death attack and Attack of opportunity? [Archive] - Wizards Community

death attack and Attack of opportunity? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Link182
07-31-07, 03:29 AM Can an assassin make an Death Attack if he has studied the 3 rounds and an attack of opportunity presents itself against that foe?
Probably an unusual circumstance but in my last game, an invisible assassin wanted to make his death attack when a mage was fighting an elemental by casting a spell. He actually couldn't have done it, as he was wasn't threatening the mages square but was in position to make a ranged death attack as he was within 30' of that mage, behind her and invisible.
runestar
07-31-07, 08:05 AM A death attack must be made with a melee weapon, so it cannot be a ranged attack.

But otherwise, yes, a death attack could be made in an AoO.
Rude
07-31-07, 03:52 PM Death attacks must be made with a melee weapon? I don't think I saw that. I know it can only be made when the assassin can perform a sneak attack but those can be made ranged. Is the melee thing specified somewhere?
TiwazTyrsfist
07-31-07, 06:10 PM It does specifically say, "...studies his victim for three rounds, then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that deals damage..."

So, A> yes, RAW it does have to be a melee attack, not ranged, and B> Yes, if you study a target for three rounds, then they present you with an opportunity to make an AoO Sneak Attack, you can make it a Death Attack.
Link182
07-31-07, 07:16 PM Man. My PC is not going to be happy
runestar
07-31-07, 10:42 PM I suppose that you could make an death attack with a thrown weapon, depending on how creatively you interpret the line "attack with a melee weapon", since melee weapons can be thrown.:D

Anyways, you don't threaten with ranged attacks anyways, so even if the mage would normally provoke an AoO by casting a spell, you won't get a free range attack against him since you won't threaten with your bow or whatever.
Link182
07-31-07, 11:59 PM True indeed. I'm now trying to find out about ranged death attacks. My PC has the Crossbow Sniper feat, which allows him to extend the range of sneak attacks with a crossbow. I guess I'm gonna say that he's gotta make death attacks with a melee weapon unless I can find a rule which states otherwise
Legdiwena
08-01-07, 02:06 PM But don't you take a penalty with throwing a melee weapon and can't do precision damage since you can't use it to full benefit?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Link182 07-31-07, 03:29 AM	Can an assassin make an Death Attack if he has studied the 3 rounds and an attack of opportunity presents itself against that foe? Probably an unusual circumstance but in my last game, an invisible assassin wanted to make his death attack when a mage was fighting an elemental by casting a spell. He actually couldn't have done it, as he was wasn't threatening the mages square but was in position to make a ranged death attack as he was within 30' of that mage, behind her and invisible.
runestar 07-31-07, 08:05 AM	A death attack must be made with a melee weapon, so it cannot be a ranged attack. But otherwise, yes, a death attack could be made in an AoO.
Rude 07-31-07, 03:52 PM	Death attacks must be made with a melee weapon? I don't think I saw that. I know it can only be made when the assassin can perform a sneak attack but those can be made ranged. Is the melee thing specified somewhere?
TiwazTyrsfist 07-31-07, 06:10 PM	It does specifically say, "...studies his victim for three rounds, then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that deals damage..." So, A> yes, RAW it does have to be a melee attack, not ranged, and B> Yes, if you study a target for three rounds, then they present you with an opportunity to make an AoO Sneak Attack, you can make it a Death Attack.
Link182 07-31-07, 07:16 PM	Man. My PC is not going to be happy
runestar 07-31-07, 10:42 PM	I suppose that you could make an death attack with a thrown weapon, depending on how creatively you interpret the line "attack with a melee weapon", since melee weapons can be thrown.:D Anyways, you don't threaten with ranged attacks anyways, so even if the mage would normally provoke an AoO by casting a spell, you won't get a free range attack against him since you won't threaten with your bow or whatever.
Link182 07-31-07, 11:59 PM	True indeed. I'm now trying to find out about ranged death attacks. My PC has the Crossbow Sniper feat, which allows him to extend the range of sneak attacks with a crossbow. I guess I'm gonna say that he's gotta make death attacks with a melee weapon unless I can find a rule which states otherwise
Legdiwena 08-01-07, 02:06 PM	But don't you take a penalty with throwing a melee weapon and can't do precision damage since you can't use it to full benefit?