Well met,
we are trying to figure out if the slayers advanced talent Assassinate (Ex) can be used in combat?
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/slayer/slayer-talents/paizo -slayer-talents-advanced/assassinate
"the slayer makes a sneak attack against the target and that target is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC, the sneak attack has the additional effect of possibly killing the target"
So possible common situations can be:
- win the initiative (target has condition Flat-Footed)
- being invisible (slayer has condition Invisible)
- something else maybe
But there is an other requirement for the slayer:
"This attempt automatically fails if the target recognizes the slayer as an enemy."
So our thoughts are (all must apply):
- slayer must not be expected (maybe a knowledge local check for the target, if they know the party)
- slayer must not have taken part in the combar so far
- slayer must be previously undetected or unrecognized (opposed perception check for the target against stealth - possibly under rare circumstances against disguise)
So beeing hidden with stealth or better with invisiblity could make this happen?
Stealth says: "Creatures that fail to beat your Stealth check are not aware of you and treat you as if you had total concealment"
Invisible says: "Invisible creatures are visually undetectable. An invisible creature gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against sighted opponents, and ignores its opponents’ Dexterity bonuses to AC (if any)."
And stealth says also: "Your Stealth immediately ends after you make an attack roll, whether or not the attack is successful (except when sniping as noted below)."
After the first attack of a slayer every opponent should be aware to slayer as an enemy. So the Assassinate advanced talent might be work once in a combat?
Another indicator of usability in combat is that the talent is a 2 turn action (study + sneak attack).
Encounters must be setup proberly to make this happen, like:
- slayer hides behind a door and opponents are lured into this ambush
- slayer goes invisible into a battle and sneaks to a target undetected
- ...
There is still the chances of being detected and some one calls out a warning to make the assasination fail.
What do you think?
Or is there any standard rule which makes this impossible?
Regards
Ralf
