Does Sneak Attack Have to be the First Attack?
In Dungeons & Dragons, the Sneak Attack feature is a powerful tool that allows rogues to deal additional damage to enemies when they are unaware or caught off guard. But a common question that many players and DMs ask is: does sneak attack have to be the first attack?
The answer is no, sneak attack does not have to be the first attack. In fact, according to the official D&D rules, a rogue can make a sneak attack once per turn, not just on their first attack.
When Can I Make a Sneak Attack?
As a rogue, you can make a sneak attack when you hit with a melee or ranged attack that doesn’t have a ranged weapon and doesn’t require a spell slot. You can make a sneak attack on any turn, not just on your first attack. You can use your sneak attack feature on multiple attacks per turn, but you can only add the sneak attack damage to one attack.
When Can’t I Make a Sneak Attack?
There are some limitations to when you can make a sneak attack. For example, you can’t make a sneak attack on an enemy that is immune to sneak attacks, such as a creature that has resistance to sneak attacks or a creature that is a giant. You also can’t make a sneak attack on an enemy that is under the effects of a spell or ability that cancels out sneak attacks, such as a spell that says "all creatures are immune to sneak attacks" or an ability that says "all creatures are immune to sneak attacks while it is active".
When Do I Get Advantage from a Sneak Attack?
When you make a sneak attack, you gain advantage on the attack roll and the damage roll. Advantage means that your attack roll and damage roll are made with a modifier of +2, giving you a better chance of hitting and dealing damage to the enemy.
Example: Sneak Attack in Action
Let’s say you are a rogue fighting a goblin on a narrow ledge. The goblin is unaware of your presence and is concentrating on the scenery. You sneak up behind the goblin and attack it with your short sword. The goblin doesn’t see you coming and is unable to react. You make a sneak attack and add 2d6 bonus damage to your attack. You roll a 10 on your attack roll, adding your advantage modifier of +2. The goblin’s armor class is 12, so the total roll is 12 (10 + 2). The goblin is hit and takes 10 damage (5 + 5) from the sneak attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a sneak attack does not have to be the first attack, but rather can be used on any turn when the conditions are met. The rogue can make a sneak attack on any melee or ranged attack that does not have a ranged weapon and does not require a spell slot. Remember to take advantage of the sneak attack feature to gain advantage on the attack roll and damage roll, giving you a better chance of hitting and dealing damage to the enemy.