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.
But in my game I have a Tabaxi Monk who wants to possibly crossclass with the rogue, shouldn't his claw attacks count as finesse? I can't seem to find anything on it, but I don't want to see him penalized and miss out on this cool feature. And the ability to do more damage. I mean, I am the DM so I can make it so...lol just wondering if there were rules that would make this so.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
As the DM you do have the choice to make it count as finesse or not and while the game may not qualify them as finesse, I asked myself this question. "What makes a weapon finesse"? I would argue that it's mostly weapons, especially melee ones, that are light and easy to maneuver or aim (don't ask me about the whip or dart). Is there a melee weapon that is easier to aim than one's hands? If it were my campaign, I would allow it.
I decided to let him use his claws as a finesse weapon...thanks for the input, y'all. It makes sense to my that his hands are full of finesse. I mean, he has a pretty gnarly sleight of hand...lol He's a monk cross-classing as a rogue, so this should get very interesting! Thankfully, we're not playing Adventures League; just a PbP in the forums. :)
And yes, best not to ask which game, fil...lol :P
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"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
Hi. If you read the tabaxi, they explain the claw feature saying you can use your claw in replacement of the normal unarmed attack (which is strength based).
But, if you read the martial art feature of the monk, it explain that a monk can use its dexterity with unarmed strike and all monk weapons. In my mind, that features means your martial arts training let you use all those weapons, including unarmed strike / natural weapons, as if they had the Finesse quality.
Based on this logic, I would allow the use of the Sneak attack feature with any monk weapon wielded... including unarmed strike / natural weapons (ex. claws) for any character that multiclassed as a monk/rogue.
Hi. If you read the tabaxi, they explain the claw feature saying you can use your claw in replacement of the normal unarmed attack (which is strength based).
But, if you read the martial art feature of the monk, it explain that a monk can use its dexterity with unarmed strike and all monk weapons. In my mind, that features means your martial arts training let you use all those weapons, including unarmed strike / natural weapons, as if they had the Finesse quality.
Based on this logic, I would allow the use of the Sneak attack feature with any monk weapon wielded... including unarmed strike / natural weapons (ex. claws) for any character that multiclassed as a monk/rogue.
Hope this helps!
The answers previous to this are correct - the claws are NOT a finesse weapon and therefore cannot be used for a sneak attack, using the Rules As Written (RAW).
Personally, I think it's perfectly ok to let them do this, as a house rule.
I know claws are not finesse weapon, but the martial art training of the monk lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll with natural weapons... this description is nearly a "cut and paste" of the Finesse quality description that lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll of a specific weapon. That's why I've said that I would let a Tabaxi Rogue/monk use sneak attack with his claw, but not a fighter/rogue (since it lacks the martial art feature / training).
I know claws are not finesse weapon, but the martial art training of the monk lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll with natural weapons... this description is nearly a "cut and paste" of the Finesse quality description that lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll of a specific weapon. That's why I've said that I would let a Tabaxi Rogue/monk use sneak attack with his claw, but not a fighter/rogue (since it lacks the martial art feature / training).
This was answered in sage advice I think. Basically it is worded that way so unarmed attacks can't be used with sneak attack otherwise they would say your monk weapons and unarmed strikes would gain finesse property. In same way you can actually wield a quarterstaff or spear with two hand and still use your dex with monk or can get bonus unarmed strike (or flurry of blows) since it does not include versatile only two-handed being mentioned as restriction. In short rules are as RAW there is no hidden message or linking between them which is why the errata is just a double page long pdf.
Ofcourse last word is DM's but like mentioned above you can't use it with Adventure League.
Okay, so Sneak Attack states:
But in my game I have a Tabaxi Monk who wants to possibly crossclass with the rogue, shouldn't his claw attacks count as finesse? I can't seem to find anything on it, but I don't want to see him penalized and miss out on this cool feature. And the ability to do more damage. I mean, I am the DM so I can make it so...lol just wondering if there were rules that would make this so.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
Unfortunately, no. Tabaxi's claws are not finesse, so they can't be used for Sneak Attack.
Better not to ask which game is that ;-)
As the DM you do have the choice to make it count as finesse or not and while the game may not qualify them as finesse, I asked myself this question. "What makes a weapon finesse"? I would argue that it's mostly weapons, especially melee ones, that are light and easy to maneuver or aim (don't ask me about the whip or dart). Is there a melee weapon that is easier to aim than one's hands? If it were my campaign, I would allow it.
In Adventurers League, no. Otherwise, DM discretion.
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I decided to let him use his claws as a finesse weapon...thanks for the input, y'all. It makes sense to my that his hands are full of finesse. I mean, he has a pretty gnarly sleight of hand...lol He's a monk cross-classing as a rogue, so this should get very interesting! Thankfully, we're not playing Adventures League; just a PbP in the forums. :)
And yes, best not to ask which game, fil...lol :P
"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
Hi. If you read the tabaxi, they explain the claw feature saying you can use your claw in replacement of the normal unarmed attack (which is strength based).
But, if you read the martial art feature of the monk, it explain that a monk can use its dexterity with unarmed strike and all monk weapons. In my mind, that features means your martial arts training let you use all those weapons, including unarmed strike / natural weapons, as if they had the Finesse quality.
Based on this logic, I would allow the use of the Sneak attack feature with any monk weapon wielded... including unarmed strike / natural weapons (ex. claws) for any character that multiclassed as a monk/rogue.
Hope this helps!
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I know claws are not finesse weapon, but the martial art training of the monk lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll with natural weapons... this description is nearly a "cut and paste" of the Finesse quality description that lets you use your DEX on attack roll and damage roll of a specific weapon. That's why I've said that I would let a Tabaxi Rogue/monk use sneak attack with his claw, but not a fighter/rogue (since it lacks the martial art feature / training).