So, here's an horrible question...

[Alitan]

If one successfully performs a sneak attack with a Rod of Withering, does the sneak attack damage get converted? Or does it deal no sneak attack damage at all, since the Rod doesn't deal conventional damage? Non-lethal? Standard sneak attack dice in lethal? Does a successful sneak attack count like a critical to make the attribute damage permanent?

Ugh.

Remind me never to hand out one of these damn things.

But, what happens?

[BltzKrg242]

Looks like you'd do the ability damage as normal and then apply the sneak attack damage as per the Sneak attack rules under rogue.

sneak attack damage:

Sneak Attack: If a rogue can catch an opponent when he is unable to defend himself effectively from her attack, she can strike a vital spot for extra damage.

The rogue's attack deals extra damage anytime her target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC (whether the target actually has a Dexterity bonus or not), or when the rogue flanks her target. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and increases by 1d6 every two rogue levels thereafter. Should the rogue score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied. Ranged attacks can count as sneak attacks only if the target is within 30 feet.

With a weapon that deals nonlethal damage (like a sap, whip, or an unarmed strike), a rogue can make a sneak attack that deals nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage. She cannot use a weapon that deals lethal damage to deal nonlethal damage in a sneak attack, not even with the usual –4 penalty.

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. A rogue cannot sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment.

[Chemlak]

Standard sneak attack plus withering as per the rod.

[Alitan]

Whew. Something of a relief.

(I'd been looking at sneak attacking with SPELLS, wherein the sneak damage is converted to more of the spell's type of damage, then saw the Rod, dealing attribute DAMAGE, thought "Holy Cr@p, really?)

[Randy Lockard]

Rods have a damage rating usually. The Rod of Withering acts like a light mace +1. It is designed to be a weapon. The fact that it deals zero damage does not stop the sneak attack damage.

[Alitan]

My confusion stemmed from the fact that the Rod's description refers to dealing attribute damage... coupled with the spell/sneak conversion of damage-to-type.

Leading me to have a terrifying vision of an "Xd6" batch of stat damage on a successful sneak attack.

I knew it couldn't be right, but didn't figure out I was mixing rules until after my frantic OP.

:-O

[james maissen]

Alitan wrote:

But, what happens?

It gives negative energy damage for the sneak attack rather than ability damage.

If you are worried here, imagine a rogue sneak attacking with an enervation spell.. ;)

You need to be making an attack that deals damage in order to sneak attack. You apply things like DR after, so if you would deal 1 damage plus 14 sneak against something with DR 5/- then they would take 10 damage.

-James