Skirmish for Sneak Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Skirmish for Sneak Attack [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
PhoenixInferno
01-23-07, 09:13 PM Do you think its balanced to trade Skirmish for SA? Your bonus damage die gets reduced, but its easier to trigger. It seems OK to me, unless you allow Complete Scoundrel. Thoughts?
ZombieDragon
01-24-07, 12:24 AM Directly replacing the skirmish tree with the sneak attack tree I think would be overpowering. The scout abilities besides skirmish seem a bit better than the rogues sans SA.

I would though completely take out the AC bonus of skirmish and replace it with more triggers. At third get ability to hit flat footed opponents. At seventh get the ability to flank opponents. At 15th(maybe 19th) you can skirmish with only a 5 foot step.

Now that’s off the top of my head, I really would need to playtest a few ideas to get a great balance.
kadeity
01-24-07, 12:38 AM Sneak attack is decidedly more powerful than Skirmish.
Sudden strike is weaker than both.

Trading Skirmish for Sudden strike isnt so bad...
but the damage is probably still too high.

At 20th level, Scouts deal 5d6 on an attack, and only if they move, meaning they cant take a full attack.

At 20th level Rogues can deal 10d6 Sneak attack whenever they flank or their foe is denied dex to ack.

At 20th level ninjas can deal 10d6, and only to people denied dex to ac. they dont get this extra damage when they flank.

so, realize scouts deal less damage, but have a little ac.
Rogues Sneak attack is better than any ability like it... because flanking happens ALOT. but id likely allow to trade for sudden strike... since its not as strong.
PhoenixInferno
01-24-07, 12:57 AM My intention was to trade a Rogue's SA for the Scout's Skirmish - hopefully, I could convince a DM that since its a trade of equal or lesser value, it should be allowed.

But its a Rogue/Ranger build with FE (Evil) - Swift Hunter lets you deal Skirmish damage to all your favored enemies regardless of whether they are immune or not. That's the trick.
ZombieDragon
01-24-07, 01:33 AM It's up to your DM, but I'd let it slide. I'm with kadeity on these special ability power levels. Sneaks is better than Skirmish.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
PhoenixInferno 01-23-07, 09:13 PM	Do you think its balanced to trade Skirmish for SA? Your bonus damage die gets reduced, but its easier to trigger. It seems OK to me, unless you allow Complete Scoundrel. Thoughts?
ZombieDragon 01-24-07, 12:24 AM	Directly replacing the skirmish tree with the sneak attack tree I think would be overpowering. The scout abilities besides skirmish seem a bit better than the rogues sans SA. I would though completely take out the AC bonus of skirmish and replace it with more triggers. At third get ability to hit flat footed opponents. At seventh get the ability to flank opponents. At 15th(maybe 19th) you can skirmish with only a 5 foot step. Now that’s off the top of my head, I really would need to playtest a few ideas to get a great balance.
kadeity 01-24-07, 12:38 AM	Sneak attack is decidedly more powerful than Skirmish. Sudden strike is weaker than both. Trading Skirmish for Sudden strike isnt so bad... but the damage is probably still too high. At 20th level, Scouts deal 5d6 on an attack, and only if they move, meaning they cant take a full attack. At 20th level Rogues can deal 10d6 Sneak attack whenever they flank or their foe is denied dex to ack. At 20th level ninjas can deal 10d6, and only to people denied dex to ac. they dont get this extra damage when they flank. so, realize scouts deal less damage, but have a little ac. Rogues Sneak attack is better than any ability like it... because flanking happens ALOT. but id likely allow to trade for sudden strike... since its not as strong.
PhoenixInferno 01-24-07, 12:57 AM	My intention was to trade a Rogue's SA for the Scout's Skirmish - hopefully, I could convince a DM that since its a trade of equal or lesser value, it should be allowed. But its a Rogue/Ranger build with FE (Evil) - Swift Hunter lets you deal Skirmish damage to all your favored enemies regardless of whether they are immune or not. That's the trick.
ZombieDragon 01-24-07, 01:33 AM	It's up to your DM, but I'd let it slide. I'm with kadeity on these special ability power levels. Sneaks is better than Skirmish.