If LoS goes along a wall does that block LoE?
XOXXXOX
XXXXXXXCharacters O are in two alcoves (X is solid wall). Can they range each other at -4 cover or not see each other at all?
There is neither "line of sight" nor "line of effect" in that situation.
A GM can within reason rule that the first character to have initiative, can ready a shot if the other peeps out from cover, granting that character improved cover.
Tonight we had a romm we knew an arrow trap was in. Can we Total Defense/Move across against the trap? Total Defense is a +4 AC dodge bonus so assuming traps catch you flat footed you dont get dodge bonus'....but we knew it was there...not sure.
If the character is aware of the trap "Total defense" should apply normally.
To get out of a Grapple you can use your CMB, if you succeed you can escape or become the grappler. It doesnt mention this action as grappling so do you get -4 if you dont have both hands free?
You take -4 if you try to grapple out, but not if you use "escape artist". However, the grappled condition imposes a -4 peenalty on Dex, which applies to "escape artist" checks.
Im coming down off 4.0....in Pathfinder you get -4 to do a ranged attack through a friendly characters square?
Yes, unless your's or your targets size enables you to disregard cover.
If LoS goes along a wall does that block LoE?
XOXXXOX
XXXXXXXCharacters O are in two alcoves (X is solid wall). Can they range each other at -4 cover or not see each other at all?
There is no line of sight nor line of effect in that example. They have total cover in regards to each other.
Total Cover: If you don’t have line of effect to your target (that is, you cannot draw any line from your square to your target’s square without crossing a solid barrier), he is considered to have total cover from you. You can’t make an attack against a target that has total cover.
Tonight we had a romm we knew an arrow trap was in. Can we Total Defense/Move across against the trap? Total Defense is a +4 AC dodge bonus so assuming traps catch you flat footed you dont get dodge bonus'....but we knew it was there...not sure.
Technically yes I'd guess, but it almost goes against the reasoning and purpose of the trap so I wouldn't be surprised if a DM said no. Who is to say the arrow comes from the same place, at the same height, through the same area every time? Traps are one of those things that are pretty vague, and for good reason as they tend to stretch the realism for a classic effect.
Think of it this way, Sure it may be an arrow trap and mechanically only one arrow makes an attack roll against you, but because of the abstract premise of the game there could actually be 6 differing arrows going through the square only one of which would strike where the character is (as they generally do not take up an entire 5x5 square themselves). The fluff of the trap is generally irrelevant as the mechanical effect is what the player is dealing with. Seeing as there are 6 different arrows you are essentially dealing with 6 simultaneous attacks which places you off balance (or flat footed).
To get out of a Grapple you can use your CMB, if you succeed you can escape or become the grappler. It doesnt mention this action as grappling so do you get -4 if you dont have both hands free?
Once one creature is grappling another, they are both "grappled." By taking the standard action to try and escape you are in effect grappling and would take that -4 if you don't have both hands freed (IE it would be harder for you to get out of the grapple if you have a weapon in hand, or a weapon and shield). The sub heading "If you are grappled" is under the Grapple heading and the action should be considered as grappling.
Im coming down off 4.0....in Pathfinder you get -4 to do a ranged attack through a friendly characters square?
Actually, the rules say the creature you are attempting to hit gets a +4 to it's AC, you do not take a penalty to your attack.