Sneak Attack Classes

[Cogidubnus]

I've built a Diablo's Assassin 15. Probably going to advance him to level 17, but after, what's my best shot for getting Sneak Attack die? Well, Rogue's obvious, but any other suggestions that might provide new and useful abilities?

Ed: Btw, source books would also be useful (don't worry, I know swordsage).

[Boci]

Swordsage dip. Take assassin's stance for 2d6 sneak attack and gain some other useful abilities.

[Thrice Dead Cat]

Buy a high-CL wand of Hunter's Eye off of an Unseen Seer.

[TroubleBrewing]

The D20 SRD has information on what are called "generic classes", which, at first glance, look to be NPC classes for PC's. That is to say, bad. However, the Generic Expert gets class features as a fighter gets feats, and the list of class features to choose from includes sneak attack damage. It's worth a look.

[Cogidubnus]

The D20 SRD has information on what are called "generic classes", which, at first glance, look to be NPC classes for PC's. That is to say, bad. However, the Generic Expert gets class features as a fighter gets feats, and the list of class features to choose from includes sneak attack damage. It's worth a look.

The expert just gets feats. No class features.

[Touchy]

The expert just gets feats. No class features.

Actually you can trade those feats for class features.

[Choco]

1 level each of Swordsage, Rogue, and Ninja (Complete Adventurer). That'l give you 4d6 total in Assassin's Stance.

[Yuki Akuma]

The expert just gets feats. No class features.

Generic class feats include things that would be class features in any other system. You can spend a feat on Evasion, for instance.

[Ozymandias9]

The expert just gets feats. No class features.

Those feats can explicitly be used for any of a specific set of class features. It's the basis of the alternate system. The Generic Warrior, however, gets the same option and gets the feats faster. The real kicker is that they both get one at level 1 and level 2. This, however, is a variant system that doesn't mesh well with the standard sneak attack progression. The base sneak attack "Feat" for this system is 2d6, and the advanced version +4d6.

[lsfreak]

Swordsage 1 (or 2, depending on your DM's interpretation of the stances section, which specifically mentions a 1st-level stance) is by far the best, as it also qualifies you for Shadow Blade. From there, you could go with a bunch of dips that grab you more sneak attack (i.e. Assassin17/SS1/rogue1/PrCassassin1), but only if you're using fraction BAB.

Don't forget to tack on Craven if you can.

The expert just gets feats. No class features.

You can buy class features with feats. I.e. 2d6 of sneak attack requires Hide4, MoveSilently4. However, generic classes aren't meant to be used in the same campaign as other classes.

[Dvandemon]

The Factotum class grants Sneak Attack and various class abilities (from other classes!). Also, there is a feat that (at DM's discretion) allows your SnAtk levels to stack with Turning levels

[PId6]

Sneak Attack Thug is a good way to increase Sneak Attack, BAB, Fort saves, and still have decent skills. Combine with a level of Swordsage and a level of rogue for 4d6 Sneak Attack. Take Craven at 18th level for +character level to Sneak Attack damage as well.

Assassin 17/Swordsage 1/SA Thug Fighter 1/Rogue 1

However, overall you're probably better off advancing manifesting. A dip for swordsage and Craven at 18th is fine, but lose too many manifester levels and you're going to have too few PP for your level. But, if you don't mind the loss of PP, you can take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML up regardless of multiclassing.

[Boci]

Sneak Attack Thug is a good way to increase Sneak Attack, BAB, Fort saves, and still have decent skills. Combine with a level of Swordsage and a level of rogue for 4d6 Sneak Attack. Take Craven at 18th level for +character level to Sneak Attack damage as well.

Assassin 17/Swordsage 1/SA Thug Fighter 1/Rogue 1

However, overall you're probably better off advancing manifesting. A dip for swordsage and Craven at 18th is fine, but lose too many manifester levels and you're going to have too few PP for your level. But, if you don't mind the loss of PP, you can take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML up regardless of multiclassing.

Rogukan ninja also works for full BAB + SA, and is available for free online, but it is setting specific.

