[3.PF] Improved Precise Shot + Sneak Atttack

[Fenryr]

Yo, hello!

In PF, Improved Precise Shot states I ignore the AC and the miss chance of cover and concealment (only partial). But does it allows me to apply precision damage to those targets with partial cover/concealment?

By RAW, I would say no. Comments?

[Lateral]

No, it doesn't. It doesn't say anything to that effect in the feat's rules.

Also, there's a thread for these kind of questions.

[Fenryr]

Right, I forgot.

I apologize. Can a mod help me by closing or deleting this thread?

Thanks for the answer.

[Spiryt]

Ranged sneak attacks aren't really very loved by the rules, compared to melee ones, so that would seem like reasonable houserule to me.

[Particle_Man]

I'd allow precision damage if the only reason for not getting precision damage before applying the feat was an effect (say partial concealment) that the feat in particular is designed to overcome.

[Cieyrin]

You want Shadow Strike for that, which you can get far earlier than Improved Precise Shot.

[Ravens_cry]

Originally Posted by Cieyrin

You want Shadow Strike for that, which you can get far earlier than Improved Precise Shot.

Isn't there a feat or trait that allows you to treat total concealment like concealment?

[Chained Birds]

Originally Posted by Ravens_cry

Isn't there a feat or trait that allows you to treat total concealment like concealment?

No, it just says anything granting less than Total Concealment doesn't negate your precision damage. So an almost must have for any Sneak Attack build.

I say almost because I believe a +1 Seeking weapon does the same. So either a feat or a 4300gp weapon.

[Ravens_cry]

Originally Posted by Chained Birds

No, it just says anything granting less than Total Concealment doesn't negate your precision damage. So an almost must have for any Sneak Attack build.

I say almost because I believe a +1 Seeking weapon does the same. So either a feat or a 4300gp weapon.

I know this does not do that. I think Greater Blind-Fight is what I am thinking of. Combined they (might?) mean you can sneak attack invisible creatures.

[ericgrau]

The feat wording still only says that it ignores the miss chance from concealment. The foe still has concealment, even at 0% miss chance.

[Ravens_cry]

Originally Posted by ericgrau

The feat wording still only says that it ignores the miss chance from concealment. The foe still has concealment, even at 0% miss chance.

Dang, you be right. By a RAW wording, that indeed be the case.

[Fenryr]

Thanks for the answers. My DM uses RAW in this case because it's very clear what the feat allows.

Cheers!

[Giorin]

Hi folks!
I know the issue has been discussed quite some time ago. But as my rogue/wizard/spellwarp sniper character is about to get Improved Precise Shot I did some research and came up with this:

In the spell description of the Assassin 1 spell Critical Strike, published 2006 in Complete Mage (actually an update to the 2005 version in the Spell Compendium) it says:

CRITICAL STRIKE

Divination
Level: Assassin 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: One attack

As you complete this spell, you sense the blood
rushing through your target's veins

This spell guides your next attack to
your foe's vital spots. Your next single
attack roll (if it is made before the end
of the next round) ignores any miss
chance due to concealment. (In the
case of a foe that has total concealment,
you must still attack the correct
square.) This even allows you to deliver
a sneak attack against a foe that has
concealment.

Complete Mage, p. 100

The last sentence is crucial: "This [i.e. ignoring any miss chance due to concealment] even allows you to deliver a sneak attack against a foe that has concealment." It does not say "This spell even allows you...". Instead it refers to the fact that the miss chance can be ignored.

Admittedly this is not a premium source for core rules (spell description in an optional rule book), but at least it is official material. So I'd say: Sneak attack on concealed opponents with Improved Precise Shot is RAW.