Counter to Sneak Attack?

[Thegeneral]

What is the best way to defend yourself against the sneak attack ability? I have a level 16 druid/shifter. Is there a feat that defends against it? My character is heavy on tumble, hide with lightning reflexes. Level 6 druid as far as spell casting and a level 5 shifter. Is there a shapeshift form that is good against it? Thanks!

[Magrus]

If you can get past level 10 Shifter to get either of the two feats Construct Shape or Undead Shape, those are immune to sneak attacks.

[Fiberfar]

Having Uncanny dodge or Dwarven Awareness would probably help. Uncanny Dodge (Rogue, Shadow Dancer, Barbarian and Assassin) lets you retain your Dexterity bonus to AC even if caught flat footed. So if a rogue hides and attack you you should retain whatever dex bonus you got. Dwarven Awareness (only the Dwarven Defender Class) also lets you retain your dex to AC even when flat footed. I am not sure that this would work however. But it sounds likely when a rogue attacks as you run by.

[Magrus]

I've always been curious about that myself. The wording is strange on the ability of the DD. Is it just allowing you to keep your dex bonus to AC, or does it allow you not be flanked whatsoever and therefore negates anyone's ability to get a sneak attack in?

You can MAKE items that make you immune to sneak attacks, but I haven't found anything in the game itself already made. I just know I had a shifter character that I'd picked the undead shape specifically for characters with ability drain and sneak attacks that kept irritating me.

[Fiberfar]

Uncanny dodge lets you retain your dex bonus to AC, even if caught flat footed. Dwarven Awareness however, lets you retain AC and makes you "immune" to flanking.

I take it that this means that the Dwarven Defender can't be attacked from behind giving the enemies any bonuses to attack. And that no rogue can make sneak attack to him. Since sneak attacks require that the opponent can not see or respond to the attacker.

[Magrus]

That's what I thought, just wasn't sure. Good to know, a few levels in DD would be worth taking for just about any dwarf character then.

[Fiberfar]

Too bad you need 6 levels to be immune to flanking. But when multiclassed right, almost nothing can harm the DD.

[Magrus]

That's very true.

I'm still trying to make a good Monk/DD build that is decent for that reason. One that can zip into a fight, plant himself there, not get nailed with sneak attacks, not get crushed by pure melee fighters and beat the enemy senseless with his fists.

Damage reduction, immunity to flanking, improved evasion, high damage without needing a weapon, great speed, spell resistance. It's just hard getting the attributes right.

Now I'm wishing my human F/M was a dwarf.

[Fiberfar]

It is better to try a Ranger/monk/DD then

you can get 12 Dr, 10 attacks per round with Kama. Your AC can be high with the right items.

[Thegeneral]

Thx for the advice on the Sneak Attack, very helpful. Would toughness be good to get as well or would it be better to focus on avoidance feats even though I am putting pretty much everything to wisdom. My goal is Druid/Shifter/monk with one level of monk. What do you guys think

[Magrus]

Personally, if I ever have a build that isn't truly in need of specific feats, I take toughness. Just because, it gives you a good amount of HP. It just keeps getting better every time you level too if I'm not wrong. Out of any feat in the game, I have to say that one is a good one to take regardless of when you take it or who takes it.

If it comes up that your at a level where you can't access the feats you need, and can't find one that is a prerequisite or truly important, I'd say take it. Since you'll be in melee a lot, knockdown and improved knockdown would be good for you to take, I'd grab those if you can first. If you can't grab those, or one of the feats as a shifter, or Extend Spell. That's helpful to buff yourself and then shift...take toughness on a level you get a feat like that.