Sneak Attack + Inflict Wounds?

[0-hr]

So I was discussing with a friend the other day.... a character concept of a rogue/cleric of Oldimarra.... and it brought up a discussion.... would you get sneak attack damage on an Inflict spell.... and if so would the sneak attack damage get halfed on a succesful saving throw?

On the one hand SA dice aren't doubled on a crit.... but on the other hand can you imagine a Inflict minor that dealt 1 damage and then +5d6 sneak attack and only needing to hit a Touch AC? Seems a little overpowered.

 

[Pyrex]

Yes, you can make Sneak Attacks with spells that require attack rolls.

No, the SA damage is not subject to the Save that the spell used for the attack is.

Yes, you can deliver 9d6 Sneak Attack with a 1d3 Acid Splash or one point Inflict Minor Wounds.

No, it really isn't all that overpowered.

 

[lukelightning]

Yes, you can sneak attack with an inflict spell. The damage would be negative energy damage. I'm not sure about how the save vs. inflict spells would work; normally you get a will save for half damage vs. them, but I don't think you can save vs. the sneak attack portion.

 

[frankthedm]

On the one hand SA dice aren't doubled on a crit.... but on the other hand can you imagine a Inflict minor that dealt 1 damage and then +5d6 sneak attack and only needing to hit a Touch AC? Seems a little overpowered.

Yes, some folks like myself feel it is a bit overpowered. To me a touch attack just hits the target's surface. Sneak is supposed to "go in" to hit something vital.

One DM in my group limits SA on touch attacks to SA dice = spell level.

I go with a Sneak attacking touch attack cannnot cause more total damage than the maximum a crit with that touch can cause. Thus IMG a scorching ray 4d6 {24 max/48 max crit] can't have it's damage pushed past 48 damage with sneak attack.

 

[Rhun]

Considering the caster levels given up for the rogue levels required to get SA, I don't think it is overpowered at all.

 

[frankthedm]

Yes, you can sneak attack with an inflict spell. The damage would be negative energy damage. I'm not sure about how the save vs. inflict spells would work; normally you get a will save for half damage vs. them, but I don't think you can save vs. the sneak attack portion.

Why not? Sneak is part of the damage of the attack and thus would be reduced by a successful save.

 

[frankthedm]

Considering the caster levels given up for the rogue levels required to get SA, I don't think it is overpowered at all.

The rouge has to give up nothing. UMDing cheap wands is easy to do.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

The rouge has to give up nothing. UMDing cheap wands is easy to do.

He has to give up a full attack action. Even a level 20 rogue would only do 36 damage on average with this tactic. Which is nothing at level 20.
On the other hand TWF rogue wielding 2 greater wounding shortswords making 5 or more attacks a round with haste is a real threat.

 

[lukelightning]

Why not? Sneak is part of the damage of the attack and thus would be reduced by a successful save.

I figured that just as a critical could only affect the initial damage of a sneak attack and not the sneak attack damage itself, then a save should also only affect that initial damage.

 

[frankthedm]

I figured that just as a critical could only affect the initial damage of a sneak attack and not the sneak attack damage itself, then a save should also only affect that initial damage.

Those are two seperate issues. The reason sneak is not multiplied is because crits only multiply the base damage, not extra dice. Sneak adds directly into the damage of the attack. Otherwise sneak could not help penetrate DR.