what's currently the consensus for fairness in regards to sneak attack. I've watched a ton Critical Role and DImension20 where Rogues get advantage for simply attacking an enemy that is engaged with someone else. Basically flanking in extreme. If i understood the rules correctly, this is not actually RAW. Would a ranged rogue even get sneak attack if two melee allies had flanked a monster? I am currently denying my rogue (who is an NPC ally to the party) most sneak attacks therefor and nobody is crying about it because a) they don't know the rules and b) it's not their character, but the rogue therefor feels kinda weak.
So, what's the most common/balanced homebrew rule for that?
Should i allow the rogue to simply use hide bonus actions easily and consider them hidden for the next round except if there is really nothing to hide behind? Sounds too op, as hiding also shields from incoming direct damage.
Should all players get advantage if their target is already engaged in melee?
Only if the attack is ranged and the target is engaged in melee?
Only if the attack is ranged and the attacker is a rogue?
Does a melee char that does not have an ally flanking the monster get advantage, if two other chars are already flanking the same monster?
Rogues get sneak attack (but not advantage) if the target is engaged in melee:
"You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll."
That may be what you're seeing in Critical Role and whatnot.
As I understand it, By RAW if a creature is adjacent to an ally, the rogue gets sneak attack against the creature. Not advantage, just sneak attack die on a hit. This applies to the rogue’s melee attacks, and ranged attacks if the rogue is within 30 feet of the creature.
The rogue can also get sneak attack if they have advantage, for whatever reason, and there is no adjacent ally.
It's right in the rules of Sneak attack, i must have never really read that. Thanks, that makes it very easy and convenient and i think it solves the problem very easily.
Yeah, unfortunately 5e has made Rogues into snipers who are far more effective at range than in close quarters. It's the only class design I really wrinkle my nose at.
I think raw is pretty balanced in that respect. It's the only damage source rogues have. To give it an oomph might make it too strong and if you start weakening it then rogues become significantly weaker.
As I understand it, By RAW if a creature is adjacent to an ally, the rogue gets sneak attack against the creature. Not advantage, just sneak attack die on a hit. This applies to the rogue’s melee attacks, and ranged attacks if the rogue is within 30 feet of the creature.
The rogue can also get sneak attack if they have advantage, for whatever reason, and there is no adjacent ally.
Where did you find the requirement for the rogue to be within 30ft of the target?
There is no range requirement - here's everything you need for a sneak attack:
Sneak Attack
Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak Attack column of the Rogue table.
Yeah, unfortunately 5e has made Rogues into snipers who are far more effective at range than in close quarters. It's the only class design I really wrinkle my nose at.
They're also decent with two weapon-fighting, since it gives them more chances to hit in a round, and so more chances to get a sneak attack. (not more sneak attacks, just more chances)
As I understand it, By RAW if a creature is adjacent to an ally, the rogue gets sneak attack against the creature. Not advantage, just sneak attack die on a hit. This applies to the rogue’s melee attacks, and ranged attacks if the rogue is within 30 feet of the creature.
The rogue can also get sneak attack if they have advantage, for whatever reason, and there is no adjacent ally.
Where did you find the requirement for the rogue to be within 30ft of the target?
By mistake, kind of, good catch. Thanks. I was thinking in terms of hand crossbow range. More than 30 feet and they have disadvantage, so they don’t get sneak attack. But you’re right that isn’t hard coded into the feature, just because of the weapon I see used most in my party.
Flanking is an optional rule. I don't use it, but that's just preference, not because of balance issues.
An ally being in melee gives you sneak attack, but not necessarily advantage. You can sneak attack without advantage.
Yes, a rogue at level 2 and up can use Cunning Action to bonus action Hide at the end of their turn, then attack with advantage the next round if their Stealth check beats the enemy's passive perception, but only if there is something plausible to hide behind. You must not be visible to your enemy to use Hide.
Swashbuckler rogues also get sneak attack if no one is within 5 feet of them (melee only). Steady Aim (Tasha's) will also give advantage for range attacks if no other movement takes place. All that to say that there's a bunch of different things that can trigger sneak attack. Rogues are tricky that way.
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Hi,
what's currently the consensus for fairness in regards to sneak attack. I've watched a ton Critical Role and DImension20 where Rogues get advantage for simply attacking an enemy that is engaged with someone else. Basically flanking in extreme. If i understood the rules correctly, this is not actually RAW. Would a ranged rogue even get sneak attack if two melee allies had flanked a monster? I am currently denying my rogue (who is an NPC ally to the party) most sneak attacks therefor and nobody is crying about it because a) they don't know the rules and b) it's not their character, but the rogue therefor feels kinda weak.
So, what's the most common/balanced homebrew rule for that?
Should i allow the rogue to simply use hide bonus actions easily and consider them hidden for the next round except if there is really nothing to hide behind? Sounds too op, as hiding also shields from incoming direct damage.
Should all players get advantage if their target is already engaged in melee?
Only if the attack is ranged and the target is engaged in melee?
Only if the attack is ranged and the attacker is a rogue?
Does a melee char that does not have an ally flanking the monster get advantage, if two other chars are already flanking the same monster?
Rogues get sneak attack (but not advantage) if the target is engaged in melee:
"You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll."
That may be what you're seeing in Critical Role and whatnot.
As I understand it, By RAW if a creature is adjacent to an ally, the rogue gets sneak attack against the creature. Not advantage, just sneak attack die on a hit. This applies to the rogue’s melee attacks, and ranged attacks
if the rogue is within 30 feet of the creature.The rogue can also get sneak attack if they have advantage, for whatever reason, and there is no adjacent ally.
It's right in the rules of Sneak attack, i must have never really read that. Thanks, that makes it very easy and convenient and i think it solves the problem very easily.
Yeah, unfortunately 5e has made Rogues into snipers who are far more effective at range than in close quarters. It's the only class design I really wrinkle my nose at.
I think raw is pretty balanced in that respect. It's the only damage source rogues have. To give it an oomph might make it too strong and if you start weakening it then rogues become significantly weaker.
Where did you find the requirement for the rogue to be within 30ft of the target?
There is no range requirement - here's everything you need for a sneak attack:
Sneak Attack
Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and exploit a foe’s distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. The attack must use a finesse or a ranged weapon.
You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Sneak Attack column of the Rogue table.
That's it...
They're also decent with two weapon-fighting, since it gives them more chances to hit in a round, and so more chances to get a sneak attack. (not more sneak attacks, just more chances)
By mistake, kind of, good catch. Thanks.
I was thinking in terms of hand crossbow range. More than 30 feet and they have disadvantage, so they don’t get sneak attack. But you’re right that isn’t hard coded into the feature, just because of the weapon I see used most in my party.
Yup... Ranged or Finesse... that's it as far as weapons go.
Flanking is an optional rule. I don't use it, but that's just preference, not because of balance issues.
An ally being in melee gives you sneak attack, but not necessarily advantage. You can sneak attack without advantage.
Yes, a rogue at level 2 and up can use Cunning Action to bonus action Hide at the end of their turn, then attack with advantage the next round if their Stealth check beats the enemy's passive perception, but only if there is something plausible to hide behind. You must not be visible to your enemy to use Hide.
Swashbuckler rogues also get sneak attack if no one is within 5 feet of them (melee only). Steady Aim (Tasha's) will also give advantage for range attacks if no other movement takes place. All that to say that there's a bunch of different things that can trigger sneak attack. Rogues are tricky that way.