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As I was writing an encounter featuring rogues inside a shop -- naturally crammed with shelves and tables -- I realized that as per RAW, they could use the 'sniping' action mentioned under Stealth skill against the PCs. If I'm reading the rules correctly, a 10 ft. table or shelf (that provides cover) would enable them to Sneak Attack "legally" as long as they get cover or concealement. Or am I wrong here? Can the players claim that, for example, a 10 ft. long table turned sideways is only two squares worth of "hidden" area and therefore not in spirit of the rule, as they can pinpoint the potential squares a courching rogue is sniping from? And likewise with a rogue shooting from behind a shelf?
What do you think?
What Tom said.
Reduce the problem even further: A rogue could be hiding behind a tree or pillar (taking up one 5' square) that provides cover. You can't see what they are doing or when exactly there are readying to jump out and shoot. You don't know which side they will pop out at.
Of course anybody who DOES really know a Rogue is hiding and ready to shoot at them is still free to declare a Full Defense Action, take Cover, or Fight Defensively while Readying an Attack when the sniping Rogue reveals themselves.
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Yeah, that's exactly what I personally thought, too... if you can't see what/when your opponent is doing, he can use Sneak Attack against you (same with being invisible; even if you can pin-point the square, it doesn't help you against SA).
I also pondered about this because the PC rogue might try the same against "non-rogue" enemies (in that encounter or sometime later in the campaign).
Thanks, guys! :)
Just be sure to keep in mind those huge penalties for attacking someone and give your players their spot check. -20 is nothing to sneaze at, and they can't do it if they are closer than 10 ft or further than 30. I think if the rogue succeeds at that, he should get his sneak.