Sneak attack: light weapons only?

[Anonymous Bosch]

A greatsword wielding lvl 6 fighter (with a modest 16 str) has way more damage potential.
(2d6 + 2 (wpn spec) + 4 (str bonus)) x 2
16-36 dmg, ab of 10 and 5.  No buffs.
Damage enhancing buffs are more effective when used on the guy with more attacks.
 
Wait, what's this thread about again?

[Porkolt]

INTERESTING FACT:
 
Sneak attacks aren't just attacks that cause extra damage, because the opponent is currently occupied primarily with something else.
 
The disadvantage caused by this is the flanking bonus to attack.
 
Sneak attacks are, however, trained attacks that are designed to be undetectable when made at an opponent that is not focused on you.
 
 
The ability to expertly jab the weapon through gaps in armor isn't represented by Sneak Attack, but by Weapon Finesse (chance to cause damage is determined by dexterity and thus precision of the hit, not the force and speed of it)! Therefore, Sneak Attack works perfectly with large weapons.

[Sion Ti'ren]

Everyone seems to be forgetting that blackguards get sneak attacks... Its not just a thing for nimble rogues...

[Letsplayforfun]

I can't help but lol at the answers, honestly.

You know: i do make builds with a warhammer+sneak attack, not so much because i want the sneak attack, but because i dual class rogue for the skills. If i could get those rogue skills without the sneak attack, i certainly would.

But you can rationalize it all you want: sneak attack was once called 'backstab', designed to give rogues a tactical advantage at one moment in a battle: that sniper shot, that gutting from behind, etc. Not 'oh, i'm standing a little on the side in a huge melee, so my great axe will be 50%more efficient'.

Dual class has totally screwed this, because any warrior can sudddenly be a dire flanker, at little expense for the warrior class. An archer can suddenly increase bow damage by 80% only because he's standing 10m back, a little on the side.

The assassin prestige class has inherited the death attack to compensate this, but then, who plays an assassin on EfU?

When you explain that a golf club can hit someone in the balls, that's not a sneak attack, thats the first thing i used to teach my students, because it doesn't require any training.

But i'll certainly stand on Scotty's "it's not feasible" argument. I do enjoy those Scotty answers, because they tell me why it's not feasible.

Maybe pulling sneak attack at lvl3 then?

[Letsplayforfun]

I can't help but lol at the answers, honestly.

You know: i do make builds with a warhammer+sneak attack, not so much because i want the sneak attack, but because i dual class rogue for the skills. If i could get those rogue skills without the sneak attack, i certainly would.

But you can rationalize it all you want: sneak attack was once called 'backstab', designed to give rogues a tactical advantage at one moment in a battle: that sniper shot, that gutting from behind, etc. Not 'oh, i'm standing a little on the side in a huge melee, so my great axe will be 50%more efficient'.

Dual class has totally screwed this, because any warrior can sudddenly be a dire flanker, at little expense for the warrior class. An archer can suddenly increase bow damage by 80% only because he's standing 10m back, a little on the side.

The assassin prestige class has inherited the death attack to compensate this, but then, who plays an assassin on EfU?

When you explain that a golf club can hit someone in the balls, that's not a sneak attack, thats the first thing i used to teach my students, because it doesn't require any training.

But i'll certainly stand on Scotty's "it's not feasible" argument. I do enjoy those Scotty answers, because they tell me why it's not feasible.

Maybe pulling sneak attack at lvl3 then?

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

Before I start, I gotta say, this change definitely won't happen because by the sounds of what ScottyB was saying and with my limited knowledge of nwn mechanics (relating to feats particularly) it'd probably be an utter pita.

However, I agree with letsplayforfun.  Completely.

In 2E, sneak attack doesn't exist- backstab does, and you can only do it with certain weapons.  Shortswords and daggers are among those weapons, greataxes certainly aren't.

I think sneak attack represents the 'hidden' nature of the smaller weapons to some extent, so yeah.  It would be nice to do, and would certainly encourage the use of smaller weapons.

