Arcane Trickster, sneak attack and metamagic

[Theodoree]

I was wondering how metamagic effects the sneak attack damage tied to spells. I think they apply to sneak attack (empowered, maximized)
, but I'm not 100% certain.
Could anyone confirm this for me.

Heres a quote from Bulmahn I dug up

DR does not negate sneak attack damage. The sneak attack damage is not a special effect that accompanies the attack, it is part of the damage roll.

Hope that clears it up.

Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2kvtr?Rules-Clarification#6

Now here are the wording for empowered and maximized spell
Empowered----
All variable, numeric effects of an empowered spell are increased by half including bonuses to those dice rolls.
Maximized----
All variable, numeric effects of a spell modified by this feat are maximized. Saving throws and opposed rolls are not affected, nor are spells without random variables.

So If I'm correct does this mean the sneak attack dies are also Maximized and Empowered?

[Zhayne]

No. Sneak Attack is extra damage, and as such, not subject to modifiers on the base damage. Furthermore, Sneak Attack is a class ability, not a spell, and Empower and Maximize explicitly refer to 'a spell'.

[Theominster]

That makes enough sense. I see quite a few people complain about the Arcane Tricksters low damage (I still think its fine). Allowing sneak attack be effected by metamagic would give it a huge boost and make a lot of the criticism make less sense.

I still intend to buy a lesser maximize rod. Seems well suited for an arcane trickster.

[AndIMustMask]

even lesser quicken rods are super useful (especially if you keep them stored in glove of holding for easy use/stowing)

also: using invisibility (or greater invisibility) to drop things like SA + shocking grasp or acid arrows is great (the latter good for annoying mages).

[Thomas Long 175]

I still have to disagree. We have a quote directly from a developer that flat out states that it is not a special effect that accompanies the attack.

So it is not a special effect that accompanies the spell. Its part of the damage roll of the spell and thus would be accounted for under modifiers.