Sneak Attack in Vitality/Wound system [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sneak Attack in Vitality/Wound system [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JabberWocky
03-19-05, 08:55 PM Okay, first of all, the premise for this post is that I'm working on a more "realistic" D&D ruleset to appease some players who insist that the conventional D&D system isn't what they're looking for. This is fine; I've always though that it'd be a good workout to go from what's totally by-the-books to a mass of variant systems.

This brings me to how to handle damage. The VP/WP system has always been my favorite way of handling things. Though, the question today is, "How would sneak attack work in the VP/WP system?" My platers argue that, logically, SA would go straight to WP, but that seems so completely broken that the mind boggles at why someone would think that works. After getting over that little fit of insanity, how would all of you make Sneak Attack work?

A few thoughts already placed into the pot are as follows: The rogue strikes for vital points, dealing 1 wound point per die of sneak attack damage, rather than full die of damage. However, this becomes something of a problem at higher levels, especially between classes that allow for massive amounts of SA. Another solution is similar to this, but involves only gaining SA wound damage every other time you would normally gain a Sneak Attack die.

Your thoughts on the matter?
Nor'Morgwae
03-19-05, 09:30 PM I've been looking at this exact same thing recently. What I decided to try is have sneak attack funtion as normal against vitality and 1 point per dice against wound. Just because the rogue is trained to aim for a vital area doesn't make them capable of landing a physical blow when the warrior who would have made the exact same attack only does vitality damage.

The in reason you give for why sneak attack does vitality damge: The rouges meticulous attacks on vital areas are more difficult and strenuous to dodge than other attacks. A thrust to the heart that catches you off guard is more difficult to avoid than a normal overhead swing.
Salla
03-19-05, 09:44 PM There's a sidebar in UA that recommends exactly that; bonus damage dice (sneak attack, flaming/frost/etc weapons) becomes 1 point per die, instead of just the dice, when you do wound damage.
JabberWocky
03-20-05, 02:59 AM Hmm, that was pointed out to me right after I posted this, but I wanted to get some honest opinions before I tried it out. I guess this is how it'll run in my games, then. Thanks.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JabberWocky 03-19-05, 08:55 PM	Okay, first of all, the premise for this post is that I'm working on a more "realistic" D&D ruleset to appease some players who insist that the conventional D&D system isn't what they're looking for. This is fine; I've always though that it'd be a good workout to go from what's totally by-the-books to a mass of variant systems. This brings me to how to handle damage. The VP/WP system has always been my favorite way of handling things. Though, the question today is, "How would sneak attack work in the VP/WP system?" My platers argue that, logically, SA would go straight to WP, but that seems so completely broken that the mind boggles at why someone would think that works. After getting over that little fit of insanity, how would all of you make Sneak Attack work? A few thoughts already placed into the pot are as follows: The rogue strikes for vital points, dealing 1 wound point per die of sneak attack damage, rather than full die of damage. However, this becomes something of a problem at higher levels, especially between classes that allow for massive amounts of SA. Another solution is similar to this, but involves only gaining SA wound damage every other time you would normally gain a Sneak Attack die. Your thoughts on the matter?
Nor'Morgwae 03-19-05, 09:30 PM	I've been looking at this exact same thing recently. What I decided to try is have sneak attack funtion as normal against vitality and 1 point per dice against wound. Just because the rogue is trained to aim for a vital area doesn't make them capable of landing a physical blow when the warrior who would have made the exact same attack only does vitality damage. The in reason you give for why sneak attack does vitality damge: The rouges meticulous attacks on vital areas are more difficult and strenuous to dodge than other attacks. A thrust to the heart that catches you off guard is more difficult to avoid than a normal overhead swing.
Salla 03-19-05, 09:44 PM	There's a sidebar in UA that recommends exactly that; bonus damage dice (sneak attack, flaming/frost/etc weapons) becomes 1 point per die, instead of just the dice, when you do wound damage.
JabberWocky 03-20-05, 02:59 AM	Hmm, that was pointed out to me right after I posted this, but I wanted to get some honest opinions before I tried it out. I guess this is how it'll run in my games, then. Thanks.