There is a feat (Snap Shot and its tree) that allow an archer to threaten and thus make attacks of opportunity. However, by RAW the flanking rules specifically state a melee weapon and nothing in Snap Shot overrules this.
With that said there are some who believe that Snap Shot should overcome this limitation and provide flanking bonuses. There are some that don't. If you do a search for Snap Shot youll find the various threads regarding this.
- Gauss
Edit: I forgot this but there was one other thing. The flanking rules do not specifically state what type of weapon the opposing flanker must have. Only that the opposing flanker must threaten. Thus: with snap shot you may provide a flanking bonus to another person but not receive one.
a spiked gauntlet or 2 effectively gives you daggers in each hand. I'd say you can have one on your hand drawing and notching arrows and any time the opportunity comes up make your AOO or count as threatening.
Asta
PSY
Normally to flank an opponent, you must be using a melee weapon.
For some reason I seem to recall a feat or something that allows an archer to flank with a bow within 30 feet.
Am I remembering correctly or am I nuts?
Thanks!
There is a teamwork feat called Enfilading Fire that allows you to receive flanking benefit with your ranged weapon if two team mates are flanking the target. They both need the teamwork feat too, though.
Until you get the feats, I suggest armor spikes.
This, Armor spikes are a wise investment imo.
Marc, you're probably thinking of this one from Costello's book.
However, by RAW the flanking rules specifically state a melee weapon and nothing in Snap Shot overrules this.
I forgot this but there was one other thing. The flanking rules do not specifically state what type of weapon the opposing flanker must have. Only that the opposing flanker must threaten. Thus: with snap shot you may provide a flanking bonus to another person but not receive one.
No they don't. It states you threaten when you can make a melee attack, and that you don't threaten only if you are "unarmed". A bow can be used as an improvised melee weapon, so yes, you are considered armed for the purpose of threatening. But spiked gauntlets would really be much better.
No they don't. It states you threaten when you can make a melee attack, and that you don't threaten only if you are "unarmed". A bow can be used as an improvised melee weapon, so yes, you are considered armed for the purpose of threatening. But spiked gauntlets would really be much better.However, by RAW the flanking rules specifically state a melee weapon and nothing in Snap Shot overrules this.
I forgot this but there was one other thing. The flanking rules do not specifically state what type of weapon the opposing flanker must have. Only that the opposing flanker must threaten. Thus: with snap shot you may provide a flanking bonus to another person but not receive one.
Actually, it says something quite different.
Flanking
When making a melee attack, you get a +2 flanking bonus if your opponent is threatened by another enemy character or creature on its opposite border or opposite corner.
When in doubt about whether two characters flank an opponent in the middle, trace an imaginary line between the two attackers’ centers. If the line passes through opposite borders of the opponent’s space (including corners of those borders), then the opponent is flanked.
Exception: If a flanker takes up more than 1 square, it gets the flanking bonus if any square it occupies counts for flanking.
Only a creature or character that threatens the defender can help an attacker get a flanking bonus.
Creatures with a reach of 0 feet can’t flank an opponent.
The first highlighted section indicates that the attacker gaining the flanking bonus must be making a melee attack. Regarding the assisting flanker it only states that the assisting flanker must threaten. It does not state the assisting flanker must be threatening with a melee weapon.
The second highlighted section again states that the assisting flanker needs to threaten in order to help. Again, no mention of melee threatening.
Since the Snap Shot feat grants the ability to threaten it qualifies to assist flanking but not benefit from flanking.
- Gauss
You threaten all squares into which you can make a melee attack, even when it is not your turn.
Threatened is explicitly melee only as the general rule. "Threaten with a melee weapon" is a highly redundant statement.
Correct Cheapy, except in the case of Snap Shot where it explicitly states that you threaten with a ranged weapon. That allows you to be the ally to provide flanking.
What it does NOT state is any text that overrides the 'When making a melee attack' statement. Thus, you can provide a flanking bonus using Snap Shot but cannot gain a flanking bonus using Snap Shot.
While it may have been redundant for them to make the statement it could also have been said they forgot to include wording that indicates a person with Snap Shot can gain a flanking bonus. We only have the specific wording in question.
- Gauss
It's all ridiculous. You can't safely ignore the guy 20ft behind you with the bow. /facepalm
No they don't. It states you threaten when you can make a melee attack, and that you don't threaten only if you are "unarmed". A bow can be used as an improvised melee weapon, so yes, you are considered armed for the purpose of threatening. But spiked gauntlets would really be much better.However, by RAW the flanking rules specifically state a melee weapon and nothing in Snap Shot overrules this.
I forgot this but there was one other thing. The flanking rules do not specifically state what type of weapon the opposing flanker must have. Only that the opposing flanker must threaten. Thus: with snap shot you may provide a flanking bonus to another person but not receive one.
Actually, it says something quite different.
** spoiler omitted **
The first highlighted section indicates that the attacker gaining the flanking bonus must be making a melee attack. Regarding the assisting flanker it only states that the assisting flanker must threaten. It does not state the assisting flanker must be threatening with a melee weapon.
The second highlighted section again states that the assisting flanker needs to threaten in order to help. Again, no mention of...
I'm not saying that.
I'm saying that you threaten even without Snap Shot.
It's all ridiculous. You can't safely ignore the guy 20ft behind you with the bow. /facepalm
I agree. I have a friend who I used to DM with who kept complaining about how Flanked should be a condition. Since anyone is going to be able to benefit from a distracted opponent, not just if you're right opposite of him.
It's inane but...thems the rules.
CommandoDude, I agree that armor spikes, spiked gauntlets, etc. allow you to threaten until you gain snap shot. But you are still limited to 5feet. With Improved Snap Shot you can threaten to a range of 15 feet and thus provide flanking (although not benefit from flanking) at a distance of 15 feet.
- Gauss