Got a double question concerning these two scenarios:
1, Nocticula's boon states "whenever you make a sneak attack against a creature that is aware of your presence and considers you an ally, your sneak attack dice are increased to d10s". If I have the ability to take a full round’s worth of actions from the lookout feat, scorpion bloodline or similar, will all of my attacks made using my full attack action in the surprise round gain the increased damage or just the first?
2, For abilities that function differently against unaware opponents such as the slayer talent "mountainside ambush", if I have the ability to take a full round’s worth of actions from the lookout feat, scorpion bloodline or similar, is my target considered unaware for all of my attacks made using my full attack action in the surprise round or just the first?
I'm looking for RAW or close to it here, not opinions on game balance or build suggestions. The requirements for these situations are often hard to meet and im trying to work out if they're worth the extra effort.
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First, we need to determine how the game defines Unaware.
Unaware Combatants: Combatants who are unaware at the start of battle don’t get to act in the surprise round. Unaware combatants are flat-footed because they have not acted yet, so they lose any Dexterity bonus to AC.
Unaware: On one end of the spectrum, a sneaking creature can succeed at Stealth well enough that the other creature isn’t even aware that the creature is present. This state allows the sneaking creature to use abilities such as the vigilante’s startling appearance. The Stealth skill description in the Core Rulebook says that perceiving creatures that fail to beat a sneaking character’s Stealth check result are not aware of the sneaking character, but that is different from being totally unaware. This is also true of a creature that has previously been made aware of the creature’s presence or location (see below) but is currently unable to observe the sneaking creature. In those cases, the sneaking creature can’t use abilities such as startling presence.
So:
1) Nocticula requirements: "the target is aware of you and considers you an ally".
If the character would still consider the Nocticula follower an ally after the first sneak attack is a GM call depending on the circumstances, as PCs normally consider allies even people thath that are normally part of their group but are currently under the effect of confusion, dominate, etc.
RAW the one attacked is aware of who attacked him and not asleep or under other effects that stop him from thinking (as the requirement is to be aware and you can't be aware of something if you can't think), so the change in perception of the rapport between the attacked creature and the Nocticula follower can be immediate, from ally to enemy.
So the reply is 1 single hit unless the target has some reason to still consider the Nocticula follower as an ally.
2) Muntainslide ambush is resolved by the Ultimate Intrigue citation. Unaware isn't flat footed, is not knowing at all of the attacker existence.
After the first sneak attack the target is aware of the attacker existence but is still flat-footed.
So Muntinslide ambush works on the first attack, while the other eventual attacks are normal sneak attacks.
To be fair, the ability doesn't call out that the creature know you are what attacked it, so there are a couple rogue talents that help you maintain your innocent appearance and let you go "no it was totally that guy" or something similar to keep your d10's, but as far as I am aware, all of them are specific actions that preclude a full attack.
Im now planning on using the occultist implement power Forced Alliance so the target wont have a choice in considering me as an ally. Its a big investment for a fairly niche power but it could be an interesting build. I'm Just working out the kinks in using the power without disrupting my action economy too badly.