I'm interested in trying out a Slayer. Until now, I hadn't given it much thought.
I'm looking at the Sniper and/or the Stygian Slayer Archetypes.
I'm not too interested in playing a switch hitter, and am quite interested in going all in with the bow.
Is there any way of guaranteeing sneak attack damage?
What feats?
What Slayer/Rogue talents?
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The best way to consistently get ranged sneak attack is for you to be able to see your target while they are unable to see you;
Sniping
Invisibility
Darkness + Darkvision
Magical Darkness + See in Darkness
Tiny Hut
Fog Cloud + Fog Vision
Etc (dozens of different options)
Also, let me just say: Greater Sniper Goggles
Smoke Tactics.
Some low-level racial options to see through smoke is the Smoke Resistant kobold race trait (available through adopted or Racial Heritage), and the Firesight feat.
You also want a Prehensile Tail so that you can use the Equipment Trick feat for smokesticks even while using a bow, so Tiefling or Kobold fits the bill.
Then you create 10ft cubes of smoke with your swift actions and full-attack with your bow. If you have one square of smoke between you and your target you have total concealment and they lose their dex-to-AC against your attacks. It's also a great defensive boon as you're immune to targetable effects and enemies can't charge you.
I can think of a couple methods that work at range.
Saltspray Ring + Goz Mask + Sniper Goggles
gives you full concealment you can see though and you can sneak attack at any range.
The feat shattered defenses can be used to get sneak attack. However, it requires that you have a way of making the creature shakened. This isn't difficult when it comes to melee as you can achieve this with any of the following
Enforcer, Cornugon Smash, Bullying Blow, Boar Ferocity
The last one can be used with a ranged attack if you combine it with Weapon Style Mastery and Ascetic Style. This is because it lets you use the feat with a weapon from the monk fighter group. That group contains a handful of ranged thrown weapons such as the Deer Horn knife and Shuriken.
Unfortunately, this method wouldn't really come online until 9th level. The build would look something like this. Which could be adapted for slayer.
Scary Ascetic Thrower (Rogue/Fighter/Other)
Key concepts: A ranged attacker makes enemies flee in fear
Deity: (Warpriest Build) Yaezhing
Race: Human
Key Traits: Memorable, Adopted, Fiery Glare
Optional Traits: Weapon Training, Steel Skin, Bloody-Minded, Demoralizing Presence, Shadow Whispers, Omen
Class: Ranger(1), Rogue(1), Fighter(1), Ranger(X)
or Rogue(1), Warpriest(X)
Archetype: Thug(Rogue), Arsenal Chaplain(Warpriest), Unarmed Fighter(Fighter)
Combat Style: Archery
Feats (Warpriest Build): Point-Blank Shot(1st), Improved Unarmed Strike(1st), Ascetic Style(3rd), Boar Style(5th), Boar Ferocity(7th), Weapon Style Mastery(9th), Clustered Shots (11th), Manyshot(12th)
Bonus Feats (Warpriest Build): Weapon Focus[Deer Horn Knife](2nd), Precise Shot(4th), Martial Focus[Monk](7th), Rapid Shot(10th), Imp. Precise Shot(13th)
Key Feats (Ranger Build): Quick Draw (1st), Weapon Focus[Thrown Monk Weapon](1st), Ascetic Style(3rd), Boar Style(5th), Boar Ferocity(7th), Point-Blank Shot(9th), Clustered Shots (11th), Imp. Precise Shot(13th )
Bonus Feats (Ranger Build): Improved Unarmed Strike(3rd), (3rd), Precise Shot(4th), Rapid Shot(8th), Manyshot(12th)
Suggested Feats: Frightening Ambush, Shatter Defenses, Extra Traits(Bruising Intellect), Cleave, Cleaving Finish, Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike, Cleaving Smash, Greater Vital Strike, Killing Flourish, Shocking Bellow, Bloody Mess, Death’s Nightmare, Disconcerting Knowledge, Intimidating Performance, Savage Critical
Suggested Gear: Perfectionist Shavtoosh
Key Features: • At 7th level when you hit with two or more ranged monk weapons you can deal an extra 2d6 damage and intimidate as a free action.
