Soldier.
moto
07-12-06, 03:23 PM I have to agree with wands of acid splash and ray of frost are best. Reason is that they are dirt cheap.
ThePo
07-12-06, 06:43 PM The best spell I believe is called Wracking Touch out of the spell compendium. It deals 1d6+1 per caster level (max 5) to the opponent but if you have any sneak attack they take that too. And they don't have to be flat footed or anything. As long as they are not immune to sneak attack they are sneak attacked. Uncanny dodge? Doesn't matter. See me coming? Who cares. It works awesome.

PS-IT's a level 1 spell I think. Might be 2. Have to go check.
Kimokeo
07-13-06, 12:25 PM My killer thief/wizard has gaseous form, silent spell, still spell, and eschew materials.

I've read the spell description to allow attack spells when there is no verbal,somantic,material components involved.

As a gaseous form, hiding is easier, you can slip through cracks...

The inn is not a safe space to sleep. Out of thin air, during the night, death awakes.
Dark0001
07-29-06, 01:47 AM I've found the orb spells are great to cast while blinking. Your opponents are flat footed due to the blink, and the spell is a ranged touch...much goodness. In fact my wizards/rogue/arcane trickster cast an empowered acid orb the other night for upwards of 40d6 damage (can't remember the actual number, but a confirmed crit, and we add 50% of the dice rolled, not 50% of the total added (if that makes any sense). Its hard to hold that many dice :)
Limousine_Liberal
07-29-06, 02:32 AM If you are mainly a rogue with a few arcane levels then acid splash, ray of frost, etc. are all good. I also like the Lesser Orb spells.

If you are mainly a caster with a few rogue levels (or an Arcane Trickster) then the regular Orb spells combined with Improved Invisibility are superb.
Xyl
07-29-06, 02:52 AM I was looking for spells for my spellthief, and I came across Belker Claws in the SC. It's a touch attack that deals 2d12 damage with no save and repeats for 1 additional round per 3 caster levels, but the best part is that it's a transmutation spell - so a spellthief can learn it for one of his 2nd level spells.
Limousine_Liberal
07-29-06, 03:08 AM Belker Claws is a good spell if you don't mind being in melee range, though it is affected by spell resistance. The Orb spells from the SC (Lesser and regular) have no save and are unaffected by spell resistance.

Most (if not all) spells that work with sneak attack damage will have no save...because they already have a to-hit roll (albeit as a touch attack).
Xyl
07-29-06, 03:26 AM Spellthieves can't learn conjuration, evocation, or necromancy spells, which eliminates almost every useful attack spell that can work with sneak attack. Belker claws is notable because it's a transmutation spell.
utilitarian
07-29-06, 12:07 PM Ethereal Jaunt, Thunderlance.

Now they can't see you, can't attack you, and you can still kill thier flat-footed asses with your 15 foot ranged force weapon from the ethereal plane *grin*
BW0222
07-29-06, 12:52 PM If you can somehow get it, produce flame. Low level, fair damage, it can be used multiple times (thus you don't need to keep casting it), it can be used multiples times each round after the first round, you can use it in melee, you can use it for AoO, counts as a torch, can light stuff on fire, etc.

You need it at at least 3rd level to be that useful. At around 5th, it is great for anyone with sneak attack. A wand of produce flame at 5th, or an empowered wand of product flame is a pretty useful thing. Use magic device if you have to.

If you have a higher BAB or rapid shot, you can cast and attack once in the surprise round and, if you win initiative, you can blast away several more times in the regular round. It is also useful if you have improved invisibility, your opponent is blinded, etc.

At higher-levels, fire resistance is an issue, but for low-to-mid-levels it is pretty much the best ranged touch spell due to its duration, multiple attacks, and ability to use it in melee.
AndrasOtto
07-29-06, 02:24 PM Ethereal Jaunt, Thunderlance.

Now they can't see you, can't attack you, and you can still kill thier flat-footed asses with your 15 foot ranged force weapon from the ethereal plane *grin*

Force effects do not reach from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, only from Material to Ethereal.
utilitarian
07-29-06, 02:41 PM Force effects do not reach from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, only from Material to Ethereal.
*click click click*
Well damn, you're right. That seems kind of silly to me but oh well.
Osedox
07-29-06, 03:16 PM Cloud of knives+ Greater Invisibility is a good combo
Radijs
07-29-06, 03:32 PM Whats cloud of knives and where does it come from?
SoldierOfFortune187
07-29-06, 03:37 PM Whats cloud of knives and where does it come from?

PHBII. Free action to release a knife from the cloud at an enemy (within 30ft.) once/turn. Attacks with your caster level + key ability modifier for 1d6 +1/3 levels (+5 max) damage. Even has a generous 19-20 critical range.

