sneak attack increasing the threat range for VP/WP [Archive] - Wizards Community

sneak attack increasing the threat range for VP/WP [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arcade
01-16-07, 07:59 PM This was a thought I had and thought I could get some feedback. What if a sneak attack, instead of doing extra damage, affected the threat range instead. Basically, every +1d6 would instead increase the threat range by 1. So a 5th level rogue using a short sword would have a crit range of 16-20.

This would make rogues good at stabbing in a vulnerable area, just like the critical hit. And then you wouldn't have to worry about the rule about only adding +1 WP/d6 whenever a rogue gets a critical hit.

Please critique or add to this. Thanks.
Dantano
01-16-07, 11:00 PM I think the +1 to WP is enough. Getting hit to WP is enough of a problem with the negatives. I can see what you're saying but I think mechanically it wouldjust be too powerful.
highbulp
01-16-07, 11:29 PM I think leave SA alone--have it do it's normal +Xd6. My logic is that a wizard's touch spell can still critical for Xd6, and a barbarian can still critical with a 2-handed power attack. And if the PC is out of vitality, then it doesn't matter whether it's a critical or not--they're still taking 10d6 from a fireball, or +20 from a 2-handed power attack. If you're going to reduce damage done from sneak attack, you should reduce it from other sources as well, and that just becomes a pain.

But I do like the idea flavor-wise--a sneak attack is basically just an improved chance for a critical. I'd have to do more math to figure out the numerical significance, but I'm tired right now. I'll post it tomorrow.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arcade 01-16-07, 07:59 PM	This was a thought I had and thought I could get some feedback. What if a sneak attack, instead of doing extra damage, affected the threat range instead. Basically, every +1d6 would instead increase the threat range by 1. So a 5th level rogue using a short sword would have a crit range of 16-20. This would make rogues good at stabbing in a vulnerable area, just like the critical hit. And then you wouldn't have to worry about the rule about only adding +1 WP/d6 whenever a rogue gets a critical hit. Please critique or add to this. Thanks.
Dantano 01-16-07, 11:00 PM	I think the +1 to WP is enough. Getting hit to WP is enough of a problem with the negatives. I can see what you're saying but I think mechanically it wouldjust be too powerful.
highbulp 01-16-07, 11:29 PM	I think leave SA alone--have it do it's normal +Xd6. My logic is that a wizard's touch spell can still critical for Xd6, and a barbarian can still critical with a 2-handed power attack. And if the PC is out of vitality, then it doesn't matter whether it's a critical or not--they're still taking 10d6 from a fireball, or +20 from a 2-handed power attack. If you're going to reduce damage done from sneak attack, you should reduce it from other sources as well, and that just becomes a pain. But I do like the idea flavor-wise--a sneak attack is basically just an improved chance for a critical. I'd have to do more math to figure out the numerical significance, but I'm tired right now. I'll post it tomorrow.