Foundation's page

How can a single sneak attack ever effect more than 1 creature?

Disintegrate is the example used. It uses a ranged attack roll to target the ray. You think a rogue can use an attack roll to target their attack, but somehow it doesn't limit it to a single target?

You have to admit that you can attack a swarm. That attack, itself, is the sneak attack.

Sneak attack isn't a replacement for an attack. Sneak attack is not a targeted spell or effect.

Why is it that nobody has countered my argument that sneak attack specifies a single target ("an opponent") and that swarms are immune to effects which target a specific number of creatures?

I think that sneak attack isn't targeted. I think its power stems from the attack itself which can clearly be targeted at the swarm. It's a modifier on attack damage, not a "spell or effect that targets a specific number of creatures".

I'm feeling pretty confident now that RAW make swarms susceptible to sneak attacks.

In fact, looking at the most recent printings of the Core Rulebook and on the Paizo PRD sneak attack's description does not contain the phrase "precision damage". It makes it sound like it is extra damage stack on top of the original weapon (or whatever) damage.

The only thing I can find from Paizo that makes sneak attack "precision damage" is the definition of the amorphous creature type (unless this is more-clearly defined in an FAQ I overlooked).

d20pfsrd's sneak attack description appears to make it clear that sneak attack is precision damage:

'The rogue's attack deals extra damage (called "precision damage")'

But I can't see that the text in the parentheses originates from Paizo.

So RAW would make sneak attack damage just damage lumped into the weapon damage, which would then be ignored/halved as per swarm rules? This is my best interpretation at this point.

They aren't listed. They can take precision damage. The rogue will get lucky to get one in the whole fight, and even then only with tiny swarms, which still halve the damage. I could see letting them get one in.

By halve the damage do you mean from the weapon or from the sneak attack itself? Is sneak attack "weapon damage" or is it "precision damage"? It says they halve "weapon damage".

How do we go about getting an FAQ or errata judgement on this from an official source? What is the process? Who is even capable of making such a ruling?

I have seen this discussed on various threads. I am wondering if I am missing an official source or ruling or errata document.

Can you sneak attack swarms?

Is the sneak attack damage halved or ignored for various-sized swarms as per weapon damage?

Thank you!

Hi there you two. Looks like you're the only folks posting on here in recent months. My name is Justin, nice to meet you.

I have a Pathfinder group of friends that has been playing pretty successfully for awhile. I'm not looking for people to join us, that's a conversation I've not had with them.

I am looking to expand my Pathfinder community a little bit, though, and see what is going in and around Portland. My main focus is on deepening the craft of story presentation for players.

I've GM'd and played. I need more experience on both sides of the table. Maybe we can meet up sometime somewhere just to rap and share ideas.

My email is pdxvision@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you folks.