Ralzakark1's page

At GenCon, one of the GMs I was rooming with mentioned a particularly annoying wizard with a weasel familiar. He was upset with the weasel's ability to automatically grapple when it hit with a bite. Having never even looked at the weasel before, I was impressed with the ability.

Let's capitalize on it!

Have you quite realised the awesomeness of the weasel's auto-grapple yet? The grappled condition prevents both grapplers from moving, and there is no size limitation (as that's meant to be accounted for in teh CMB/CMD check that you don't need to make).

I would use the rules for splash weapons. This line make it clear the AC of a spot on the map, rather then a target.

agreed the spot is ac 5. it shouldnt be hard to hit a square, you are firing an arrow into a 5 foot square not aiming at an item or person so harder ac to hit would be redundant.

Cheers for the quick responses. Good to know I haven't missed something obvious!

Scenario: an archer wants to fire one or more smoke arrows targeted at empty squares in order to put up a smokescreen. What is the AC roll needed to hit those squares?

The only related reference I can find is targeting a grid intersection with a splash weapon (AC5) which would be pretty much automatic. Would the same rules apply? The squares could be much further away than a thrown weapon could reach.

Would you rule that the ground must be soft enough to allow the arrows to embed themselves (thus ruling out use in most indoor/dungeon areas)? Or would you let the PCs be skilled enough to arc and drop the arrow onto the required square? ALl thoughts appreciated, cheers.

You can always take a 5ft step after making the melee attack if you miss to avoid AoO when firing your ranged attacks.

Oh yeah, I forgot you can 5ft step between attacks. Doh.

What I dont understand is why not just take the 5ft step in the first place and then you are 5ft from your target and can make all of your rapid shot attacks as normal.

The main advantage I see is that it stops the enemy being able to 5ft step and full attack you next round, as you knock them back 5, then step 5 back during your turn.

Feat text:
"When adjacent to an opponent and making a full-attack action with a longbow or shortbow (including composite bows), you may choose to make a melee attack against that opponent with a drawn arrow rather than firing it. If the attack hits—whether or not it does damage—your target is pushed back 5 feet away from you. You can then fire arrows from your bow normally, at the original target, or at another target within range. This melee attack replaces the extra attack from Rapid Shot, and all of your attack rolls for the round (the melee attack and the ranged attacks) take a –2 penalty. If your initial attack leaves you with no enemies threatening you, you can make the subsequent ranged attack or attacks without provoking attacks of opportunity"

From the equipment section, an arrow counts as an improvised weapon and so takes -4 to hit, and there's nothing in this feat to suggest that isn't the case. You then take an extra -2 from the Rapid Shot. You're also unlikely to ever get feat or enchantment bonuses at higher levels, as they'll be on your bow not your ammo, and you'll be using Str not Dex as your attribute.

To cap it, the choice to use rapid shot is a full attack action, so if you miss your BAB+Str-6 attack at the start you're screwed, because you're left with either provoking AoO with your remaining attacks or standing there doing nothing and 5ft stepping away at the end of your turn.

Anyone please feel free to point out where I've got it wrong, so that this seems worth taking again!