Edit: Here http://l5r.alderac.com/archive/rpg/rokugan_ninja.pdf

[lsfreak]

However, overall you're probably better off advancing manifesting. A dip for swordsage and Craven at 18th is fine, but lose too many manifester levels and you're going to have too few PP for your level. But, if you don't mind the loss of PP, you can take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML up regardless of multiclassing.

Didn't actually look to see the Diablo Assassin is psychic. If that's the case, grab a level of Psychic Assassin in there as well. If your DM is open to taking arcane classes and making them psionic, Unseen Seer + a psioniic version of Hunter's Eye would be excellent.

[Cogidubnus]

Sneak Attack Thug is a good way to increase Sneak Attack, BAB, Fort saves, and still have decent skills. Combine with a level of Swordsage and a level of rogue for 4d6 Sneak Attack. Take Craven at 18th level for +character level to Sneak Attack damage as well.

Assassin 17/Swordsage 1/SA Thug Fighter 1/Rogue 1

However, overall you're probably better off advancing manifesting. A dip for swordsage and Craven at 18th is fine, but lose too many manifester levels and you're going to have too few PP for your level. But, if you don't mind the loss of PP, you can take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML up regardless of multiclassing.

Well, 2d6 + lvl SA from Assassin's Stance + Craven is a lot better than none at all. A LOT of my attacks will be against flat-footed or flanked enemies. After all, I'm a dexterity dependent melee fighter. But once I've got 17 levels in assassin, I'm only losing about 40 PP, and I'm not that dependent on them. We'll see how many I use up if I get to play this character.

Ed: Clarified my meaning. Also, even 1d6 extra makes quite a big difference if you're making 6 attacks against a flat-footed enemy.

[mrcarter11]

Um, Assassin's stance??

[Boci]

Um, Assassin's stance??

Are you suggesting it or asking what it is? If its the latter, its an ability of the swordsage from Tome of Battle that grants +2d6 sneak attack.

[Gnaeus]

If LA buyoff is allowed, Marrulurk (Sandstorm) is always worth considering.

[lsfreak]

If LA buyoff is allowed, Marrulurk (Sandstorm) is always worth considering.

The 3 racial hit dice make that a bit less appealing.

[Cogidubnus]

If LA buyoff is allowed, Marrulurk (Sandstorm) is always worth considering.

I'm using Athasian Human from Dark Sun. 3 bonus powers, 18 bonus PP, and +2 to any two abilities of your choice, all normal human bonuses, all for the +1 LA we've been given for free? Yes please XD.

[mrcarter11]

I thought it was 3rd level.. Meaning he would have to dip 5 levels.. Which really isn't much of a dip.

[Cogidubnus]

I thought it was 3rd level.. Meaning he would have to dip 5 levels.. Which really isn't much of a dip.

It is, but your manifester level (and the stances/maneuvers you learn) is equal to ToB classes + 1/2 of all other classes. So I can get like, level 5 maneuvers.

[Boci]

I thought it was 3rd level.. Meaning he would have to dip 5 levels.. Which really isn't much of a dip.

Non-adept levels still boost you initaitor level by 0.5, so by level nine, if you have 1 adept level you will have an initator level of 5. Due to the wording of stances, you may need another a second level of swordsage, but there is both RAW and RAI to support gaining assassin's stance from a single level dip.

[mrcarter11]

Ah, sorry forgot about the whole 1/2 level. Was thinking it only improved if using classes from ToB.

