Clarifying Rogue 1v1 ambush mechanics

[Vendev]

Assume the Rogue wins the initiative check & perception check to stealth.
Also both people are lvl 1 and the Rogue is TWF with no range weapons.
Assume the target can one shot the rogue if given a roll to swing.

During the surprise round if the target was close enough for a 5-foot step for the rogue to close the distance could the rogue 5-step and melee attack during surprise round; moreover, could he then proceed to take his normal initiative turn in the first round taking a full two swings at the target resulting in 3 attacks before their turn?

Also, since the target is flat-footed could he opt to only take one swing on his normal turn and then move back into cover/concealment and re-stealth?

Should he re-stealth is a new surprise round possible? How long could he trail a target in stealth before being able to re-open on them in the exact same way above?

I was thinking that the rogue might need hit and run tactics for a 1v1 against foes who can one shot them level 1. Please give me feedback on how hit and run tactics would be possible or ways to deny the target a chance to swing.

Thank you for any thought you put into my request and your helpful responses.

Edit: Reposted from 6 mins after making. Typo in title.

[Nefreet]

With the combination of surprise, a high initiative, and two-weapon fighting a level 1 Rogue can indeed get off 3 Sneak Attacks.

You can't use Stealth after making a melee attack, though. "Sniping" is what you're looking for. Though a level 1 Rogue will have a hard time making a Stealth check at -20.

Stealth wrote:

Your Stealth immediately ends after you make and attack roll, whether or not the attack is successful (except when sniping as noted below).

Sniping: If you've already successfully used Stealth at least 10 feet from your target, you can make one ranged attack and then immediately use Stealth again. You take a –20 penalty on your Stealth check to maintain your obscured location.

The Rogue's best chance is really safety in numbers with an adventuring party. Grab a flanking buddy and cut down your chances of being targeted by 50%.

Or wait until your target is asleep and deliver a coup de grace with Sneak Attack damage.

[Vendev]

The idea was that after his melee swing on the first turn he would then use his move action to run to cover/concealment where he would then use stealth; therefore, he isn't using stealth while he is attacking but rather on the second half of his turn afterwards. Would you say this is still not possible?

[thorin001]

If there is a surprise round and the rogue wins initiative he can get 1 attack (with sneak) on the surprise round. He can the attack (with sneak) and move on the first full round round. If there is enough cover and/or concealment to break line of sight he can attempt to hide again. Successful or not he will not get another surprise round.

[B.A. Ironskull]

Assuming the rogue can exit a threatened square without provoking an AoO, as far as the whole run away and stealth bit.

[Vendev]

B.A. Ironskull wrote:

Assuming the rogue can exit a threatened square without provoking an AoO, as far as the whole run away and stealth bit.

Since the target is flat-footed still they cannot make an AoO.

[kinevon]

Vendev wrote:

B.A. Ironskull wrote:

Assuming the rogue can exit a threatened square without provoking an AoO, as far as the whole run away and stealth bit.

Since the target is flat-footed still they cannot make an AoO.

As long as they don't have a weapon in hand, and Combat Reflexes.

Or some ability that allows them to act in the surprise round.

[Quantum Steve]

Your Stealth ends after making an attack, but there's nothing preventing the Rogue from moving to cover after an attack an hiding again providing he meets the requirements for Stealth i.e. 1)cover/concealment, 2)unobserved.
The Rogue will likely have to move to full cover/total concealment to meet the unobserved requirement, but other than that, 'standard attack, move to cover and hide' works just fine. Spring Attack was made for exactly this strategy.

Fun Fact: The Sniping use of Stealth is pretty much only useful for bypassing the 'unobserved' requirement for stealth. If you're attacking from total concealment (ex. a dark room where you have dark vision and your opponent does not) you can simply hide like normal after the attack without penalty.

[djones]

To make sneak attack damage on subsequent rounds you may wish to also check out Improved Feint