Does Point Blank Shot Works w / Rays?

[Wilhem]

As the title says, I am wondering if the +1 to atk and dmg rolls from PBS applies to scorching rays, for example.

[Safrac]

Wilhem wrote:

As the title says, I am wondering if the +1 to atk and dmg rolls from PBS applies to scorching rays, for example.

From what I recall the feat description talks about ranged attacks, but does not discriminate against ranged touch attacks. I don't know whether you would get the bonus to damage, but it seems reasonable to give you the bonus to attack.

[brassbaboon]

Yes, Point Blank shot works with rays, as do the subsequent feats on the tree, including precise shot and improved precise shot.

[Safrac]

Safrac wrote:

Wilhem wrote:

As the title says, I am wondering if the +1 to atk and dmg rolls from PBS applies to scorching rays, for example.

From what I recall the feat description talks about ranged attacks, but does not discriminate against ranged touch attacks. I don't know whether you would get the bonus to damage, but it seems reasonable to give you the bonus to attack.

Just reread the description. Seeing as a ranged touch attack is not a weapon, you shouldn't gain the bonuses at all.

[Lyrax]

On the contrary, the ray IS a weapon!

As it happens, weaponlike spells (which include rays and touch spells) are treated as weapons in Pathfinder. They can crit, they can benefit from point-blank shot, and you can take weapon focus in them.

[brassbaboon]

As Lyrax says, rays are weapons in PF. And I believe they were treated this way in 3.5 as well. At least my group always did.

A ray focused spellcaster can be a pretty devastating build with the right feats and magic items. A couple of metamagic rods can really make a ray caster's day. Throw in a couple pearls of power... A "cat's grace" buff... use touch AC.... welcome to the world of "miss only on a 1" raycasters...

[Cartigan]

brassbaboon wrote:

As Lyrax says, rays are weapons in PF. And I believe they were treated this way in 3.5 as well. At least my group always did.

They were in 3.5. I imagine it was questionable which was why they did a big write up on it in Complete Arcane when they introduced the Warlock whose bread and butter was rays (effectively)

[Aazen]

Wow. This makes me rethink builds for laying ground work to Arcane Archer.

[Cartigan]

Aazen wrote:

Wow. This makes me rethink builds for laying group work to Arcane Archer.

I don't see how this helps arcane archer.

[Aazen]

Last time I played an Arcane Archer I multiclassed Fighter in to get BAB and Feats. Primarily the ranged ones. I felt like I was gimping myself magic wise. But if I stick to the arcane class and pick those feats, sure it might take a bit longer but it can still be viable for ranged, both arcane and otherwise.

[brassbaboon]

Aazen wrote:

Last time I played an Arcane Archer I multiclassed Fighter in to get BAB and Feats. Primarily the ranged ones. I felt like I was gimping myself magic wise. But if I stick to the arcane class and pick those feats, sure it might take a bit longer but it can still be viable for ranged, both arcane and otherwise.

In 3.5 I have an archer druid who has taken the point blank tree, so far including point blank shot, precise shot and rapid shot. Using the "Spell Compendium" source for spells, she has access to several very deadly ranged touch attack spells (splinterbolt, for example). Although originally conceived and backstoried as an archer, these feats are amazingly powerful when she goes full-on ranged touch attack spellcaster. She's got a dex of 18 with "gloves of dexterity" and frequently buffs with "Bite of the Wererat" (+6 to dex, along with several other massively overpowered options). At level 7 she is typically shooting her ranged touch attack ray spells with a +15 or so to hit a touch AC against some heavily armored opponents with touch AC of 17 or so, meaning she hits on anything higher than a 1.

She may be the only ray-blasting druid in the history of the game, but she is a damage causing machine when she wants to be.