Sneak attacking scythes?  You're having a bubble bath, guys.

[Ebok]

Ladies and gentlemen, LiS's heir.

Bloody mechanically-minded people...

P.S. I'm for fireball sneak attacks. I want to see a Wizard (5) Assassin (2) Rogue (3). Oh heck yes.

P.P.S. Yes, that is an AoE death attack with sneak attack damage too.

That's a 9d6 fireball when they aren't paying attention, and a 5d6 fireball once they start wanting to kill you. Pure wizard would have a 10d6 fireball at all times, and more of them. <_<; I think wizards don't really benefit from sneak attacks other then when they draw out that crossbow and try to hit the broad side of a barn to save on spells.

...oh sorry, I'm Off topic

Edit:: More on topic, give out daggers with bonus sneak attack imo. <_<

[Drakill Tannan]

A greatsword wielding lvl 6 fighter (with a modest 16 str) has way more damage potential.
(2d6 + 2 (wpn spec) + 4 (str bonus)) x 2
16-36 dmg, ab of 10 and 5.  No buffs.
Damage enhancing buffs are more effective when used on the guy with more attacks.

Only if the fighter hits twice. I think it is more likely the Mage will hit once, than the fighter twice. Also i didn't add flame weapon to the final mix: 2d6 + 6 + 2 + 1d4 + 1d4 + 6 = 18-34 Damage. The average being 24.

Sure, a buffed fighter gets more than that, granted. But fighters can't buff themselves nor they can buff others, my mage can. I'm not saying melee mages are stronger than fighters (not in a low level setting, or where the panther familiar has been removed) All i'm saying is that a melee mage can be quite devastating and dirty fighting adds to it without penalty.
 

Wait, what's this thread about again?

Dual wielding... i think.

That's a 9d6 fireball when they aren't paying attention, and a 5d6 fireball once they start wanting to kill you. Pure wizard would have a 10d6 fireball at all times, and more of them. <_<; I think wizards don't really benefit from sneak attacks other then when they draw out that crossbow and try to hit the broad side of a barn to save on spells.

...oh sorry, I'm Off topic

Edit:: More on topic, give out daggers with bonus sneak attack imo. <_<

Yess, but in exchange the wizard gets a better skillset. Besides, consider other spells: Ice dagger sneak attack, 5d4 (maximun) + 3d6 could be quite deadly, specially if you have the chance of paralizing the creature on the spot.

Also, wouln't a potentially paralising fireball be awsome? Death attack paralises you know?

[Letsplayforfun]

give out daggers with bonus sneak attack imo.

yes!

[Drakill Tannan]

yes!

I'd suggest kukris as well. Kukris with sneak attack bonus should be more common, also.

[N/A]

But you can rationalize it all you want: sneak attack was once called 'backstab', designed to give rogues a tactical advantage at one moment in a battle: that sniper shot, that gutting from behind, etc. Not 'oh, i'm standing a little on the side in a huge melee, so my great axe will be 50%more efficient'.

Probably that's why it is changed from backstab to sneak attack. We are not backstabbing anymore. We are hitting people in the balls/whatever. Balls do not equal back. There are more ways you can hurt someone than simply stabbing them from behind. The body has plenty of vulnerable spots.

[Listen in Silence]

My esteemed character Kavotiin Morningblood would roleplay it as precisely striking the joints and gaps in the enemy's armour when he was distracted or immobilized.

And, frankly, since the DM's have already given their response, why is this thread not locked?

[Cruzel]

This is not possible!

This is not possible! It has been said at least three times in this thread.  Even if anyone wanted this, there is no way to do it.

[ScottyB]

Probably that's why it is changed from backstab to sneak attack. We are not backstabbing anymore. We are hitting people in the balls/whatever. Balls do not equal back. There are more ways you can hurt someone than simply stabbing them from behind. The body has plenty of vulnerable spots.

Locking, because someone finally gets it, besides me.