• Beating the DC by 5 or more on a check causes creatures to be frightened.
Edit: I was able to rework the build above for slayer and get everything online at 7th level.
Ascetic Sneak Attacker
Race: Human
Class: Slayer(4), Fighter(1), Slayer(X)
Archetype: Unarmed Fighter(Fighter)
Slayer Talents: Ranger Combat Style(2nd), Ranger Combat Style(7th)
Combat Style: Menacing
Key Feats: Quick Draw (1st), Weapon Focus[Thrown Monk Weapon](1st), Ascetic Style(3rd), Boar Style(5th), Boar Ferocity(7th), Point Blank Shot(9th), Precise Shot(11th),
Bonus Feats: Gory Finish(2nd), Improved Unarmed Strike(5th), Weapon Style Master(5th), Shatter Defenses(7th)
The Scout Archetype for rogue allows Sneak Attack on ranged attacks... so long as you move at least 10 feet each round... unfortunately it doesn’t get the ability until 8th level... and using your move action to move 10 feet each round means no full attacks for rapid shot or manyshot...
If you can guarantee you are not seen for every shot, does sneak damage get tact on to every shot?
If you can guarantee you are not seen for every shot, does sneak damage get tact on to every shot?
yes, sneak attack applies to every attack it is eligible for. This is why flanking is often the preferred method to achieve sneak attack. It doesn't require any feats or skills just positioning and a helpful ally.
It's worth noting that flanking does not apply to ranged attacks in PF1.
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If you can guarantee you are not seen for every shot, does sneak damage get tact on to every shot?
Yes.
If the target cannot see (or otherwise precisely observe, e.g. with blindsight) the attack coming they lose their Dexterity bonus to AC and thus are subject to sneak attack.
An invisibility spell or attacking from stealth normally gets broken after the first attack, but greater invisibility would allow sneak attack for each iterative in a full attack action.
Luckily for me I played a ranged Sanctified Slayer Inquisitor on the Kingmaker AP. During the first module I acquired the Stag's Helm, which makes a creature within 30 feet of me flat-footed as a free action 3x per day, since I also worshiped Erastil. It's pretty sweet! So I had no problem getting sneak attack damage (along with bane/greater bane), and later I got Sniper Goggles. I had guaranteed sneak attack at range 3x/day. Later I put Holy on my bow which was even more sick. Frankly I'd ask your DM if he can see his way to let you craft or buy the Stag's Helm.
I know you are wanting to play a Slayer, but the tactic should still work. Invisibility and greater invisibility is an easy one also.
You may want to take the feat Accomplished Sneak Attacker, which will increase your sneak attack damage by 1d6. Acute Shot is also useful, but it takes Far Shot to qualify for.
J
Now if I ran a Moroi-Born DhampirSanctified Slayer Ravener Hunter with the Waves Mystery. I could take Water sight, and hide in my SLA Obscuring Mist to have Sneak Attack with every hit
Limitations on the Mist Assassin are 1) annoying your friends and allies who may not be able to see thru fog either, 2) getting caught where you can't easily 5' step away or getting forced out of the mist, 3) enemies with uncanny dodge or the ashen path spell (magic items, blindsight & the improved blind-fight feat exist but tend to be high level).
If you're a stalker getting caught without sneak attack is annoying rather than doom for you, but watch out for these things.
Just remember, if you cause the enemy to not see you in a way that keeps the party from seeing the enemy, you will have trouble.
This is why the Salt Spray ring is better than the spell Obscuring Mist.
/cevah
This is why the Salt Spray ring is better than the spell Obscuring Mist.
Hinging a build on a magic item has never felt right to me. Mainly because it is so easy for the DM to take away.