Sneak Attack got some sort of ninja buff for certain WSs

[archibaldcrane]

When subbed, Sneak Attack is now making Tachi: Enpi and Sturmwind 100% accurate on both hits. This is a change and wasn't noted in any patch notes recently. We don't know how extensive this change is, but we know it doesn't affect Shark Bite (another 2 hit WS) on Thief mainjob.

Much more info here - I feel this discovery needs more research and discussion - was it intentional? Did SE just mess something up? Is it for just these two WSs, if not which others?

For more info:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=21610&p=679076#p679076
Original KI thread

You'll find my tests on Sturmwind vs. mobs 15+ levels higher while naked, 100% both hits landed. Someone else did their own Tachi: Enpi test, here:

Went to the same zone as the galka did.

First set of tests:

Ninja 50 / Thief 25 (which i ended up delevling to 49 because of aggro at end of test)
Gear:

Shinai (the event npc katana) GKT skill on nin/thf= 94 (was getting skill ups)
Kingdom Aketon
Opaline Boots
Opaline Legs

Regular tp hits resulted in 13, consistently 13, so no weird 1 extra tp like i get on thf sometimes, so a full return on ws would be 14 tp. Since NIN/THF gets no traits and I dont have brutal or anyother piece that adds trpl/dbl attack its not possible to go above 14.

TP gained on lower lvl mobs like dhamels, then switched to goblins for ws, 8/8 ws's done with SA T:Enpi resulted in 14 tp, now given this may seem small, but I did use the Blinding Potions, and after I had reached tp via shikyoko(sam in party) or from the dhalmels, I would go behind the mob, 4 of the trys were done with out anything, just previously stated gear, the second set of 4, were used with a blinding potion up, all 8 ws's resulted in a full return, the gob that was getting ws'd was thf type, which without a BPotion I could barely hit, and with the potion up I missed 25 attack rounds in a row, so I feel its sufficient that if I was going to miss, i would with -255 acc, on a mob i could barely hit in the first place. The other 2 ws's were done with 1 blinding potion, and one non blinding potion ws without being stacked with sneak attack, both missed completly. 0% return. So clearly the modifier dosent have to do with just 2 handed weapons in general, but while stacked with sneak attack.

Just for shits and giggles didnt miss on a lesser manticore either. just tried it after getting raised lol.
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Just came back out as WAR/THF with the same results with the ae i had used when exping out here last month or so(and was missing with) and did the exact same thing as previously stated but sturmwind instead of enpi and had the exact same results.

[Ryko]

I'd say try it with guillo and raging rush just to see how far it goes.

[archibaldcrane]

I'd say try it with guillo and raging rush just to see how far it goes.

Recent reports suggest it doesn't affect 3+ hitters, and I'd expect such high profile WS to have been noticed by now. But I'd love someone with the appropriate job(s) to grab some blinding potions and do some tests - blinding potions are -256 accuracy, so it's a good way to go.

2h multi-hit WSs include:
Great Katana:
Tachi: Enpi (confirmed)
Tachi: Jinpu - 2 hitter, unconfirmed, would fit the pattern

Great Axe:
Sturmwind (confirmed)
Raging Rush - 3 hitter

Scythe:
Cross Reaper - 2 hitter, 100% accurate confirmed by Madawc
Guilltine - 4 hitter

Great Sword:
Sickle Moon - 2 hitter, unconfirmed, would fit the pattern

Polearm:
Double Thrust - 2 hitter, unconfirmed, would fit the pattern
Impulse Drive - 2 hitter, confirmed by Akanei (15/15 vs. Khimaira)
Skewer - 3 hitter
Penta Thrust - 5 hitter


Also, if any thief main has the event polearm or great katana and can sub something to give them the appropriate WS (especially Tachi: Enpi, since it's confirmed) I'd like to see if this works for Thf main also. Remember, whatever this change is, its very recent, so don't rely on old anecdotal evidence.

