Can you choose which attack gets sneak attack?

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The answer to this question is yes, for the sake of Critical and resistances and such, you have to declare which attack gets the sneak attack bonus, but you can choose any attack that hits to get the sneak bonus, or you can house rule that it’s always the first one that hits. You can choose any attack that hits to get the sneak attack bonus, allowing for strategic decision-making during combat, taking into account factors like advantage, disadvantage, and the positioning of enemies and allies.

Understanding Sneak Attack

To understand sneak attack, it’s crucial to delve into its specifics, including when it can be used, with what types of attacks, and under what conditions.

FAQs About Sneak Attack

Below are some frequently asked questions about sneak attack that can provide clarification on its usage and application in the game.

1. What are the rules for sneak attack?

• 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.

1. Can you only do sneak attack once per turn?

• Sneak attack can only be used once per turn, but it is not limited to your turn, meaning you can use sneak attack once on your turn, and subsequent attacks on other turns could also include sneak attack damage.

1. Is sneak attack always advantage?

• In laymen’s terms, if you have advantage, you can sneak attack. If you don’t have advantage or disadvantage, you can still sneak attack if another (non-incapacitated) enemy of the target is within 5 feet of it.

1. Can you resist sneak attack damage?

• Sneak attack damage is halved if the target has a resistance to it. Unless noted otherwise, any untyped extra damage is of the same type as the attack’s damage and therefore is subject to resistance/immunity accordingly.

1. Do you get sneak attack on every attack?

• No matter how many attacks a D&D 5e rogue can make, sneak attack can only be used on one in their turn. However, the ‘once per turn’ rule is very specific, and rogues can add sneak attack damage to attacks made on other turns, such as opportunity attacks with their reaction.

1. What are the rules for sneak attack 5e?

• 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.

1. Does sneak attack only apply to the first attack?

• No matter how many attacks a D&D 5e rogue can make, sneak attack can only be used on one in their turn. However, the ‘once per turn’ rule is very specific, and rogues can add sneak attack damage to attacks made on other turns, such as opportunity attacks with their reaction.

1. Why do rogues only get 1 attack?

• Rogues don’t get a second attack. They just have the ability to do more with one attack than other classes do with multiple attacks. Giving them a weapon to use in the offhand gives them an additional chance to land a sneak attack at the cost of their bonus action.

1. Do I get sneak attack if I have advantage and disadvantage?

• Sneak attack = If you have advantage, or the target has a hostile within 5ft of them, and you don’t have disadvantage.

1. Do unarmed strikes count for sneak attack?

   • The sneak attack feature works with a weapon that has the finesse or ranged property. An unarmed strike isn’t a weapon, so it doesn’t qualify.

2. Do you double sneak attack damage?

   • Continuing on with the side discussion on crit rules, the section says, “If the attack involves other damage dice, such as from the rogue’s sneak attack feature, you roll those dice twice as well.”

3. Do you roll for sneak attack?

   • 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.

4. Can you sneak attack on a charge?

   • You can only get sneak attack on charge if your target is a valid sneak attack target (denied Dex or flanked when you finish your charging movement.)

5. Can you sneak attack with spells?

   • In general, any spell that requires an attack roll can be used to sneak attack. The Arcane Trickster ability will let you do it with fireball, which normally requires a save instead of an attack roll.

6. Can a rogue use sneak attack twice?

   • A Rogue can only use a sneak attack once per turn. So, two attacks or more during a given turn (from multiattack, dual wielding, a bonus action, etc.) only allows sneak attack to be used once in that turn.

By addressing these commonly asked questions, players and Dungeon Masters alike can gain a deeper understanding of how sneak attack works and how it can be utilized effectively in the game, enhancing the overall gaming experience.