Locworks
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Based on
1. Sneak Attack as a Standard Action
2. Sneak attack - weak spot - immunities
3. Sneak Attack and Knowledge checks - p. 23
This is very much a work in progress. I'm toying with the idea of allowing non-rogues to deal extra damage to types of foes they have studied. I'm using the Knowledge rules discussed elsewhere as the basis for the feat.
I'm afraid I'm struggling with a progression for the feat (Improved, Greater, etc.) which would be significant enough at higher levels without being overpowering. (Yes, it's a plea for help.)
New rule
Combat Feat: Sneak Attack
Prerequisite: BAB +1, relevant Knowledge proficiency (at least 1 rank)
If you can catch an opponent when he is denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the he has a Dexterity bonus or not) or or when you flank him, you can give up all your attacks to perform a single attack at your highest BAB to strike a vital spot for extra damage. This extra damage is 1d6. If you score a critical hit with you attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can deal extra damage only if the target is within 30 feet. With a sap (blackjack) or an unarmed strike, you can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. You cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty.
You must be able to see the target well enough to pick out a vital spot and must be able to reach such a spot. You may not sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment or striking the limbs of a creature whose weak spots are beyond reach.
In order to be able to identify a target's weak spot, you must have the specified number of ranks in the relevant Knowledge skill. Your knowledge check is always assumed to be 10 + relevant Knowledge skill ranks. The DC of the check is 10 + 1/2 of the target's CR. For instance, a cleric with 1 rank in Knowledge (religion) (a class skill) may sneak attack CR 1, CR 2, CR 3 and CR 4 undead.
Special: Characters with the sneak attack class ability do not require ranks in Knowledge to sneak attack living creatures with a discernible anatomy. Additionally, only characters with the sneak attack class ability are able to benefit from the Aid another option to gain a +2 to the Knowledge check.