Here's a stumper?

[robertthebard]

Ok, so I'm messing around with a Dwarven Defender, and I read how they can't be flanked after 6th level. Does this mean you are immune to sneak attacks? Because you don't lose dex bonus to invis creatures, and can't be flanked, and sneaks are more common if coming from a flanking position, once you get into combat mode. I've been trying to sort this out all day, when I had a minute, anyway.

[javan]

I think nwnwiki says it best...

Defensive Awareness II
Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Dwarven Defender 5
Specifics: The character can no longer be flanked, since he can react to opponents on opposite sides as easily as he can react to a single attack. Also the character retains his Dexterity bonus to AC, even if caught flat-footed or attacked by a hidden or invisible creature.
Use: Automatic

and it describes flanking as...

Flank
From NWNWiki
To flank is to be directly on the other side of a character who is currently attacking another character. A flanking attacker gains a +2 flanking bonus on attack rolls against the defender. A rogue can sneak attack a defender that she is flanking.
For example, suppose characters A and B are attacking one another. Should character C decide to attack either of them, she would get a +2 flanking bonus.
[edit]
Notes
· The +2 flanking bonus to AB does not count towards the +20 AB cap.
· The Dwarven Defender feat Defensive Awareness II prevents a character from becoming flanked.
Retrieved from "http://www.nwnwiki.org/Flank"


IIRC from discussions on the Bioware Forum there are several ways a rogue can initiate a sneak attack (knockdown, coming out of invisibility, flanking,... I will look them up later if you wish). Defensive Awareness II will prevent one way of sneak attacks (flanking) but the other methods still work on the Dwarven Defender.

[robertthebard]

I'm going to test that theory later on today. I can take the char someplace where there are huge mobs that are rogue type builds, and see what happens. I kind of figure the answer to be no, but if you look at the situations covered by DA2, it sure looks plausible.

[Stratos]

Originally posted by javan: IIRC from discussions on the Bioware Forum there are several ways a rogue can initiate a sneak attack (knockdown, coming out of invisibility, flanking,... I will look them up later if you wish). Defensive Awareness II will prevent one way of sneak attacks (flanking) but the other methods still work on the Dwarven Defender.

...Which is a good thing, otherwise it would nullify one of the Rogue's most powerful class ability.

[robertthebard]

Disable traps?

[Witchdoctor]

Originally posted by robertthebard: Disable traps?

Not at all. Appraise is the most valuable thief class skill. That extra little bit of money you get selling items really makes all the difference in a money poor game like NWN.

[Legolas]

I'd have to go with evasion skills, myself. Or UMD. Wearing wizard robes and monk boots whilst wielding a blackguard sword gets you the best of all those little worlds.

[Stratos]

I was talking about Sneak Attacks; the best way for a Rogue to dish out any serious damage (bar powerful spell scrolls or multiclassing.)

[Legolas]

And epic traps.

[ZFR]

Originally posted by Stratos: I was talking about Sneak Attacks;

Thanks for explaining what you were talking about. If it wasn't for this post I wouldn't have known what you meant. And would've thought robert and witchdoctor were serious.