| MuthSera |
The replies here stating that the sneak attack damage would apply are incorrect.
The wording on sneak attack includes the following:
"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."
Notice the part where it says "Must be able to reach the spot."
However, Force sword Thematically isn't a buffer of life, but instead is a telekinetic field which is deflecting blows away entirely.
This is further backed up by the phrasing "otherwise counts as a miss"
Meaning, the blow is deflected away. The rogue has failed to reach the vital spot they wanted to strike.
That means this falls into 2 categories: Thematic and mechanical interpretation.
Thematic: If you were trying to stab someone in the kidneys for extra damage, you obviously didn't deal bonus precision damage if you never hit them at all.
Mechanical: Since the attack didn't hit, and sneak attack explicitly requires that you be able to reach the target in order to deal the damage, then the damage wasn't dealt.
It does create an unusual situation of "Schrodinger's damage", but in this unique situation, it's correct to roll weapon damage without sneak attacks, and then apply sneak attack damage if and only if the weapon damage completely penetrates the ward and counts as a hit, therefor meeting the qualifications of the sneak attack.