I'm ignorant. A stealth attack question.

[sifuedition]

So, I'v been obsessive about checking for possible stealth attacks before going to my regular attacks with Asterion. But, it also looks like stealth attack is a reaction, that assuming it's enabled and ask is unchecked, should automatically apply. Does it actually work? Will I actually get bonus damage every time it's possible if I just use my regular melee or ranged attack?

[A Wispy Willy]

Sneak attack is not a reaction unless you have a mod that makes it so.
It's a separate action, under Rogue. Which also means if you miss, you lose it for that round.

[Jaggid Edje]

Originally posted by A Wispy Willy:

Sneak attack is not a reaction unless you have a mod that makes it so.
It's a separate action, under Rogue.

It is a reaction in BG3, it can be set up under the reactions tab of your character sheet, just like opportunity attacks.

Having it set to 'ask" in that location means you don't have to use the specific ability and instead the game will ask you any time you hit with melee or ranged attack whether you want to use sneak attack or not. This allows you to use it on your off hand attcks, for example, if your main hand attack misses and you are dual wielding.

Once you use it in a turn, it won't ask again during that turn. But if you get an opportunity attack during an opponents turn, it will again ask if you want to apply sneak attack. Because sneak attack can be used once per turn (rather than only once per round).

[Lur Nen Rue]

Yes, if you checked it, you can trigger it with offhand
Using the sneak attack from your hotbar could miss
Asking sneak attack allow you to decide whether it's an sneak attack or not when hitting with advantage

[Jaggid Edje]

Originally posted by sifuedition:

So, I'v been obsessive about checking for possible stealth attacks before going to my regular attacks with Asterion. But, it also looks like stealth attack is a reaction, that assuming it's enabled and ask is unchecked, should automatically apply. Does it actually work? Will I actually get bonus damage every time it's possible if I just use my regular melee or ranged attack?

If you don't have it set to "ask" I think you only get it when you specifically use the sneak attack abilities themselves. Though I changed it to ask on all the rogues in my game, so I could be mistaken.

It's only possible to get sneak attack bonus once per turn. Each character in initiative takes their turn in order, so a "turn" is all of the actions/bonus actions/movement of a single character (or single enemy). I know if it is set to "ask" it works properly in that regards. No idea how it functions if not set to ask though.

I recommend that you set it to "ask" regardless. There are instances where you would NOT want to apply it on your first hit in your rogue's turn. Such as if the hit is going to kill the enemy without the sneak attack damage. That way you still can use it with an offhand attack against another enemy.
With it set to "ask" you can remove the specific sneak attack abilities from your hotbar entirely. you will never need to use them.

[mouse223]

Originally posted by sifuedition:

So, I'v been obsessive about checking for possible stealth attacks before going to my regular attacks with Asterion. But, it also looks like stealth attack is a reaction, that assuming it's enabled and ask is unchecked, should automatically apply. Does it actually work? Will I actually get bonus damage every time it's possible if I just use my regular melee or ranged attack?

Have your rogue in stealth and use sneak attack than have him run to another position and use his cunning action hide.. than use sneak attack again run hide repeat as much as you need

[Befitzero]

Umm no? Its not a reaction in combat you just need to be out of LOS and hiding. When you are fighting and its his turn are you holding down the shift key to see where the enemy can't see him before moving him?

My main is a rogue so I don't use Asterion, but I play him this way. I usually have my rogue detached from the party and have him sneak up to a group staying out of LOS and sticking to the shadows if possible. Once your hiding the button should light up as long as you are not seen, I usually use a bow to sneak attack, not sure if Asteroin has one but if he dosn't give him something he can attack with from range.

Once turn based kicks in I move the rest of my party up and have them join the fight. If its still my rogues turn I hold down shift to see where I can move him out of line of sight and then have him hide. Let the part distract the baddies and then have him move trying to stay out of the red LOS ( you can move into the red but you have to pass stealth checks) I hit the sneak attack button, rinse and repeat.

Some fights its harder but there is usually some spot you can move him to where he is out of LOS before trying to hide him. Just don't try to hide him if he can be seen because it will cause him to be spotted right away. Also make sure you are use the bonus move hide not the one that has the C hotkey which uses your action.

Not sure what his sub class is but I have an assassin rogue which gets bonus to stealth attacks.

If you are still having a hard time check out Youtube to show you how to play rogue, the game really doesn't explain really well on how a rogue should be played.

[Jaggid Edje]

Originally posted by Befitzero:

Umm no? Its not a reaction in combat you just need to be out of LOS and hiding. When you are fighting and its his turn are you holding down the shift key to see where the enemy can't see him before moving him?

You do not actually need to be out of LOS nor hiding.

Rogues can apply sneak attack damage any time they have advantage. hiding just happens to be one way to get advantage. Rogues also can apply sneak attack damage even without advantage if an ally is within melee range of the target.

That is core 5E rules, but in this case BG3 actually follows the core rules.

I multi-classed Karlach to rogue because I didn't want to use Astarion but wanted a rogue. Her barbarian reckless attack gives advantage, I use that to trigger her sneak attack damage 99% of the time. Toe-to-toe with the enemy, never worrying about hiding except to initiate combat in the first place.

[Lur Nen Rue]

If you really want to know stealth attack is a reaction or not spec 2 levels is spore, use the spore reaction attack, If it reaction you shouldn't able to sneak attack

[A Wispy Willy]

Well now I'm just left wondering why they have both. I guess I should just take the action off the hotbar in that case.

[Jaggid Edje]

Originally posted by A Wispy Willy:

Well now I'm just left wondering why they have both. I guess I should just take the action off the hotbar in that case.

I imagine they have both because some people just prefer a game to be "simple". Having the inquiry pop up and require you to select or deny the sneak attack damage every time you hit (until you've used it that turn) is surely more than some players would want to deal with.

Same reason opportunity attacks can be set to ask/automatic, basically. Tactically, "ask" is always going to be the better option, as you may not want to use it on the first enemy that triggers it in a round; you do only get the one opportunity attack in a round, after all.