Double slice and sneak attack math


Advice


With the Double slice feat you can make two Strikes, one with each of your two melee weapons, each using your current multiple attack penalty.

If both attacks hit, you combine their damage, and then add any other applicable effects from both weapons. You add any precision damage only once, to the attack of your choice.

From a purely mathematical pov, for a rogue with 2d6 sneak attack damage, would it be more beneficial to strike with his first attack with no map, and follow with Double slice, or to start with Double slice and follow with a -8 third attack (assuming an agile weapon)?


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From a purely mathematical view, there's no solution since there will be undefined variables, namely the opponent's AC, but numerous other tactical factors as well.
Are you fighting a skeleton-type creature with good AC & resistances yet poor h.p.? Then getting two non-MAP attacks hoping one hits works fine, and the combined damage helps too vs. those resistances.
Are you fighting zombie-type creatures with horrible AC, perhaps w/ a Weakness you want to trigger? Then you want to separate out all your attacks to keep the bonuses racking up.
As a rule of thumb, fighting upward you'll want to use Double Slice and fighting downward you'll not (if set up for Sneak Attack or other bonuses). The middle ground you'll have to play by ear and/or calculate with overly complex math when your tactical efforts could be better applied elsewhere. But getting two non-MAP attacks is superior in most middle cases because secondary attacks aren't reliable beasts. You may lose those +2d6, yet that poor luck only occurs when you're lucky and get two hits.
(Note this will shift as you get into the highest levels and your Sneak becomes greater while your attacks more reliably hit at-level opponents.)

As for the 3rd action, you should build around having a better option than a 3rd Strike! Whether it's moving into position or away from danger; putting up a Shield Cantrip; maybe Tripping w/ Assurance; or perhaps debuffing w/ a Demoralize before attacking, your PC (especially a talented Rogue) should have something more productive to do. Yet even that has exceptions when fighting creatures easily hit, right?

So yeah, too many variables and too many exceptions in actual play to give a single, simple answer you can apply at leisure.

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