Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Chrono Nexus 02-13-07, 11:12 AM	No, this is not based on real Japanese legends. I was just thinking over the idea behind sneak attacks. 1. Sneak attacks target weak points in a creature with a discernible anatomy for "massive damage". 2. How does a rogue gain knowledge of the anatomy of, say, an abomination? It's entirely alien to anything else. I was thinking that some kind of knowledge check might need to be made for a rogue (or ninja, whatever) to find the weak points. If I implemented this, do you think it would be a good idea to include other types, such as undead, constructs, and oozes at a higher dc? This would allow a character to sneak attack monsters he would normally be unable to by sacrificing skill ranks and making those knowledge checks successfully. I'll be finishing this later, please post your thoughts on this.
Fargren 02-13-07, 11:23 AM	The overall idea seems fine, if you allow sneak attacking undead, constructs, and oozes ata higer levels...
FoxmanFX 02-13-07, 11:35 AM	When enountering a creature type a rogue has never seen before, a knowledge check DC (10 + HD) seems appropriate - or maybe a bardic lore check. Heck maybe the bard can call out to the rogue: "Go for the wobbly thing behind the leg!!!" A ranger with a favored enemy should genearly be able to sneak attack (if available/appliciple) their favored enemy. You may wish to consider the following for rangers: Rangers gain Trained hunter at the same point they gain a favored enemy. Trained Hunter (Ex): A ranger knows facts about their Favored Enemy. This ability functions just like an appropriate Knowledge check to identify creatures and their special powers or vulnerabilities. The ranger rolls 1d20 and adds their ranger level, their Intelligence modifier and their Favored Enemy bonus to determine the Trained Hunter check result. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the creature’s HD. A successful check allows the ranger to remember a bit of useful information about that creature. For every 5 points by which the check result exceeds the DC, the ranger can recall another piece of useful information. In most cases, making a check doesn’t take an action—the ranger simply knows the answer or doesn’t.
Darth Sephiroth 02-14-07, 04:59 PM	Doesn't the Archivist already basically do that, I mean it's Dark Knowledge ability covers that sort of thing. Perhaps just make it a skill check of the right Knowledge skill or something
AhzRiael 02-27-07, 03:39 PM	I asked my DM a long time ago if I could have bonuses for knowing anatomy. He gave me circumstantial bonuses or "fudge rolls" but sneak attack was always just sneak attack. If you're a rouge or assassin that means you spent time looking over this stuff to get it right. Also assume that part of knowing anatomy is why rouges have such high intellect. Also note that sneaking up on someone gets you flatfooted along with the extra damage, wouldn't that suggest that most of it is coming from surprise instead of having that knowledge, if it did you would be able to use it every turn not just the first. I'm not saying it doesn't effect it, I'm saying add knowledge anatomy to you character for flavor but leave the rule how it is.