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Do Multiple Sources of Precision Damage Stack?

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Hi;

I looked around for the answer to this before posting the question, and couldn't find anything specific on it, so forgive me if it's answered somewhere, and I'd appreciate a citation.

Do multiple sources of Precision Damage stack on the same attack?

For example, a Multiclass Samurai Sword Saint/Rogue making an Iaijutsu Strikd... Would he get Both the +1d6 for the Iaijutsu Strike and the Sneak Attack dice from Rogue levels?

Thanks;
KWScott wrote:

. . .

Do multiple sources of Precision Damage stack on the same attack?

For example, a Multiclass Samurai Sword Saint/Rogue making an Iaijutsu Strikd... Would he get Both the +1d6 for the Iaijutsu Strike and the Sneak Attack dice from Rogue levels? . . .

I don't know what you need in the vein of rules citation, but if both conditions are met, then both activate.

Iaijutsu Strike:
. . . After the sword saint has challenged a foe but before he has attacked the target of his challenge, he may choose to use his iaijutsu strike as a full-round action, making an attack roll with his weapon as normal. In order to use this ability, the sword saint’s weapon must be sheathed at the start of his turn. If he successfully hits his opponent with an iaijutsu strike, his attack deals an additional +1d6 points of damage. This bonus damage increases by an additional +1d6 at 3rd level and every two levels thereafter to a maximum of +10d6 damage at 19th level. Any extra damage as a result of a successful iaijutsu strike is not multiplied by a critical hit. . . .

Sneak Attack:
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. . . 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. . . 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.

If you challenge the target and act first such that they are flatfooted and your weapon is sheathed, then yes. I'm sure other combinations would work, but that would probably be the most common.

Damage always 'stacks'. Otherwise, if you hit someone with a sword for 8, then for 10, they'll have only taken 10 points of damage. You'd have to wipe out all their HP in a single swing to drop them.

Another way to look at it ... 'precision' is not a bonus type. Therefore, Iajutsu Strike and Sneak Attack are both untyped, and thus stack by standard rules.
Zhayne wrote:

Damage always 'stacks'. Otherwise, if you hit someone with a sword for 8, then for 10, they'll have only taken 10 points of damage. You'd have to wipe out all their HP in a single swing to drop them.

Another way to look at it ... 'precision' is not a bonus type. Therefore, Iajutsu Strike and Sneak Attack are both untyped, and thus stack by standard rules.

While I agree with the latter part, I believe the first comparison is way off. You do not accumulate damage (only non-lethal). Damage is used momentarily, and leads to a reduction in your current hit points.

I actually don't think that they would stack by raw. Usually when the precision damage stack with other precision damage they mention so, like the assassin prestige class:

Spoiler:
"Sneak Attack: This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt increases by +1d6 every other level (1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th). If an assassin gets a sneak attack bonus from another source, the bonuses on damage stack."

Personally speaking though, I would let it stack as long as all the requirements of BOTH types of precision damage is met.
Lifat wrote:

I actually don't think that they would stack by raw. Usually when the precision damage stack with other precision damage they mention so, like the assassin prestige class:

I think they generally do that only when the two sources are largely identical (because otherwise one could read bonuses from identical sources don't stack). The assassin's sneak attack is explicitly "exactly like" the rogue's.

Where precision damages arises from two different circumstances, the general rule is that different circumstances stack.
Lifat wrote:

I actually don't think that they would stack by raw. Usually when the precision damage stack with other precision damage they mention so, like the assassin prestige class:

** spoiler omitted **

Personally speaking though, I would let it stack as long as all the requirements of BOTH types of precision damage is met.

Precision damage isn't a bonus, though. The text you quote specifically says that "sneak attack bonuses" from different sources stack. So we are dealing with a sneak attack bonus, and this bonus deals precision damage.

Iaijutsu's bonus precision damage certainly isn't a sneak attack bonus, so they stack.
Thymus Vulgaris wrote:
Lifat wrote:

I actually don't think that they would stack by raw. Usually when the precision damage stack with other precision damage they mention so, like the assassin prestige class:

** spoiler omitted **

Personally speaking though, I would let it stack as long as all the requirements of BOTH types of precision damage is met.

Precision damage isn't a bonus, though. The text you quote specifically says that "sneak attack bonuses" from different sources stack. So we are dealing with a sneak attack bonus, and this bonus deals precision damage.

Iaijutsu's bonus precision damage certainly isn't a sneak attack bonus, so they stack.

Huh. I guess I see your point. Then again I would always run it that way anyway. Only difference is that I no longer have to state it as a houserule.

Precision damage isn't a bonus. It's more of a category of damage. As long as he meets the requirements to use Iaijutsu Strike and Sneak Attack, he gets both.

Precision damage is not a bonus type. "Precision damage" is not even a defined gamed term.

PS: In order for numbers to not stack they have to be the same bonus type.
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