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Pathfinder multiclassing/prestige classes and sneak attack dice.

Started by Ratman_tf, December 29, 2016, 05:08:09 PM

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Ratman_tf

December 29, 2016, 05:08:09 PM
So, I played an Assassin in my brother's Pathfinder campaign last week.  I'm not 100% up on Pathfinder tricks, but this popped out at me.

My character is a 5th level Rogue, 3rd level Assassin. It occured to me that I could, by the rules, alternate Rogue and Assassin levels to get +1d Sneak Attack dice every level.

I switched to the Assassin prestige class at 6th level, making my odd level of assassin (1st) my even level of Rogue, if I had stayed a Rogue.

I'm not going to do it, because I'm fine with all the Sneak Attack dice I'm getting already, but am I reading the multiclass/prestige class rules right?
The notion of an exclusionary and hostile RPG community is a fever dream of zealots who view all social dynamics through a narrow keyhole of structural oppression.
-Haffrung

crkrueger

#1
December 29, 2016, 05:22:51 PM Last Edit: December 29, 2016, 05:32:41 PM by CRKrueger
Quote from: Ratman_tf;937762So, I played an Assassin in my brother's Pathfinder campaign last week.  I'm not 100% up on Pathfinder tricks, but this popped out at me.

My character is a 5th level Rogue, 3rd level Assassin. It occured to me that I could, by the rules, alternate Rogue and Assassin levels to get +1d Sneak Attack dice every level.

I switched to the Assassin prestige class at 6th level, making my odd level of assassin (1st) my even level of Rogue, if I had stayed a Rogue.

I'm not going to do it, because I'm fine with all the Sneak Attack dice I'm getting already, but am I reading the multiclass/prestige class rules right?
No.  Here's how I think the rules work...

5th Character Level - 5th Rogue is Sneak Attack +3d6
6th Character Level - 1st Assassin is Sneak Attack +1d6, total of +4d6 looking good.

Here is where you go wrong:
7th Character Level - 6th Rogue doesn't get Sneak Attack
8th Character Level - 2nd Assassin doesn't get Sneak Attack
9th Character Level - 7th Rogue gets Sneak Attack so 5d6 total
10th Character Level - 3rd Assassin gets Sneak Attack so 6d6 total

So Basically you're one level ahead of a pure Rogue who needs 11th for 6d6 SA.

You're doubling up on the Sneak Attack Levels.
You're also doubling up on the Non-Sneak Attack Levels.
You got one level boost by taking 1st Assassin right after a Rogue Sneak Attack Level, but it evens out.

The progression tables are for Class Level in that class only, not total Character Level.
Even the the "cutting edge" storygamers for all their talk of narrative, plot, and drama are fucking obsessed with the god damned rules they use. - Estar

Yes, Sean Connery\'s thumb does indeed do megadamage. - Spinachcat

Isuldur is a badass because he stopped Sauron with a broken sword, but Iluvatar is the badass because he stopped Sauron with a hobbit. -Malleus Arianorum

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Ratman_tf

#2
December 29, 2016, 05:42:41 PM
Quote from: CRKrueger;937764No.  Here's how I think the rules work...

5th Character Level - 5th Rogue is Sneak Attack +3d6
6th Character Level - 1st Assassin is Sneak Attack +1d6, total of +4d6 looking good.

Here is where you go wrong:
7th Character Level - 6th Rogue doesn't get Sneak Attack

Aha! Yes, I believe you are correct. Switching classes would put me back at 6th level Rogue.
The notion of an exclusionary and hostile RPG community is a fever dream of zealots who view all social dynamics through a narrow keyhole of structural oppression.
-Haffrung

Diffan

#3
December 30, 2016, 12:26:36 AM
It's probably best to stick with the Assassin for the fun slells they get, not to mention it boosts your Death Attack DC.
4E = Great taste, less filling
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