Rogues can only use sneak attack once per turn, but what if they are holding a readied attack action and it is triggered just before their next turn? They use their readied action to attack and it fits the bill for a sneak attack (ally engaged in melee with opponent), they hit and roll all the damage. Next up, the rogue again (new turn), they attack again (parameters haven't changed) do they get to use sneak attack on consecutive rolls?
I ruled "Yes" in my home game over the weekend because readying allows you to hold your action until before your next turn, but when the rogue went nuclear I had second thoughts.
They readied attack took place on somebody else's turn. The non readied attack took place on the rogue's turn. Therefore, since the two attacks took place on separate turns, sneak attack is allowed.
Readied actions count as reactions, reaction dont happen as a part of your turn, this a the great workaround feature. good gut instinct too on your part. and yeah, rogues hit hard, but they get hit hard too so its a great give/take.
Pictographic:
PC Turn( Action[attack+sneakattack], Bonus Action, Movement) End.
Off turn (Reaction[opportunityattack+sneakattack]) End.
Barring any other limitations, the only time a reaction attack couldn't benefit from Sneak Attack is if it was triggerred on the same turn another SneakAttack was used.
If their readied action occurred in the following round (before their initiative number) then they missed out on attacking during the round in which they performed the Ready Action. So they only really benefit if they are out of range of the target on the earlier round.
If their readied action occurred in the following round (before their initiative number) then they missed out on attacking during the round in which they performed the Ready Action. So they only really benefit if they are out of range of the target on the earlier round.
*Or for some reason can't meet the conditions for sneak attack on their own turn.
I think WotC is considering changing sneak attack in 1D&D to not be able to do this. Hopefully the survey convinced them not to. Rogues can barely keep up with casters and paladins as is.
As mentioned the answer is yes. A rogue can use their reaction on a turn that isn't theirs to make a readied attack and if they qualify for sneak attack then they benefit from it.
This would allow a rogue to take the Ready action to make an attack in the first round, perhaps saying "I will attack when my ally is next to the target so that I get sneak attack", the rogue would get to make this attack on his ally's turn. If the rogue's turn came next, they can also resolve their next attack on their own turn with the benefit of sneak attack if it hits.
One thing to keep in mind, there are very few ways in which a rogue can do this every turn other than haste. When Hasted, a rogue can make one attack with the attack action from haste and then use their regular Action to Ready another attack to take place on another player's turn in response to a trigger. This way they can get sneak attack on both their turn and on another player's turn.
One thing to keep in mind, there are very few ways in which a rogue can do this every turn other than haste. When Hasted, a rogue can make one attack with the attack action from haste and then use their regular Action to Ready another attack to take place on another player's turn in response to a trigger. This way they can get sneak attack on both their turn and on another player's turn.
Hmmmm.... that's interesting. In this way the Rogue gets two sneak attacks in one round of combat. I suppose if they multi-classed into fighter and used an Action Surge they could pull the same kind of shenanigans: attack w/sneak attack, Action Surge to Ready an action and attack on ally's turn (w/sneak attack again). Do you think that this throws the Rogue's damage per round capabilities off balance a bit?
Hmmmm.... that's interesting. In this way the Rogue gets two sneak attacks in one round of combat. I suppose if they multi-classed into fighter and used an Action Surge they could pull the same kind of shenanigans: attack w/sneak attack, Action Surge to Ready an action and attack on ally's turn (w/sneak attack again). Do you think that this throws the Rogue's damage per round capabilities off balance a bit?
Not really, since you don't get an Action Surge every round.
Reactions can definitely be used by a creature on its turn. A rogue that decides to chance a couple of opportunity attacks that gets hit can use their uncanny dodge to reduce damage on one hit. Similarly casters can cast shield in their turn if they’re hit. Casters may also attempt to counterspell an enemy counterspell on their turn.
If their readied action occurred in the following round (before their initiative number) then they missed out on attacking during the round in which they performed the Ready Action. So they only really benefit if they are out of range of the target on the earlier round.
*Or for some reason can't meet the conditions for sneak attack on their own turn.
I think WotC is considering changing sneak attack in 1D&D to not be able to do this. Hopefully the survey convinced them not to. Rogues can barely keep up with casters and paladins as is.
Honestly, in my experience Rogues keep up just fine. Granted, that was with DMs who do generally prefer to work at least two or three encounters into a typical fighting day. Casters and paladins start to burn out, while Sneak Attack is always there. Besides, by 5th level rogue is already getting a better average from Sneak Attack than a paladin is from Smites against normal foes or a caster is from their cantrips. The others might pull ahead on short-term burst, but rogues are very good for the long haul.
One thing to keep in mind, there are very few ways in which a rogue can do this every turn other than haste. When Hasted, a rogue can make one attack with the attack action from haste and then use their regular Action to Ready another attack to take place on another player's turn in response to a trigger. This way they can get sneak attack on both their turn and on another player's turn.
