Some questions

[Stilgar]

Ok, whe are a little confused here,
about 2 things,


first: When is a character flatfooted? Only at start before your first turn?
Second: How does sneakattack work, when does a rogue do a sneak attack and when not.

If someone could explain this so that i can understand that would be very helpfull.
Thanks.

[Fiberfar]

Not sure about flatfooted.

A rogue can use his sneak attack when the enemy is unable to reply to attacks, the rogue is invisible/ the enemy can't see him, (or flatfooted i think)

You do 1d6 extra damage on a sneak attack and the damage increases (lv 3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,20 i think) by 1d6 every time

[Volk]

Flat-Footed: At the start of a battle, before you have had a chance to act (specifically, before your first regular turn in the initiative order), you are flat-footed. You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed. Barbarians and rogues have the uncanny dodge extraordinary ability, which allows them to avoid losing their Dexterity bonus to AC due to being flat-footed. A flat-footed character can’t make attacks of opportunity.


From the PHB, That meens that anyone surprised by the attackers is considered flat footed, loosing their DEX bonus to AC and ability to make attacks of opertiunity. Uncanny dodge allows the player to avoid loseing their DEX bonus to AC but dosent allow them to make attacks of opertunity as far as i know.

Improved uncanny dodge denies a rogue or assassin the ability to sneak attack the player unless his class is 4 levels higher then the target of the sneak attack, the character can no longer be flanked either.

Sneak attacks can also come at the discression of the DM, a helpless enemy or an unconceous enemy for example can be sneak attacked without having to surprise them provided that they have a discernable anatomy and are not immune to critical hits.


Hope this explains some things.

[ShadoWolf]

when the target is flanked also

flanked= when apponent is attacked on 2 opposite side (some creatures are immune to this)

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Originally Posted by Volk

Flat-Footed: At the start of a battle, before you have had a chance to act (specifically, before your first regular turn in the initiative order), you are flat-footed. You can’t use your Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) while flat-footed. Barbarians and rogues have the uncanny dodge extraordinary ability, which allows them to avoid losing their Dexterity bonus to AC due to being flat-footed. A flat-footed character can’t make attacks of opportunity.


From the PHB, That meens that anyone surprised by the attackers is considered flat footed, loosing their DEX bonus to AC and ability to make attacks of opertiunity. Uncanny dodge allows the player to avoid loseing their DEX bonus to AC but dosent allow them to make attacks of opertunity as far as i know.

Improved uncanny dodge denies a rogue or assassin the ability to sneak attack the player unless his class is 4 levels higher then the target of the sneak attack, the character can no longer be flanked either.

Sneak attacks can also come at the discression of the DM, a helpless enemy or an unconceous enemy for example can be sneak attacked without having to surprise them provided that they have a discernable anatomy and are not immune to critical hits.


Hope this explains some things.

Isn't there a selectable feat (as in every 3 levels) that makes a character more able to hold their own when flatfooted?

FYI, this is based upon my experiences with 'The Temple of Elemental Evil,' so I can always see if the game's manual lists such.

[Volk]

As far as i know there isnt, Unacanny dodge and Improved uncanny dodge are the solutions to the flat footed problem.

[Galuf the Dwarf]

Originally Posted by Volk

As far as i know there isnt, Unacanny dodge and Improved uncanny dodge are the solutions to the flat footed problem.

Yeah, that's wierd. I just checked the ToEE manual, and there's nothing of the like.

[Rob-hin]

The game probably doesn't work with Flat Footed and thus doesn't have that feat included.

[The Great Hairy]

To be honest, Flat Footed during Initiative is something I've dropped from the games I run. For a PC to be Flat Footed, they must be surprised, and unaware of the attack.

@Stilgar
If you are not using Attacks of Opportunity, then Flat Footed during the first round of combat also has a minimised effect.

Sneak Attacks are possible using any weapon, melee or missile (however the Rogue must be within 30' to get the Sneak Attack). It is possible for a Rogue (if they have the Feat Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot) to fire into melee combat and Sneak Attack the target.

Cheers!
TGHO

[Rob-hin]

We did the same, no flat footed in the first round.
It doesn't seem logical that you can't do anything (dodge a strike) before your round when you knowingly enter a combat.

[Volk]

Well in some situations, such as walking through a forest and getting ambushed from trees, or in situations when the characters would honestly not have a clue where the attacker are, but i meen in the situations when the orc barbarians are charging you down the open field i hardly find it logical to make the first round of comabt flat footed.

[Rob-hin]

Our house rule:
If you are suprised, you are flat footed.

You are suprised when you fail the spot check when they start the attack. So they always get a suprise attack as the first round is always theirs. If you are flat footed or not, depends on your spot check.
(But you can not make attacks of opportunity in the first round before you can act.)