Ionari
2007-04-10, 12:31 AM
According to RAW, a spell that produces multiple rays (e.g. scorching rays; I also include multiple orbs, unicorn arrows etc. in this, but I'll refer to them generally as "rays" because I'm primarily thinking of those), even if independently targettable and each subject to a different attack roll, only benefits from sneak attack damage once. This, by contrast to, say, arrows fired from a longbow.
I'm considering a houserule to allow the application of sneak attack damage to multiple rays, with certain adjustments, and would appreciate comments on whether that would be a good thing (primarily from a balance perspective).
I think the RAW is stated as such because multiple rays have a couple of advantages over a slew of arrows or melee attacks: the attack bonus for the rays doesn't erode cumulative -5 for each successive ray, and the whole thing takes a standard action (typically), and not a full round.
So, my houserule would permit the mage the option of casting multiple-ray spells as a full-round action, and perhaps (I'm not yet sure about this feature) apply the cumulative -5 penalty to each successive ray beyond the first. If this option is exercised, each ray will benefit from the sneak attack damage. I.e., if the mage is taking the time and trouble to aim properly at the target's vitals (and accepting the to-hit penalties for multiple aimed attacks as though they were melee attacks), he/she gets the benefit of applying sneak attack damage to each attack that hits.
What do you think - does this make sense? Also, what homebrew feats would be appropriate to mitigate the penalties (in terms of extra casting time and to-hit penalty)? I'm thinking something along the lines of the greater manyshot tree of feats.
I'm considering a houserule to allow the application of sneak attack damage to multiple rays, with certain adjustments, and would appreciate comments on whether that would be a good thing (primarily from a balance perspective).
I think the RAW is stated as such because multiple rays have a couple of advantages over a slew of arrows or melee attacks: the attack bonus for the rays doesn't erode cumulative -5 for each successive ray, and the whole thing takes a standard action (typically), and not a full round.
So, my houserule would permit the mage the option of casting multiple-ray spells as a full-round action, and perhaps (I'm not yet sure about this feature) apply the cumulative -5 penalty to each successive ray beyond the first. If this option is exercised, each ray will benefit from the sneak attack damage. I.e., if the mage is taking the time and trouble to aim properly at the target's vitals (and accepting the to-hit penalties for multiple aimed attacks as though they were melee attacks), he/she gets the benefit of applying sneak attack damage to each attack that hits.
What do you think - does this make sense? Also, what homebrew feats would be appropriate to mitigate the penalties (in terms of extra casting time and to-hit penalty)? I'm thinking something along the lines of the greater manyshot tree of feats.