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Just wondering whether the Heartseeker magic weapon property would allow a character to sneak attack creatures who have concealment. If I'm ignoring the miss chance, then it seems like I should also be ignoring the inability to sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment, especially if my weapon is "being drawn unerringly toward beating hearts," but it's not exactly clear. Thoughts?
HEARTSEEKER
Price +1 bonus; Aura moderate necromancy; CL 7th; Weight —
This special ability can only be placed on melee weapons. A heartseeker weapon is drawn unerringly toward beating hearts. A heartseeker weapon ignores the miss chance for concealment against most living targets, though the attack must still target the proper square. This special ability does not apply against aberrations, oozes, plants, outsiders with the elemental subtype, or any creature specifically noted to lack a heart.CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Cost +1 bonus
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, death knell
If you are ignoring miss chance then it should work.
Just wondering whether the Heartseeker magic weapon property would allow a character to sneak attack creatures who have concealment. If I'm ignoring the miss chance, then it seems like I should also be ignoring the inability to sneak attack while striking a creature with concealment, especially if my weapon is "being drawn unerringly toward beating hearts," but it's not exactly clear. Thoughts?
HEARTSEEKER
Price +1 bonus; Aura moderate necromancy; CL 7th; Weight —
This special ability can only be placed on melee weapons. A heartseeker weapon is drawn unerringly toward beating hearts. A heartseeker weapon ignores the miss chance for concealment against most living targets, though the attack must still target the proper square. This special ability does not apply against aberrations, oozes, plants, outsiders with the elemental subtype, or any creature specifically noted to lack a heart.CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
Cost +1 bonus
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, death knell
If you ignored concealment of the target due to the Heartseeker ability, then yes you could sneak attack someone with concealment. Keep in mind that there's concealment for a 20% miss chance, and total concealment for a 50% miss chance. Depending on your GM, they might rule that this +1 ability only negates the 20% concealment and not the 50% concealment. Wording and GM interpretation pretty much make or break abilities like this one.
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It says concealment. Which is 20%. Total concealment is different. Cover is not blocked, even though it is only 20% as well. And Total Cover is not blocked either (as it doesn't allow attacks anyway).
One might discuss the idea that it does only what it says it does: you don't have to roll the miss chance for concealment. Obviously, the person can still be not seen; thus the "proper square" disclaimer. A person in stealth might be hiding (with 20% concealment), and you manage to target the right square.
Now, why this would work any better or worse against an invisible target or a hiding target that isn't seen is arguable. So the "concealment" might just be a "bad wording" - it might have meant to imply all concealment since the second part talks about total concealment (proper square is generally total concealment talk).
In the end, I think it is poorly worded and should apply to all concealment, but only negate the miss chance - and no sneak attack damage is applied (as it does imply both, and intentionally does state, you don't really know where the person is, just the target square).
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Yes... if just 'being drawn unerringly toward beating hearts' is enough to justify for Sneak Attack damage on its own, then why doesn't my Fighter get Sneak Attack damage using the thing? Or my 1st level elderly Commoner granny?..
... But yes, it could just be bad wording.
I'd agree, it basically just means "it aims for center mass" so you don't miss. Mostly, center mass isn't a critical location (as stated, it is one of the best defended locations). Arm pits, hamstrings, joints, necks, and soft targets like eyes, ears, noses, palms, pressure points and kneecaps are critical locations.
Don't believe it? Have a friend punch you (unerringly) in the chest once. Then have them punch you (unerringly, again) in the ear or nose or eye. The damage difference will be visible. Or if you don't like getting hit, just imagine it. I'd take a punch to the torso any day.
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Concealment is not equivalent to Miss-Chance. Ignoring one does not allow you to ignore the other. The target would still get all the other benefits of concealment, such as immunity to sneak attacks.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Concealment is not equivalent to Miss-Chance. Ignoring one does not allow you to ignore the other. The target would still get all the other benefits of concealment, such as immunity to sneak attacks.
Bingo. Heartseeker does not negate concealment, only the miss chance. Concealment has other benefits. Such as negating Sneak Attack.
The concealment is the reason for the miss chance, but I do agree the author should have just worded it better. I will just FAQ it.