The downside is that it is an actual attack roll, and not a ranged touch. Still a nice spell, though.
Witchblade
07-29-06, 04:25 PM I have been using Scorching Ray quite a bit via scrolls with my Spellthief. As far as I know anything that requires a touch attack and fills the other qualifications for SA will work. The spell must also deal some type of damage either ability or physical.
Not sure if you meant this, but Scorching Ray is a volley type spell AFAIK so you only get 1 sneak attack per casting, not per ray. Looks balanced too.
Radijs
07-29-06, 04:28 PM Unless of course your opponent is denied dex during the entire volley.
Scorching ray would be very useful to open up a fight with when you've got a surprise round and/or you're first on the initiative list.
AndrasOtto
07-29-06, 05:03 PM Stars of Arvandor from the BoED lets you fire off a [force][good] ranged touch missile each round as a free action, or you can fire 3 in one round as a standard action (you get 10 when you cast the spell)
Witchblade
07-29-06, 05:37 PM Unless of course your opponent is denied dex during the entire volley.
Scorching ray would be very useful to open up a fight with when you've got a surprise round and/or you're first on the initiative list.
Nope. Look at page 87 from Complete Arcane. Only the first attack from a volley spell benefits from sneak attack.
Radijs
07-29-06, 05:48 PM Page 86 but you're right and I was wrong.
sgt_mango
07-29-06, 06:07 PM You could look into getting a Djore of 'Crystal Shard' (from the XPH).

Range touch, no save, no SR. If you get a deluxe model, it can do multiple d6's all by itself.

