You are skilled in getting 'the drop' on unsuspecting targets and able to exploit flaws in their defenses to your advantage.
Surprise Strike:
Once per turn, you are able to deal an extra 1d6 damage (of the same damage type as the attack) to one creature you hit with an attack provided you have advantage on the attack roll. If a target is surprised this damage bonus is increased to 2d6 damage for the attack.
Lie in Wait:
By surveying and/or altering the area around you, you are able to establish a 10 foot cube that gives advantage to Dexterity(stealth) checks for anyone that is not moving or taking actions (other than hiding) within the area. Each 10 foot cube takes 10 minutes to prepare but there is no limit to the number of cubes that can be created. There must be suitable terrain and/or objects to enable creatures to create the hiding spot.
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2/9/2018 9:11:37 AM
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Posted Apr 30, 2018I like surprise strike as a mini-sneak attack, it echoes the multi-classing feats of 4th edition in a way that feels supported by feats like Martial Adept and Magic Initiate. I'm less of a fan for the boost on surprised targets, but it doesn't break the bank.
Lie in Wait doesn't really feel connected to surprise strike, It's also kind of weird having named sub-feats inside a larger feat.
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Posted May 1, 2018Thanks for your response.
The concept for Surprise Strike is more a hark back to the old D&D backstab in that the opponent couldn't know you were there to use it (it had to be a surprise attack). I found that players would often just use Surprise Strike without any concern to stealth if it was just the advantage benefit (often taken for just for more damage rather than flavour). Oddly by adding the bonus I saw a drastic change in it's use to be combined with stealth far more often than it previously did, leading it to be more the flavourful feature I was looking for. It also added that bit more defining factor to it that 5th ed Feats are going for as opposed to those of previous editions.
Lie in Wait is more about setting up an Ambush. It lets players take control and set up places to then undertake a surprise attack (ie. the ability to set up a situation in which to use Surprise Strike). It is more akin to a class 'ribbon' ability in showing their knowledge about tasks than a direct growth in combat power.
The separate names are just to avoid confusion when players use them. A number of feats in 5th have a few distinct functions, and we have found from playing that they were described via their mechanics rather than some flavourful name. So for ambush instead of a player saying "I'm trying to make a surprise attack and adding my 2d6 from ambush" they simply say, "I attempt a surprise strike" and everyone knows they are using the ability. Just like one would say "I made a sneak attack" rather than "I'm adding my 4d6 to damage because I'm a rogue".
I hope that clarifies things a bit more :)