[gorfnab]

From Lists of Stuff

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Sneak Attack

Sort of alphabetical, campaign settings books at the bottom of the post


Updated: 7 October 2007


PHB
Rogue 1, 3, 5, 7.../20


DMG
Arcane Trickster: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10/10 (full caster advancement)
Assassin: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9/10 (Death Attack at level 1, gain minor arcane casting)
Blackguard: 4, 7, 10/10 (gain divine casting at level 1, full BAB)


Psionic
Pionic Rogue: 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19/20
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b


Book of Exalted Deeds
Slayer of Domiel: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9/10 (Death Touch at level 1, gain divine casting at level 1)
Sacred Strike, feat, against evil creatures roll d8 for damage instead of d6


Book of Vile Darkness
Cancer Mage: 1, 5, 9/10
Disciple of Baalzebub: 2, 5, 8/10



Complete Warrior (all full BAB)
Dark Hunter: 3/5 (Death Attack at level 5)
Darkwood Stalker: 3, 6, 9/10 (Death Attack at level 10)
Invisible Blade: 1, 3, 5/5 ("dagger" only, faint as free action 1/round)
Justiciar: 1, 4, 7, 10/10 (nonlethal strike)
Ronin: 1, 4, 7, 10/10


Complete Divine
Black Flame Zealot: 3, 6, 9/10 (Death Attack at 1, advances divine half)
Temple Raider of Olidammara: 2, 5, 8/10 (gain divine spells at level 1)


Complete Arcane



Complete Adventurer
Ninja: 1, 3, 5, 7.../20 (Sudden Strike)
Spellthief: 1, 5, 9, 13, 17/20 (gains arcane casting at level 4)
Daggerspell Mage: 3, 6, 9/10 (advances arcane 9/10)
Daggerspell Shaper: 3, 6, 9/10 (advances divine 9/10)
Dread Pirate (dishonourable): 3, 7/10 (full BAB)
Ghost-Faced Killer: 2, 5, 8/10 (Sudden Strike, full BAB)
Nightsong Enforcer: 1, 4, 7, 10/10 (full BAB)
Nightsong Infiltrator: 4, 8/10 (Teamwork Sneak Attack)
Shadowbane Inquisitor: 4, 7, 10/10 (full BAB)
Shadowbane Stalker: 3, 6, 9/10 (advances divine 8/10)
Shadowmind: 2, 5, 8/10 (advances manifesting class 7/10)
Spymaster: 3, 6/7
Streetfighter: 3/5


Complete Psionic
Lurk: 2, 7, 12, 17/20 (psionic sneak attack, only functions while psionically focused)
Ebon Saint: 3/5 (sneak attack or psionic sneak attack)


Complete Mage
Unseen Seer 1, 4, 7, 10/10, ecl 6 (either sneak attack, sudden strike, or skirmish; full arcane advancement)



Complete Scoundrel
Avenging Executioner: 1, 3, 5/5 (sudden strike, gain abilities to make opponent flatfooted)
Cloaked Dancer: 2, 4/5 (suprise strike, 3/5 arcane advancement)
Mountebank 2, 5, 8/10, ecl 7, Complete Scoundrel
Psibond 3, 6, 9/10, ecl 8, Complete Scoundrel
Master of Masks 1, 4, 7, 10/10, ecl 6, only while wearing the Assassin Mask
spellwarp sniper 2, 4/5, ecl 8, (sudden raystrike, see text)


Complete Champion
Mythic Examplar (Dardallion): 3, 5, 7, 9/10 (early entry ecl 5, advances casting 4/10)


Deities and Demigods
Justiciar of Taiia: 1, 4, 7, 10/10, ecl 6 (gain minor divine spellcasting at level 1)


Draconomicon
Dragonstalker: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10/10 (gains 2d6 sneak attack each time, only effective against dragons, full BAB)


Dragon Magic:
Hand of the Winged Masters: 2, 5, 8/10, ecl ?? (sneak attack or sudden strike or skirmish)
Dragon Descendant 3 (subtle ancestor), ecl 8: gain 2d6, see text (also stacks for certain monk abilities)


Fiendish Codex II - Tyrants of the Nine Hells:
Hellbreaker 3, 6, 9/10 (can also steal spell-like or supernatural abilities)


Cityscape
Ebonmar Infiltrator: 2, 5, 8/10, ecl 7 (gain minor Int based arcane casting)


Dungeonscape


Frostburn


Heroes of Battle
Dread Commando: 1, 3, 5/5 (Sudden Strike, full BAB)


