Round 1: From behind cover, an archer fires a full attack, drops prone as a free action.
Round 2: Stands from prone as a move action, fires an arrow, drops prone as a free action.
Round 3: Stands from prone as a move action, fires an arrow with Vital Strke, drops prone as a free action.
Round 1: From behind cover, an archer fires a full attack, drops prone as a free action.
Round 2: Stands from prone as a move action, fires an arrow, drops prone as a free action.
Round 3: Stands from prone as a move action, fires an arrow with Vital Strke, drops prone as a free action.
What kind of cover? If it's a low obstacle (half your height), and you're closer to it than your target, then you can ignore it. If it completely blocks line of effect, then you'll have total cover, otherwise it's normal or partial cover (+4/+2 GM's discretion).
In terms of actions, that's all doable. Rounds 2 and 3 are basically the same.
I was going to ask why he used Vital Strike on round 3, but not on round 2.
Keep in mind that the archer would provoke AoOs for both standing from prone and for firing an arrow. If anything were to threaten him, it would be bad news.
Also, since archers get their best damage on a full attack (manyshot, rapid shot, iteratives) that this tactic seems sub-optimal for a few points of AC and reflex, which a high dex archer probably needn't worry much about.
Yes, this it totally a legal set of actions, but not necessarily the best set of actions to take.
I like it, the archer wants to stay alive. If he is lucky, the cover will really keep him safe and other targets will be focused upon.
This archer will live through many battles.
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Also, since archers get their best damage on a full attack (manyshot, rapid shot, iteratives) that this tactic seems sub-optimal for a few points of AC and reflex, which a high dex archer probably needn't worry much about.
The archer loses his full-attack, but gains total cover. That's a lot more than a few points of AC since he can't be targeted by ranged attacks or effects.
The archer loses his full-attack, but gains total cover. That's a lot more than a few points of AC since he can't be targeted by ranged attacks or effects.
Also, since archers get their best damage on a full attack (manyshot, rapid shot, iteratives) that this tactic seems sub-optimal for a few points of AC and reflex, which a high dex archer probably needn't worry much about.
Ah. When I read it, I assumed he started behind total cover (around a doorway or something), stepped into cover, then dropped prone in the doorway.
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I've had a BBEG get dropped into a 5ft pit (expeditious excavation - the party druid tried to use it offensively) and then start the up-and-down dance with a wand of magic missile while her minions kept blocking the PCs from getting to her.
Good times. :)
Counter-tactic is readied action against arrow shooter popping up again.
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Lob splash weapons over. You know their spot. Alchemist's Fire, Tanglefoot Bags, etc. Or a weighted net to keep them pinned.
Readied action, as Murphy mentioned, is the most effective counter-measure by another ranged attacker (who hopefully has *some* cover as they stand there with bow drawn).
Or find cover of your own on your turn. If they are prone behind cover, they can't see where you're going.
Simply use the readied action to pop him when he comes up to fire. Your actions resolve before his.
I like it, the archer wants to stay alive. If he is lucky, the cover will really keep him safe and other targets will be focused upon.
This archer will live through many battles.
Lives thoughtmany battles but will die due to his on actions.....
If he miss or the bad guy can close he is lunch. KIll the bady shoot first , shoot offen, and shoot on target. The full attack he lose hurt so much damage and all the chance to Crittcal with time 3 weapon.
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To add a wrinkle to this, how would you incorporate a stealth check into this so that you could sneak attack?
Or would this be the "Sniping" option of the Stealth Skill?
This would essentially be the "sniping" option, yes. Though to do sniping you wouldn't be able to actually drop prone each time, instead you'd be spending a full-round action to fire a shot and then hide again behind the cover.
unless its a low wall, firing from cover isn't very helpful to an archer. THe line of sight works both ways: if the archer has cover from his enemy then his enemy has cover from the archer.
The archer loses his full-attack, but gains total cover. That's a lot more than a few points of AC since he can't be targeted by ranged attacks or effects.
Also, since archers get their best damage on a full attack (manyshot, rapid shot, iteratives) that this tactic seems sub-optimal for a few points of AC and reflex, which a high dex archer probably needn't worry much about.
As I see it, yeah.
Counter-tactic is readied action against arrow shooter popping up again.
Thus also limiting your foes to standard actions. If you are better built to capitalize on standard action attacks, this=win.
To add a wrinkle to this, how would you incorporate a stealth check into this so that you could sneak attack?
Or would this be the "Sniping" option of the Stealth Skill?
Total cover=unobserved, Stealth Away! (At no penalty)
unless its a low wall, firing from cover isn't very helpful to an archer. THe line of sight works both ways: if the archer has cover from his enemy then his enemy has cover from the archer.
Yes, this only works with a low wall type cover. I think that's self evident, but maybe not.
Drop prone=Total Cover
Stand Up=Regular Cover.
The true counter tactic is to engage the archer in melee. If this is not an option... Win!
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To add a wrinkle to this, how would you incorporate a stealth check into this so that you could sneak attack?
Or would this be the "Sniping" option of the Stealth Skill?
I do believe this would be considered Sniping. Considering you aren't moving from the spot you started shooting at, any enemy that becomes aware of you wouldn't be subject to sneak attacks anymore. Popping up and down like a whack-a-mole doesn't make them unaware of where you are, simply unable to attack you. That being said, if you roll well on your stealth for sniping, it is possible to get a few sneak attacks off before all of your enemies are aware of you. I would also say that if you don't attack for a round or more and scoot over to a different location under cover, you might be able to re-roll stealth against any enemies who knew where you were before.
Mechanically this has a distinction in that readied actions to 'fire when you see the whites of their eyes' will not go off against a successful sniping action but will go off against even a stealthy standing up from prone behind that wall.-James
How do you figure?
If you use Stealth while ducking behind a wall then stand up, you still have cover from the wall and can still use Stealth. Unless your opponent can beat your Stealth check with his Perception, he cannot see you.
If he can't see you, he can't see the "whites of your eyes" so his readied action never goes off.
You have to be able to perceive, somehow, the activating condition for a readied action to go off, don't you?