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In our current campaign a halfling rogue is thinking of taking a level in Magus, mainly to get access to True Strike. The question is, can she use stealth to get within 5 feet of a unsuspecting foe, then do a 5-foot step, cast True Strike and attack (using the spell combat ability) and get her sneak attack damage on the blow?
Also, does she have to cast that True Strike defensively, or does approaching by stealth mean the foe doesn't get an attack of opportunity for someone casting in a threatened square?
Any help much appreciated!
If she hasn't been spotted before she starts casting the spell, she doesn't need to cast defensively: you can't take an AoO on something you can't see or don't know is there.
My husband runs a rogue/magus combination with the Wand Wielder arcana. He carries a wand of Vanish in one spring-loaded wrist sheath and a wand of True Strike in the other. If he can't get a flanking partner, he uses the Vanish/Five-foot-step/Attack combo to get his sneak attack in (or Attack then Vanish, to get sneak attack on the next round). If he has trouble hitting or runs into concealment, he uses True Strike/Attack.
It's a pretty effective combination, and wands don't provoke, so there's no need to cast defensively.
Thanks all!
LoneKnave - I think you have it right if she sneaks up to surprise a foe before a combat has begun; you don't get the full attack action in a surprise round.
However, if the combat is already underway and she sneaks up, then does the 5-foot step and a full-attack 'spell combat' action in a flanking position to the foe, I'd assume the casting wouldn't provoke an AoO as the foe was unaware - and the attack would still get sneak damage as she was flanking.
Sound right?
The only other situation is if a combat is underway but the rogue/magus is sneaking up behind someone not in melee (e.g. an enemy spellcaster who's hanging back).
If that foe has acted already in the combat, are they still considered flat-footed to the rogue for the purposes of that rogue's stealthy approach and attack?
Thoughts welcomed, folks.
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Bastards of Golarion has an archtype that grants sneak attack to a magus in place of the usual arcane pool weapon enhancement, and evasion and improved evasion instead of medium and heavy armor. If that does not help with what your player is trying maybe they can go arcane trickster which I believe lets you sneak attack with and actual spell. Plus true strike is like a held charge with no duration. It last until your next attack so, cast, go invisible, move in and sneak attack
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Silent True Strike required here, otherwise you're taking a risk that your stealth will be foiled.
Depending on how lenient your GM is, he may allow the spell to be whispered instead of spoken out loud. As per the prd the perception DCs are as follows for someone casting:
Hear the details of a conversation 0
Hear the details of a whispered conversation 15
I would personally not allow it as the verbal component description in the rules is clear that stealth is not possible:
Verbal (V): A verbal component is a spoken incantation. To provide a verbal component, you must be able to speak in a strong voice. A silence spell or a gag spoils the incantation (and thus the spell). A spellcaster who has been deafened has a 20% chance of spoiling any spell with a verbal component that he tries to cast.