Libris Mortis


Lords of Madness


Magic of Incarnum
Umbral Disciple: 2, 5, 8/10


Miniatures Handbook
Skullclan Hunter: 3, 6, 9/10 (can "sneak attack" undead at level 2, read "Divine Strike" wording carefully, not actually sneak attack... I think)
Tactical Soldier: read "Flanker" ability


Planar Handbook
Fatemaker: 3, 6, 9/10 (gains minor Cha based arcane casting)


Races of Destiny
Chameleon: see text
Menacing Brute: 3/5 (full BAB)
Scar Enforcer: 3,6,9/10 (advance half caster)


Races of the Dragon
Dragon Devotee 2, 4/5, ecl 7, (either sneak attack, sudden strike, or skirmish; advances sorcerer casting 2/5)


Races of Stone
Blade Bravo: 4, 8/10 (melee only, full BAB)
Stonedeath Assassin: 2, 4/5 (Stonedeath Strike at level 5)


Races of the Wild
Whisperknife: 2, 5, 8/10 (full BAB)


Sandstorm
Scorpion Heritor: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10/10
race: Marrulurk, small Monstrous Humanoid, 3 HD, +1 LA (ECL 4), 2d6 sneak attack


Stormwrack
Scarlet Corsair 2, 6, 10/10 (full BAB, faint as free action once per 2d4 or 1d4 rounds)


Tome of Battle:
Assassin's Stance, Shadow Hand Stance - gain 2d6 sneak attack


Tome of Magic:
Andromalius vestige - see text
Malphas vestige - see text (sudden strike)
Shadowblade 2, 4, 6, 8, 10/10 (sudden strike, at level 3 gain ability to deny opponent their dex bonus)


Expedition to Castle Ravenloft
Rogue 3: "Penetrating Strike" - exchange trapsense for the ability to do half you sneak attack damage against undead


Eberron Campaign Setting


Eberron: Five Nations
Dark Lantern: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10/10


Magic of Eberron
Vigilant Sentinal of Aerenal: 2, 4/5


Eberron: Secrets of Xen'drik
Scorpion Wraith: 1, 3, 5/5 (sudden strike, full BAB)


Eberron: Secrets of Sarlona
Fist of Dal Quor: 1, 3, 5/5 (sudden strike, also gain stunning attacks)


Eberron: Faiths of Eberron
Thief of Life: 2, 6, 10/10



Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting (3.0)
The Divine Seeker: 2, 4/5
Guild Thief: 1, 3, 5/5


FR: Champions of Ruin
Justice of Weald and Woe: 3, 7/10 (death attack at level 10, gain minor diving casting)
Night Mask Deathbringer: 4, 8/10
Shade Hunter: 4, 8/10 (gain minor arcane casting)


FR: Unapproachable East
Thayan Slaver: 4, 7, 10/10


FR: Lords of Darkness
Darkmask: 3/5


FR: Lost Empires of Faerun
Cultists of the Shattered Peak: 2, 4/5 (Death Attack at level 5, gain minor arcane casting)
Magelord: 1, 5, 9/10 (full arcane advancement)


FR: Races of Faerun
Warsling Sniper: 1, 3, 5/6, ecl 6, warsling only


FR: Player's Guide to Faerun
Shadow Thief of Amn: 1, 3, 5/5
Zhentarim Spy: 2, 4/5


FR: Serpent Kingdoms
Fang of Sseth: 1, 4, 7, 10/10


FR: Shining South
Crinti Shadow Marauder: 2, 4/5 (Sudden Strike, gains a "Shadow Pounce" at level 5)


FR: Silver Marches
Orc Scout: 3/5
Peerless Archer: 1, 4, 7, 10/10 (ranged only)


FR: Underdark
Imaskari Vengeance Taker: 3, 5, 7, 9/10 (half arcane advancement)


FR: Drow of the Underdark
Dread Fang of Lloth: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9/10 (sudden strike, full BAB)
Eye of Lloth: 2, 5, 8/10 (half caster)