...Do spellthieves get Use Magic Device? If not, then disregard unless you plan on multiclassing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
superking 07-12-06, 01:25 PM	Was wondering if anyone has come up with a list of spells or would have any suggestions for potent/cool spells that qualify for sneak attack. I have been using Scorching Ray quite a bit via scrolls with my Spellthief. As far as I know anything that requires a touch attack and fills the other qualifications for SA will work. The spell must also deal some type of damage either ability or physical. Was wondering if there are some spells I am missing out on using. Plus I would like to change things up a bit. For those that care I have taken the craven feat, that combined with my sneak attack dice and spellthief abilities make for a nasty one round punch in the face to most creatures. Lots of fun. Thanks in advance.
Thiez 07-12-06, 01:30 PM	A Fell Animate Acid Splash will do. Get a wand and enjoy.
SoldierOfFortune187 07-12-06, 01:49 PM	I rather like the PHBII spell, Seeking Ray. While you forego the benefit of extra rays for higher caster levels, you get the benefit of ignoring cover / concealment (except for total), no penalties for firing into melee, and the bonus to all future ray attacks for striking the target. Aside from that, having a ready supply of varying elemental and non-elemental damage types ensures you are prepared for many kinds of opponents. In cases where you don't necessarily want to kill something outright, a damaging weaponlike spell with Subdual Substitution isn't a bad choice.
superking 07-12-06, 02:00 PM	Seeking Ray is nice. Avoiding the concealment is huge. Looking good so far. Thanks for the recommendation, Soldier.
moto 07-12-06, 03:23 PM	I have to agree with wands of acid splash and ray of frost are best. Reason is that they are dirt cheap.
ThePo 07-12-06, 06:43 PM	The best spell I believe is called Wracking Touch out of the spell compendium. It deals 1d6+1 per caster level (max 5) to the opponent but if you have any sneak attack they take that too. And they don't have to be flat footed or anything. As long as they are not immune to sneak attack they are sneak attacked. Uncanny dodge? Doesn't matter. See me coming? Who cares. It works awesome. PS-IT's a level 1 spell I think. Might be 2. Have to go check.
Kimokeo 07-13-06, 12:25 PM	My killer thief/wizard has gaseous form, silent spell, still spell, and eschew materials. I've read the spell description to allow attack spells when there is no verbal,somantic,material components involved. As a gaseous form, hiding is easier, you can slip through cracks... The inn is not a safe space to sleep. Out of thin air, during the night, death awakes.
Dark0001 07-29-06, 01:47 AM	I've found the orb spells are great to cast while blinking. Your opponents are flat footed due to the blink, and the spell is a ranged touch...much goodness. In fact my wizards/rogue/arcane trickster cast an empowered acid orb the other night for upwards of 40d6 damage (can't remember the actual number, but a confirmed crit, and we add 50% of the dice rolled, not 50% of the total added (if that makes any sense). Its hard to hold that many dice :)
Limousine_Liberal 07-29-06, 02:32 AM	If you are mainly a rogue with a few arcane levels then acid splash, ray of frost, etc. are all good. I also like the Lesser Orb spells. If you are mainly a caster with a few rogue levels (or an Arcane Trickster) then the regular Orb spells combined with Improved Invisibility are superb.
Xyl 07-29-06, 02:52 AM	I was looking for spells for my spellthief, and I came across Belker Claws in the SC. It's a touch attack that deals 2d12 damage with no save and repeats for 1 additional round per 3 caster levels, but the best part is that it's a transmutation spell - so a spellthief can learn it for one of his 2nd level spells.
Limousine_Liberal 07-29-06, 03:08 AM	Belker Claws is a good spell if you don't mind being in melee range, though it is affected by spell resistance. The Orb spells from the SC (Lesser and regular) have no save and are unaffected by spell resistance. Most (if not all) spells that work with sneak attack damage will have no save...because they already have a to-hit roll (albeit as a touch attack).
Xyl 07-29-06, 03:26 AM	Spellthieves can't learn conjuration, evocation, or necromancy spells, which eliminates almost every useful attack spell that can work with sneak attack. Belker claws is notable because it's a transmutation spell.
utilitarian 07-29-06, 12:07 PM	Ethereal Jaunt, Thunderlance. Now they can't see you, can't attack you, and you can still kill thier flat-footed asses with your 15 foot ranged force weapon from the ethereal plane grin
BW0222 07-29-06, 12:52 PM	If you can somehow get it, produce flame. Low level, fair damage, it can be used multiple times (thus you don't need to keep casting it), it can be used multiples times each round after the first round, you can use it in melee, you can use it for AoO, counts as a torch, can light stuff on fire, etc. You need it at at least 3rd level to be that useful. At around 5th, it is great for anyone with sneak attack. A wand of produce flame at 5th, or an empowered wand of product flame is a pretty useful thing. Use magic device if you have to. If you have a higher BAB or rapid shot, you can cast and attack once in the surprise round and, if you win initiative, you can blast away several more times in the regular round. It is also useful if you have improved invisibility, your opponent is blinded, etc. At higher-levels, fire resistance is an issue, but for low-to-mid-levels it is pretty much the best ranged touch spell due to its duration, multiple attacks, and ability to use it in melee.
AndrasOtto 07-29-06, 02:24 PM	Ethereal Jaunt, Thunderlance. Now they can't see you, can't attack you, and you can still kill thier flat-footed asses with your 15 foot ranged force weapon from the ethereal plane grin Force effects do not reach from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, only from Material to Ethereal.
utilitarian 07-29-06, 02:41 PM	Force effects do not reach from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane, only from Material to Ethereal. click click click Well damn, you're right. That seems kind of silly to me but oh well.
Osedox 07-29-06, 03:16 PM	Cloud of knives+ Greater Invisibility is a good combo
Radijs 07-29-06, 03:32 PM	Whats cloud of knives and where does it come from?
SoldierOfFortune187 07-29-06, 03:37 PM	Whats cloud of knives and where does it come from? PHBII. Free action to release a knife from the cloud at an enemy (within 30ft.) once/turn. Attacks with your caster level + key ability modifier for 1d6 +1/3 levels (+5 max) damage. Even has a generous 19-20 critical range. The downside is that it is an actual attack roll, and not a ranged touch. Still a nice spell, though.
Witchblade 07-29-06, 04:25 PM	I have been using Scorching Ray quite a bit via scrolls with my Spellthief. As far as I know anything that requires a touch attack and fills the other qualifications for SA will work. The spell must also deal some type of damage either ability or physical. Not sure if you meant this, but Scorching Ray is a volley type spell AFAIK so you only get 1 sneak attack per casting, not per ray. Looks balanced too.
Radijs 07-29-06, 04:28 PM	Unless of course your opponent is denied dex during the entire volley. Scorching ray would be very useful to open up a fight with when you've got a surprise round and/or you're first on the initiative list.
AndrasOtto 07-29-06, 05:03 PM	Stars of Arvandor from the BoED lets you fire off a [force][good] ranged touch missile each round as a free action, or you can fire 3 in one round as a standard action (you get 10 when you cast the spell)
Witchblade 07-29-06, 05:37 PM	Unless of course your opponent is denied dex during the entire volley. Scorching ray would be very useful to open up a fight with when you've got a surprise round and/or you're first on the initiative list. Nope. Look at page 87 from Complete Arcane. Only the first attack from a volley spell benefits from sneak attack.
Radijs 07-29-06, 05:48 PM	Page 86 but you're right and I was wrong.
sgt_mango 07-29-06, 06:07 PM	You could look into getting a Djore of 'Crystal Shard' (from the XPH). Range touch, no save, no SR. If you get a deluxe model, it can do multiple d6's all by itself. ...Do spellthieves get Use Magic Device? If not, then disregard unless you plan on multiclassing.