I'm a complete newbie and am unsure how to interpret the rogue's (5e) sneak attack in terms of attack order. Is it like a bonus when I meet conditions and then I continue to do the normal combat routine of attack and move? Or will the sneak attack be my the attack and then I can only move?
When you make an attack that does not have disadvantage and either 1) has advantage or 2) has an enemy of your target within 5ft of your target, when you make your first attack, you simply roll for your Sneak Attack and add that damage to the total damage of the attack. If you get a critical hit, your Sneak Attack dice are also doubled.
The Fighter moves in to engage and attacks the Ogre with his Longsword.
Now the Rogue gets to act. As the Ogre is engaged with the Fighter, the Rogue is able to use their sneak attack feature on the ogre, so the Rogue moves in alongside the fighter (they don't have to be behind or flank) and attacks with their Shortsword. If the attack hits, then as well as rolling damage for the Shortsword attack, the Rogue also adds their sneak attack damage to the damage done to the Ogre.
If the Rogue missed their shortsword attack against the Ogre, they can still gain sneak attack damage on another attack, even if it's via two-weapon fighting. In this example, the Rogue can attack with their "off hand" dagger and if that hits (and the shortsword attack missed) then Sneak Attack damage is applied to the dagger attack. You can only add Sneak Attack damage once during your turn, unless the character gains a feature that says otherwise.
I understand how how the sneak attack works. I am building a Bugbear Rouge and my question is does Sneak attack (rouge) and the Surprise attack (bugbear) stack?
I understand how how the sneak attack works. I am building a Bugbear Rouge and my question is does Sneak attack (rouge) and the Surprise attack (bugbear) stack?
Yes it does, though the conditions may be a little awkward to line up; your target needs to be surprised (so make sure your DM uses the surprise rules properly) and you need to hit it in the first round, but you also need to meet the conditions for sneak attack (have advantage or an ally within 5 feet).
If your DM uses the surprise rules properly then it could pair extremely well with the Assassin sub-class for an auto-critical vs. a surprised target, with a strong chance of also having advantage, in which case you have automatic double sneak attack dice. Swashbuckler can also work well as they can get sneak attack extremely easily thanks to Rakish Audacity (get sneak attack vs. target if you're the only creature within 5 feet of it), though that doesn't pair as well with a Bugbear's reach.
You can also try to bonus action Hide as any type of Rogue, as long as there is reasonable cover for you to remain hidden behind before attacking then you can get advantage that way; and lastly with the Tasha's Cauldron Steady Aim class feature you can always make a ranged attack with advantage as long as you don't move.
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I'm a complete newbie and am unsure how to interpret the rogue's (5e) sneak attack in terms of attack order. Is it like a bonus when I meet conditions and then I continue to do the normal combat routine of attack and move? Or will the sneak attack be my the attack and then I can only move?
When you make an attack that does not have disadvantage and either 1) has advantage or 2) has an enemy of your target within 5ft of your target, when you make your first attack, you simply roll for your Sneak Attack and add that damage to the total damage of the attack.
If you get a critical hit, your Sneak Attack dice are also doubled.
It's just extra damage.
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I understand how how the sneak attack works. I am building a Bugbear Rouge and my question is does Sneak attack (rouge) and the Surprise attack (bugbear) stack?
Yes it does, though the conditions may be a little awkward to line up; your target needs to be surprised (so make sure your DM uses the surprise rules properly) and you need to hit it in the first round, but you also need to meet the conditions for sneak attack (have advantage or an ally within 5 feet).
If your DM uses the surprise rules properly then it could pair extremely well with the Assassin sub-class for an auto-critical vs. a surprised target, with a strong chance of also having advantage, in which case you have automatic double sneak attack dice. Swashbuckler can also work well as they can get sneak attack extremely easily thanks to Rakish Audacity (get sneak attack vs. target if you're the only creature within 5 feet of it), though that doesn't pair as well with a Bugbear's reach.
You can also try to bonus action Hide as any type of Rogue, as long as there is reasonable cover for you to remain hidden behind before attacking then you can get advantage that way; and lastly with the Tasha's Cauldron Steady Aim class feature you can always make a ranged attack with advantage as long as you don't move.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
Thanks!