Undead and sneak attacks


Rules Questions


do undead creatures have immunity to sneak attacks and crits as in 3.5 edition ? if not, can you give the reference to this rule? thanks


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No they don't. The undead entry does not list it.


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Josh-o-Lantern wrote:
No they don't. The undead entry does not list it.

can you provide me that list or a reference to get it?

thank you!


I can't really give you anything more than a link to Undead type entry. In it there is no listed immunity to criticals.

EDIT: The type listing is also in the Beastiary, so I guess you'll not find it there as well?

Liberty's Edge

I know that for those of us that come from 3/3.5 it hard to digest, initially, but in Pathfinder there are way creatures that are immune to critical hits/precision damage:
swarms, elementals, ozzes and incorporeal creatures (unless you are using a ghost touch weapon) are the only types or subtypes that give critical immunity, from what I recall.
Then there are a few abilities that do the same for specific creatures, plus some equipment or class ability that give some level of protection.


The sidebar here shows the creatures that aren't susceptible to sneak attacks. Note in the text that they specifically call out zombies as being sneak-attackable.


in 3.5 undead were not sneak attackable. It was an enormous problem with the rogue that 3/4 of the monster manual couldn't be sneaked.

3.5 rogue sneak attack wrote:
A rogue can sneak attack only living creatures with discernible anatomies—undead, constructs, oozes, plants, and incorporeal creatures lack vital areas to attack. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to sneak attacks. The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose vitals are beyond reach.
Pathfinder rogue wrote:

If a rogue can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.

The rogue's attack deals extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the rogue score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.

With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap, whip, or an unarmed strike), a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. She cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty.

The rogue must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment.


alessio fiorillo wrote:
do undead creatures have immunity to sneak attacks and crits as in 3.5 edition ? if not, can you give the reference to this rule? thanks

You wont find an entry in Pathfinder that says Undead can be critically hit, because Paizo never said Undead couldn't be critically hit.

WoTC said Undead couldn't be critically hit in D&D 3.5, which is a completely different game. Pathfinder may be based off of it, but you're best to forget most of what you knew in 3.5 and treat this like it was a brand new game. Don't assume things are the same because a lot of things have changed.


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Here is your 'positive proof statement':

Pathfinder Conversion Guide p7 wrote:
Note that the rogue sneak attack ability now functions against most constructs, plants, and undead. It does not function against oozes, elementals, and incorporeal undead.
Pathfinder Conversion Guide p17 wrote:
Constructs, plants, and most undead are no longer immune to sneak attacks or critical hits. Elementals, incorporeal undead, and oozes are still immune to such attacks.

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