[evilpaul]

See if it works with Blade: Retsu?

[archibaldcrane]

See if it works with Blade: Retsu?

I'd like to see more 1h tests also. It definitely doesn't work with Shark Bite on THF main.
Fast Blade confirmed 100% accuracy by me
Savage Blade reported 100% accuracy by kuronosan
Blade: Retsu appears 100% accurate as per my tests with Raldo - could use a bit more testing
Blade: Chi appears 100% accurate as per my tests with Raldo - could use a bit more testing
Raging Axe
Black Halo

are the 1-handed WSs that are 2-hits besides Shark Bite.

Confirmed NOT to be 100% accuracy on SA+Blade: Ku or SA+Blade: Jin by Raldo on Midgardsormr (We're testing right now.)

[Demosthenes11]

savage blade might be useful on blu

[Dense]

I wonder if it now affects the second hit of Dragon Kick. That would make everything different for MNK/THF, as well as giving PUP/THF something useful. Imagine being able to stack STR and boost to 12 to do a 300% (3x dmg mod) DK that has 100% accuracy...

[Lordwafik]

savage blade might be useful on blu

wouldn't go with the "2 handed weapon" theme that it's enhancing.

Sounds more like a bug than anything, expect a fix.

[Nojuego]

As far as I can remember, both hits of Dragon Kick are guaranteed with SA.

[Delekii]

savage blade might be useful on blu

yeah, lets SA a ~500 damage WS instead of SAing the following ~1000 damage spell which closes the skillchain

[Dense]

As far as I can remember, both hits of Dragon Kick are guaranteed with SA.

Before any ninja buffs, this was completely false. Only the first hit was guaranteed, and forced us to continue to need accuracy to land, and isn't very worthwhile on HNMs or Gods, because you have to decide between accuracy for landing the second hit, or stacking stats to boost the first. It would be a completely different WS with 2hits guaranteed.

[Therin]

blinding potions are -256 accuracy, so it's a good way to go.

Hmm, might have to get me some of those for Khimaira and Tiamat. Would be a nice way to keep myself able to Parry proc without feeding it too much unnecessary TP.

[Septimus]

savage blade might be useful on blu

wouldn't go with the "2 handed weapon" theme that it's enhancing.

Sounds more like a bug than anything, expect a fix.

True, but it would be better to find out if it is specific to two-handed weapons or all weapons.

Fast Blade is also two-hits.

[SeraphusRagnarok]

I tried /THF at gods lat week on Byakko, naked except for Polearm and got several 13%(1 hit) SA+Impulse Drives...

[Starr]

It's been a long time but I definately used to miss second hit on SA Sturmwind occasionally, sorry if I'm stating the obvious.

[Juvant]

I can't recall once missing the second hit of a multi hit WS with SA

Always thought it was just a fact that it guaranteed the first two hits land. That being said, I don't remember using SA WS with 1 handed weapons often.

[Septimus]

What about using Sneak Attack to cause the second hit to be 100% accurate on a 1-hit weapon skill when using Warrior's Charge?

[archibaldcrane]

I tried /THF at gods lat week on Byakko, naked except for Polearm and got several 13%(1 hit) SA+Impulse Drives...

Noted, I'll update the list. Anyone else test anything?

[NynJa]

What about using Sneak Attack to cause the second hit to be 100% accurate on a 1-hit weapon skill when using Warrior's Charge?

Attacks that generate due to double and triple attack are allready guaranteed hits by the 100% accuracy generated by Sneak Attack.

[Khamsin]

For the 3+ hit WSs that aren't guaranteed with SA, are all 2+ hits after the first unguaranteed, or just the 3rd onward?

e.g. Will the first two hits of Raging Rush be guaranteed, and the third not? Thereby explaning variation in TP returns. Or have people gotten TP return for a single hit off SA+Raging Rush recently?

Is there a way to tell if the 2nd hit of Sturmwind/Enpi are crits? Or is all we know so far is that they're 100%?