Does flanking work from HiPS?

[Hoihe]

Debating going swash8, and I'm wondering if the +2 (+4 with swash 8) AB from flanking also applies if attacking from HiPS, or only when mob is attacking someone else.

If the later, how reliable is getting flanking AB? Does it stack indefinitely or does it have a limit (AB bonus 20)?


Also as a side note: is disarm worth it at all?

Debating getting Improved flanking and disarm (swash 8) or stick to swash 7. Means losing 7th circle spells.

[Blackman D]

pretty sure flanking always stacks since its a conditional bonus and not a constant one like gmw or weap focus

also pretty sure flanking and flatfooted from stealth both apply since you are auto off guard from stealth even tho you may not be behind them, whereas out of stealth if you use feint you should get SA from making them flatfooted but flatfooted /= flanked

disarm is great when you are fighting anything that can actually be disarmed, drops damage down to damn near nothing that can be soaked up with stoneskin, but spells may be more reliable against the majority

[Hoihe]

pretty sure flanking always stacks since its a conditional bonus and not a constant one like gmw or weap focus

also pretty sure flanking and flatfooted from stealth both apply since you are auto off guard from stealth even tho you may not be behind them, whereas out of stealth if you use feint you should get SA from making them flatfooted but flatfooted /= flanked

disarm is great when you are fighting anything that can actually be disarmed, drops damage down to damn near nothing that can be soaked up with stoneskin, but spells may be more reliable against the majority

Presently I'm looking at 2 options:

wiz12/swb8/du7/sd3 - gets 4 IGMSes and then a number of 4th/5th circle blasting spells with disarm and +2 flanking AB
wiz13/swb7/du7/sd3 - 7 IGMSes, blasting with lower levels as above.

My normaly playstyle is to just drop a GMW/Keen on my sword and fight without wards until boss, then blast the boss with Assay/breach/IGMS/lower level blasts.

[zhazz]

Debating going swash8, and I'm wondering if the +2 (+4 with swash 8) AB from flanking also applies if attacking from HiPS, or only when mob is attacking someone else.

Flanking only applies when the mob is attacking someone else, which is explained on the Wiki:

https://nwn2.fandom.com/wiki/Flank

If the later, how reliable is getting flanking AB? Does it stack indefinitely or does it have a limit (AB bonus 20)?

See above link for reliability.
According to the wiki page for attack bonus, Flanking shouldn't count towards the cap, since it is a circumstantial bonus, and not a permanent/buff bonus.
https://nwn2.fandom.com/wiki/Attack_bonus

[Hoihe]

Debating going swash8, and I'm wondering if the +2 (+4 with swash 8) AB from flanking also applies if attacking from HiPS, or only when mob is attacking someone else.

Flanking only applies when the mob is attacking someone else, which is explained on the Wiki:

https://nwn2.fandom.com/wiki/Flank

If the later, how reliable is getting flanking AB? Does it stack indefinitely or does it have a limit (AB bonus 20)?

See above link for reliability.
According to the wiki page for attack bonus, Flanking shouldn't count towards the cap, since it is a circumstantial bonus, and not a permanent/buff bonus.
https://nwn2.fandom.com/wiki/Attack_bonus

So whenever the enemy does not target me, I get a boost. Bit annoying since ideally the enemy were to target me when in party play, but I guess it's still nice and works with the whole "tactical fighting style" idea.

[Blackman D]

yea thats what i had thought

you other option would be to use summons, or at least summon from a wand if you want the distraction

[zhazz]

Whenever the enemy is not targeting you, and you are behind it. Behind it refering to the 180 degree angle facing backwards.