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Mastering the Shadows: How Often Can You Really Sneak Attack?

So, you’re playing a Rogue, the master of shadows and precise strikes, and you’re wondering how often you can unleash that devastating Sneak Attack? The short answer is: once per turn. But like the shadows themselves, the rules surrounding Sneak Attack are nuanced and filled with potential for clever application. Let’s delve into the depths and uncover everything you need to know to maximize your Sneak Attack potential.

The Core Rule: Once Per Turn

The foundation of Sneak Attack lies in its frequency: you can apply the extra damage from Sneak Attack only once per turn. This isn’t limited to your turn in the initiative order, but rather any turn in the combat round. This distinction is crucial and opens up exciting possibilities.

The rule is surprisingly generous, and it’s not as limiting as it sounds. You aren’t limited to Sneak Attack only on your turn in combat; you can use it on any turn, including those of your allies or enemies, if the opportunity arises. The crucial part is that it can only happen once on any given turn, no matter how many attacks you make.

Understanding the Triggers: Advantage and Allies

To trigger Sneak Attack, you must meet specific criteria. These conditions ensure that your extra damage represents a calculated strike, exploiting a vulnerability in your opponent’s defenses. There are generally two main ways to qualify for Sneak Attack:

Advantage on the Attack Roll: If you have advantage on your attack roll against the target, you’re set. Advantage can come from various sources, such as hiding, flanking (in some games), or spells like faerie fire.
An Ally Nearby: Even without advantage, you can still trigger Sneak Attack 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. This represents capitalizing on a distracted foe.

Maximizing Sneak Attack Opportunities

While you can only use Sneak Attack once per turn, you can manipulate the battlefield to increase your chances of triggering it. Here’s how:

Coordinate with Allies: Positioning yourself and your allies strategically can reliably grant you Sneak Attack through the “ally nearby” condition.
Utilize Hiding: A classic Rogue tactic. Use your bonus action to Hide and gain advantage on your next attack, setting up Sneak Attack.
Exploit Enemy Weaknesses: Look for situations where enemies are blinded, restrained, or otherwise vulnerable, granting you advantage.

Common Misconceptions About Sneak Attack

Many players, especially those new to playing Rogues, misunderstand the rules surrounding Sneak Attack. Clearing up these misconceptions is key to playing your Rogue effectively.

Sneak Attack requires you to be hidden: Being hidden can grant advantage, allowing you to trigger Sneak Attack. However, it’s not the only way.
Sneak Attack only works with daggers: The rule only specifies that the attack must be made with a finesse or ranged weapon. Swords, rapiers, shortbows, and even whips can all be used to deliver Sneak Attack damage.
You can get Sneak Attack with unarmed strikes: The rules state that Sneak Attack can only work with weapons that have the finesse or ranged property. Unarmed strikes are not weapons and therefore cannot proc sneak attack damage.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Sneak Attack

Here are some frequently asked questions about Sneak Attack, designed to cover many specific scenarios and clear up lingering doubts.

Can I use Sneak Attack twice in the same round?

No, you can only use Sneak Attack once per turn, regardless of how many turns occur within a single round. So, even if you somehow get to attack multiple times during another creature’s turn, you still only get one Sneak Attack per turn.

Does Sneak Attack require Advantage?

Not always. You can trigger Sneak Attack without advantage if another enemy of your target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

If I have both Advantage and Disadvantage, can I Sneak Attack?

No. Disadvantage cancels out advantage. If you have both, you roll normally (without advantage) and thus don’t meet the advantage condition for Sneak Attack.

Can I choose which attack gets Sneak Attack damage?

Yes, technically you can. If you have multiple attacks and multiple hits, you can choose which hit delivers the Sneak Attack damage, particularly useful for situations involving critical hits or damage resistances.

Does Sneak Attack damage get doubled on a critical hit?

Yes! When you score a critical hit, you roll all damage dice twice, including the dice from your Sneak Attack feature.

Can I use Sneak Attack with Two-Weapon Fighting?

Yes. If you miss your first attack, you can use your bonus action for Two-Weapon Fighting and attempt to hit again, potentially triggering Sneak Attack if the conditions are met. However, you still can only get Sneak Attack once on the same turn.

Does Sneak Attack work with ranged weapons?

Yes. Sneak Attack explicitly states that it can be used with finesse or ranged weapons.

If I have Advantage, do I still need an ally nearby to use Sneak Attack?

No. If you have advantage on the attack roll, you can use Sneak Attack even if there are no allies near the target.

Can I use Sneak Attack on an Opportunity Attack?

Yes! If you meet the conditions for Sneak Attack during an Opportunity Attack (e.g., you have advantage or an ally is nearby), you can apply the extra damage.

Does Sneak Attack damage count as a specific damage type?

Unless otherwise stated, Sneak Attack damage is considered the same type as the weapon’s damage. So, if you’re using a dagger, the Sneak Attack damage is piercing. This is important for overcoming resistances and immunities.

Does Sneak Attack ignore damage resistance?

No. If a creature has resistance to piercing damage (or the damage type of your weapon), your Sneak Attack damage is also halved.

Can I get Sneak Attack if the target is incapacitated?

You would need advantage to get sneak attack on an incapacitated target. Even with advantage, if you have disadvantage for any reason (like attacking from long range), you cannot proc sneak attack.

Can I use Sneak Attack on a charge attack?

Potentially. You can only get Sneak Attack on a Charge if your target is a valid Sneak Attack target (either you have advantage on the attack roll, or if you have another enemy within 5ft of the target, that is not incapacitated).

Can I multi-class into fighter for action surge to get another sneak attack?

While Action Surge is fantastic, it doesn’t grant you another Sneak Attack opportunity on your turn. You are still limited to once per turn.

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