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In my campaign, there is a Halfling Ninja that would like to leap onto the backs of large or larger creatures as part of his attack. I have a few questions about this.
1. is this a acrobatic move action or a CM(grapple)or both. Either case, would provoke an AoO I assume.
2. Once on the creatures back, may he then attach and get Sneak Attack damage?
3. What mechanics would I use to have him remain on there and for the large creature to dislodge him?
I love the image of the little Ninja leaping onto these creatures as part of combat and really need to sort out how to manage it.
Thank you.
Check out the Vexing Dodger archetype for rogue
if nothing else, it should give you some mechanical ideas for how to handle what your player wants to do
you could answer that by reading the archetype
but the short answer is yes
A level 1 splash of Strangler Brawler lets you deal sneak attack damage on a successful grapple check to damage or pin and opponent.
They actually have a rule for this in the 5 Edition DMG, which is nice, since this happens all the time in RPGs.
Granted, this is for a different system, but do opposed Acrobatics checks (standard action for jumper); if the climber is successful, he jump on the BBEG.
The next round, he would get sneak attack damage (the opponent can't the back of its back), but would use swift action to hold on.
I'd also think about looking at the Mouser (Swashbuckler) archetype for ideas on how to build your custom archetype. Particularly the affect on the larger combatants attacks against other enemies and the flanking rules are worth looking at.
1. Rule wise, I would say acrobatics to jump onto the back and then a grapple to hold on.
2. No sneak attack since you do not threaten while grappled
3. Grapple check each round to stay holding on and a grapple by the large creature to reverse the grapple and throw him
Agreed
I would give them sneak attack because
1. It takes a round to set up
2. If someone is on your back, it's hard to defend against them.
3. It would be cool.
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I plan on giving him the sneak attack. I really want to encourage, what has turned out to be an exceptionally timid group, into doing more epic stuff.
The image of a halfling leaping onto the back of an orge in the middle of combat in an attempt to stick a poison tipped dagger into its back is just way to cool not to reward it. My hope is that it will inspire the rest of the group to act more like heroes and not just survivors of a series of difficult situations.