Hmmmm.... that's interesting. In this way the Rogue gets two sneak attacks in one round of combat. I suppose if they multi-classed into fighter and used an Action Surge they could pull the same kind of shenanigans: attack w/sneak attack, Action Surge to Ready an action and attack on ally's turn (w/sneak attack again). Do you think that this throws the Rogue's damage per round capabilities off balance a bit?
I don’t think it’s off balance damage-wise. It’s not a guarantee. Instead of 2 levels of fighter you could take the Sentinel feat so if you are in combat with an ally next to you and a creature attacks them, and they don’t have Sentinel as well, you can use your reaction to make an attack w/ sneak attack. But that’s more situational and requires the creature to attack your ally instead of you.
Rogues can only use sneak attack once per turn, but what if they are holding a readied attack action and it is triggered just before their next turn? They use their readied action to attack and it fits the bill for a sneak attack (ally engaged in melee with opponent), they hit and roll all the damage. Next up, the rogue again (new turn), they attack again (parameters haven't changed) do they get to use sneak attack on consecutive rolls?
I ruled "Yes" in my home game over the weekend because readying allows you to hold your action until before your next turn, but when the rogue went nuclear I had second thoughts.
Any thoughts about this?
They readied attack took place on somebody else's turn. The non readied attack took place on the rogue's turn. Therefore, since the two attacks took place on separate turns, sneak attack is allowed.
DMing:
Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
Playing:
None sadly.
Optimization Guides:
Literally Too Angry to Die - A Guide to Optimizing a Barbarian
Readied actions count as reactions, reaction dont happen as a part of your turn, this a the great workaround feature. good gut instinct too on your part. and yeah, rogues hit hard, but they get hit hard too so its a great give/take.
Pictographic:
PC Turn( Action[attack+sneakattack], Bonus Action, Movement) End.
Off turn (Reaction[opportunityattack+sneakattack]) End.
Twice per Round, but once per Turn
Barring any other limitations, the only time a reaction attack couldn't benefit from Sneak Attack is if it was triggerred on the same turn another Sneak Attack was used.
If their readied action occurred in the following round (before their initiative number) then they missed out on attacking during the round in which they performed the Ready Action. So they only really benefit if they are out of range of the target on the earlier round.
*Or for some reason can't meet the conditions for sneak attack on their own turn.
I think WotC is considering changing sneak attack in 1D&D to not be able to do this. Hopefully the survey convinced them not to. Rogues can barely keep up with casters and paladins as is.
As mentioned the answer is yes. A rogue can use their reaction on a turn that isn't theirs to make a readied attack and if they qualify for sneak attack then they benefit from it.
This would allow a rogue to take the Ready action to make an attack in the first round, perhaps saying "I will attack when my ally is next to the target so that I get sneak attack", the rogue would get to make this attack on his ally's turn. If the rogue's turn came next, they can also resolve their next attack on their own turn with the benefit of sneak attack if it hits.
One thing to keep in mind, there are very few ways in which a rogue can do this every turn other than haste. When Hasted, a rogue can make one attack with the attack action from haste and then use their regular Action to Ready another attack to take place on another player's turn in response to a trigger. This way they can get sneak attack on both their turn and on another player's turn.
Hmmmm.... that's interesting. In this way the Rogue gets two sneak attacks in one round of combat. I suppose if they multi-classed into fighter and used an Action Surge they could pull the same kind of shenanigans: attack w/sneak attack, Action Surge to Ready an action and attack on ally's turn (w/sneak attack again). Do you think that this throws the Rogue's damage per round capabilities off balance a bit?
Not really, since you don't get an Action Surge every round.
Reactions can definitely be used by a creature on its turn. A rogue that decides to chance a couple of opportunity attacks that gets hit can use their uncanny dodge to reduce damage on one hit. Similarly casters can cast shield in their turn if they’re hit. Casters may also attempt to counterspell an enemy counterspell on their turn.
Honestly, in my experience Rogues keep up just fine. Granted, that was with DMs who do generally prefer to work at least two or three encounters into a typical fighting day. Casters and paladins start to burn out, while Sneak Attack is always there. Besides, by 5th level rogue is already getting a better average from Sneak Attack than a paladin is from Smites against normal foes or a caster is from their cantrips. The others might pull ahead on short-term burst, but rogues are very good for the long haul.
I don’t think it’s off balance damage-wise. It’s not a guarantee. Instead of 2 levels of fighter you could take the Sentinel feat so if you are in combat with an ally next to you and a creature attacks them, and they don’t have Sentinel as well, you can use your reaction to make an attack w/ sneak attack. But that’s more situational and requires the creature to attack your ally instead of you.
EZD6 by DM Scotty
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/397599/EZD6-Core-Rulebook?