Sneak Attack (Melee)

For the ranged version of this action see: Sneak Attack (Ranged)

Sneak Attack (Melee) is a rogue action. This ability allows the rogue to exploit an enemy's distraction and deal extra damage to their vulnerable spots with melee weapons.

The weapon must have the Finesse property, but can still utilise Strength if it is higher than Dexterity.

Description

Deal an extra 1d6 damage to a foe you have Advantage against.

Also works if you have an ally within 1.5 m / 5 ft of the target and you don't have Disadvantage.

Properties

Cost

 Action

Damage

Normal weapon damage

+

1d6 (1~6) Weapon

Details

 Range: Normal weapon range

Recharge: Per turn

At higher levels

For every 2 Rogue Levels above 1, your Sneak Attack deals an additional 1d6WeaponDRS damage, up to 6d6 at Level 11:

• 2d6WeaponDRS at Rogue Level 3
• 3d6WeaponDRS at Rogue Level 5
• 4d6WeaponDRS at Rogue Level 7
• 5d6WeaponDRS at Rogue Level 9
• 6d6WeaponDRS at Rogue Level 11

How to learn

Classes:

• Class level 1: Rogue

Notes

• Sneak Attack refreshes after the Rogue's turn ends.
• Normally, Rogues can only make one sneak attack during a combat round - specifically: on their own turn. However, between turns they may land an additional Sneak Attack with a Reaction (e.g., an Opportunity Attack). This is because if an opponent triggers an opportunity attack, it is a new turn (the enemy’s), so Sneak Attack is refreshed for the Rogue realizing the attack of opportunity. Therefore it is advisable to turn Sneak Attack to “Ask” in the reactions panel. This way, the game engine prompts the player when a Reaction could trigger another Sneak Attack before the Rogue's next turn.
  • However, if Sneak Attack is applied automatically to a triggering attack via the reaction system, it is treated as a "DRS".
• As Sneak Attack requires a Finesse weapon, it may not be used with main hand unarmed attacks.
• The Sneak Attack reaction will trigger when using  Flurry of Blows while wielding a finesse weapon in your main hand, and uses the weapon's damage type.
• When using a weapon attack that hits multiple foes, such as  Whirlwind Attack, the Sneak Attack reaction that can trigger from the attack will only affect the first target hit
• When dual-wielding, your off hand Sneak Attack uses the damage type of your main hand weapon. For example, if your main hand is a Practice Sword, your off hand Sneak Attack will deal Bludgeoning damage, even if the off hand weapon itself is a Piercing weapon. This includes whether the main hand is magical or not - for example, the Practice Sword deals non-magical damage unless an appropriate coating is applied.