Do Rogues Get Sneak Attack Every Turn? A Deep Dive into D&D 5e’s Sneakiest Mechanic
The short answer is yes, rogues can potentially get Sneak Attack every turn, but it’s crucial to understand the nuances of the rule to utilize it effectively. It’s not as simple as landing an attack; certain conditions must be met. The key phrase here is “once per turn,” and it has significant implications. While the Sneak Attack feature is a cornerstone of the rogue class, it’s important to understand the specific rules to avoid any misunderstanding. Let’s break it down in detail.
Understanding the “Once Per Turn” Rule
The Sneak Attack feature in D&D 5e explicitly states, “Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with an attack…” This wording is critical. It doesn’t limit you to your turn, but rather to any turn within the game’s combat rounds. This means a rogue can trigger their Sneak Attack damage on their turn, and also potentially trigger it on another creature’s turn, such as with an opportunity attack made with their reaction.
Not Limited to Your Turn
The key concept to grasp here is that the “once per turn” limitation does not confine Sneak Attack to only the rogue’s direct action turn in the initiative order. A rogue can use Sneak Attack once on their own turn, but the rule doesn’t prevent them from using it again if a situation arises during another character’s turn. For instance, if an enemy triggers an opportunity attack by moving away from a rogue, the rogue can use their reaction to make an attack, and if the conditions for Sneak Attack are met, they can apply that extra damage.
Conditions for Sneak Attack
It’s not enough for an attack to be made for Sneak Attack to apply; specific prerequisites must be fulfilled:
- Advantage on the Attack Roll: The rogue must have advantage on the attack roll to trigger Sneak Attack. This advantage can come from several sources, including:
- Hiding and attacking an unaware enemy.
- Being within 5 feet of an enemy who is threatened by an ally.
- Specific class features like a Swashbuckler’s Fancy Footwork.
- Finesse or Ranged Weapon: The attack must be made with a finesse weapon (like a dagger, shortsword, or rapier) or a ranged weapon (like a short bow or crossbow). A rogue cannot apply Sneak Attack with a greatsword or a mace.
- One Hit Per Turn: Regardless of how many times a rogue hits, they can only apply Sneak Attack damage once in their turn. They can not apply sneak attack on multiple hits in their own turn, though they could on other characters’ turns if conditions are met.
How Sneak Attack Scales
The additional damage from Sneak Attack increases as the rogue levels up. At 1st level, it’s an extra 1d6, and by 20th level, it’s an impressive 10d6. This consistent damage boost is what makes the rogue a potent combatant, despite their relatively low number of attacks.
Why is Sneak Attack So Crucial for Rogues?
Rogues in D&D 5e are designed to be damage dealers with a strategic approach. They often lack the raw physical power of fighters or barbarians, but make up for it with superior positioning and exploiting weaknesses to deliver massive amounts of damage. Sneak Attack is the centerpiece of that combat strategy. Without it, their combat potential is significantly diminished.
The Importance of Positioning
Rogues are masters of positioning. They take the time to get into the right location and set themselves up for success. The combination of Cunning Action allowing rogues to hide as a bonus action, coupled with the advantage it provides, allows for consistent application of sneak attack damage each round, which is core to their damage output.
Leveraging Cunning Action
A key component to maximizing Sneak Attack is the rogue’s Cunning Action ability. It allows them to use a bonus action each turn to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. Using Hide frequently to gain advantage for Sneak Attack is a common tactic for rogues.
The Value of an Offhand Weapon
While rogues don’t get a second attack, they can wield a second weapon, and a hit with this second weapon gives another chance for Sneak Attack, at the expense of their bonus action. A fast offhand weapon will give rogues the best chances for additional damage, if the main-hand misses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rogue Sneak Attacks
To further clarify how Sneak Attack works and address common queries, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. How many attacks do rogues get per turn?
Rogues typically only get one attack per action, unlike some martial classes. However, they can make an offhand attack as a bonus action if dual-wielding.
2. When do rogues get sneak attack?
Rogues get Sneak Attack at 1st level. It’s one of the core features of the class.
3. Can rogues hide every turn?
Yes, rogues can attempt to hide every turn using their bonus action from Cunning Action if they have something to hide behind or the line of sight with the enemy is broken.
4. Do Swashbuckler rogues always have Sneak Attack?
Swashbuckler rogues gain the Fancy Footwork feature which makes landing sneak attack easier. However, they still need to meet the requirements and can’t apply it if they have disadvantage or are incapacitated.
5. Is sneak attack only once per turn?
Yes, Sneak Attack is limited to once per turn. This applies to any turn in the combat round, not just the rogue’s turn.
6. Can a rogue sneak attack twice on one turn?
No. A rogue can only apply Sneak Attack once on any turn.
7. Why are rogues considered unpopular?
Rogues can be challenging to play due to needing more strategy and planning around positioning and opportunities compared to other classes. Some players might find the class to have a specific niche that doesn’t appeal to them.
8. Can a rogue use cunning action every turn?
Yes, rogues can use Cunning Action to take a bonus action (Dash, Disengage, or Hide) every turn.
9. Do rogues get advantage on stealth?
Not automatically, but they can use Cunning Action to Hide, allowing for a Stealth check, which leads to the potential of gaining advantage on their next attack.
10. Can a rogue hide then sneak attack?
Yes. If a rogue successfully hides, they can gain advantage on their next attack, triggering Sneak Attack.
11. Can a rogue use sneak attack twice?
Yes, but not twice on the same turn. The rogue can use it on their turn and another turn if the conditions are met.
12. Do rogues get sneak attack on bonus action?
Yes, if a rogue makes an attack during a bonus action, such as with an off-hand attack, they can apply Sneak Attack if the conditions for the attack are met.
13. How many sneak attacks per turn?
One. Rogues can use sneak attack on any turn once as long as conditions for sneak attack are met.
14. Do rogues get dual wielding?
Anyone can dual wield, using a bonus action for the offhand attack, but rogues do not get fighting styles that benefit from dual wielding.
15. Can you sneak attack without finesse?
No. A rogue must use a finesse or ranged weapon to trigger Sneak Attack.
Conclusion
Understanding the Sneak Attack mechanic is crucial for playing a rogue effectively in D&D 5e. It’s not just about doing damage, but about smart planning, good positioning, and maximizing opportunities to exploit enemy weaknesses. So, while a rogue can indeed get Sneak Attack every turn with careful consideration of all variables, they must actively set themselves up to do so using clever tactics and understanding all the conditions. The core of the rogue’s identity is woven into their ability to consistently execute the use of their Sneak Attack feature in any combat scenario.