Assassin's Death Attack (studying his targets)

[RigaMortus]

So let's say you have a high level Assassin (high enough to cast 4th level Assassin spells)...

For purposes of the Assassin's Death Attack, can an Assassin study more than 1 opponent at a time? I don't see any reason why not. They don't really define how the Assassin studies their opponent, other than they must keep their attention focused on their target (singular). But again, what does that mean? I don't see why you couldn't focus on multiple targets at once (so long as they are near one another). If you are focusing on one target, do you get penalties against you if someone else (whom you are not focusing on) attacks you?

The reason I ask this is because it could open up the doors for an Assassin to do multiple Death Attacks (at a range) at one time...

Using Sniper's Eye allows you to make Sneak Attacks at a 60' range, and it allows you to perform Death Attacks at range. So if the Assassin were to have Greater Manyshot, study multiple targets at once (while invisible of course) and launch Death Attacking arrows at more than one target, it could get kind of nasty.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I would rule only one target. As you said, the ability mentions a singular target needs to be studied for 3 rounds.

 

[shilsen]

What Lord Pendragon said. As you mention, the description of the ability says that the assassin's attention "must stay focused" on the target and I'd say that studying multiple targets means that you are not staying focused on any of them.

 

[RigaMortus]

But if you are only focusing on the one target, would others get pluses to hit you? Would you lose your Dex bonus against enemies since you are not concentrating on them?

Oh... How about this...

What if you used the same tactic I described above, but it was all on the same target? Therefore, you would Greater Manyshot (let's assume 4 arrows) one target, the one you studied. Each arrow gets Sneak Attack damage (as per the GMS description) and therefore each one would require a save vs. Death Attack (4 death attacks total). Of course at that point, the damage alone might kill them. But still, would this be possible?

 

[Crothian]

What is greater many shot in?

 

[RigaMortus]

It is from the Expanded Psionic's Handbook, and it is a general feat.

 

[Crothian]

And it allows percise damage (sneak attacks) on all arrows fired with it? Wow, that feat is too good to pass up. :\

 

[Jack Simth]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Death Attack specify that the Assasin must be using a melee weapon? Isn't remaining undetected by the mark or unknown as an enemy to the mark also a pre-rec? So, ya know, bows kinda negate it, as does getting attacked by a mark....

From Online SRD:

Death Attack: If an assassin studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (assassin's choice). While studying the victim, the assassin can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize the assassin as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the assassin's class level + the assassin's Int modifier) against the kill effect, she dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per level of the assassin. If the victim’s saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the assassin has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.

If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes her save) or if the assassin does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Jack's cite seems definitive as far as ranged attacks are concerned. You have to make the death attack with a melee weapon.

But even if the death attack could be made with a ranged weapon, you wouldn't get multiple death attacks by using Greater Manyshot. The ability seems abundantly clear. 3 rounds gives you 1 death attack. Not 1 round of death attacks, not one volley of death attacks. One death attack.

 

[likuidice]

So let's say you have a high level Assassin (high enough to cast 4th level Assassin spells)...

Using Sniper's Eye allows you to make Sneak Attacks at a 60' range, and it allows you to perform Death Attacks at range. So if the Assassin were to have Greater Manyshot, study multiple targets at once (while invisible of course) and launch Death Attacking arrows at more than one target, it could get kind of nasty.

I think this is a spell allowing this to happen.

MANYSHOT [GENERAL]
Prerequisites: Dex 17, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, base attack bonus +6
Benefit: As a standard action, you may fire two arrows at a single opponent within 30 feet. Both arrows use the same attack roll (with a –4 penalty) to determine success and deal damage normally (but see Special).
For every five points of base attack bonus you have above +6, you may add one additional arrow to this attack, to a maximum of four arrows at a base attack bonus of +16. However, each arrow after the second adds a cumulative –2 penalty on the attack roll (for a total penalty of –6 for three arrows and –8 for four).
Damage reduction and other resistances apply separately against each arrow fired.
Special: Regardless of the number of arrows you fire, you apply precision-based damage only once. If you score a critical hit, only the first arrow fired deals critical damage; all others deal regular damage.
A fighter may select Manyshot as one of his fighter bonus feats.
A 6th-level ranger who has chosen the archery combat style is treated as having Manyshot even if he does not have the prerequisites for it, but only when he is wearing light or no armor.

GREATER MANYSHOT [GENERAL]
You are skilled at firing many arrows at once, even at different opponents.
Prerequisites: Dex 17, Manyshot, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: When you use the Manyshot feat, you can fire each arrow at a different target instead of firing all of them at the same target. You make a separate attack roll for each arrow, regardless of whether you fire them at separate targets or the same target. Your precision-based damage applies to each arrow fired, and, if you score a critical hit with more than one of the arrows, each critical hit deals critical damage.
Special: A fighter may select this feat as one of his fighter bonus feats.

Death Attack: If an assassin studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a sneak attack with a melee weapon that successfully deals damage, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly either paralyzing or killing the target (assassin’s choice). While studying the victim, the assassin can undertake other actions so long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the assassin or recognize the assassin as an enemy. If the victim of such an attack fails a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the assassin’s class level + the assassin’s Int modifier) against the kill effect, she dies. If the saving throw fails against the paralysis effect, the victim is rendered helpless and unable to act for 1d6 rounds plus 1 round per level of the assassin. If the victim’s saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. Once the assassin has completed the 3 rounds of study, he must make the death attack within the next 3 rounds.
If a death attack is attempted and fails (the victim makes her save) or if the assassin does not launch the attack within 3 rounds of completing the study, 3 new rounds of study are required before he can attempt another death attack.


Not sure on this. It seems to imply that it only applies to the first sneak attack you roll for, like true strike only applies to a single attack roll, even though it can be used with effects that provide multiple attacks as part of the same action (scorching ray, gtr manyshot, whirlwind attack, etc).
on another note, a combo of fell shot from psi handbook, with many shot, plus the feat that allows you to regain focus as a move action is quite affective at getting off a ranged touch manyshot every round.