Melee Inquisitor backup ranged weapon

[Akaizhar]

Greetings all.

I posted before about some ranged Inquisitor questions I had, however, I decided to go the Melee route.

I did my first scenario (had a blast btw!) today with him and found that it would be nice to have some sort of ranged as a "backup" or for sneak attacks, difficult terrain, etc. I do have a sling and ammo, but I wanted something with more punch, so here are some questions (note: this is for PFS):

1) Shortbow vs Repeating Crossbow - my thoughts are the pros for Shortbow is the different types of ammo (blunt arrows for skellies, smoke arrows, etc) plus adding str modifier (str 16). The pros for the Crossbow are rate of fire, ability to shoot prone, and greater range. What do you guys think would be better? I have no intention of using any feats for ranged.

2) How does the -4 work for in melee enemies. Does that mean if they are approaching me, they are casting without anyone else in melee with them, or if I see them first the -4 does not apply? Obviously if they are fighting with my comrades, it applies, but I was confused as to when the -4 starts.

3) ?

4) Profit

Thanks for your help!

[blackbloodtroll]

What's your build?
What's your God?
What's your Race?

[Akaizhar]

blackbloodtroll wrote:

What's your build?

What's your God?
What's your Race?

Str 16

Dex 12
Con 13
Int 10
Wis 16 (14 +2 racial)
Cha 10
(Wearing Scale Mail main weapon is Great Axe.)

God is Cayden Cailean - using Exploration Domain (Door Sight really helped in today's scenario!)

Race is Half Orc

[blackbloodtroll]

Carry a sling. The great thing about a sling is, no matter how you pump your strength, you will always get full strength to damage.
Also, carry a net. There are just so many times when a net is very useful.

[Akaizhar]

blackbloodtroll wrote:

Carry a sling. The great thing about a sling is, no matter how you pump your strength, you will always get full strength to damage.

Also, carry a net. There are just so many times when a net is very useful.

Oh! I didnt even think of carrying a net... great idea!

[blackbloodtroll]

Oh yeah, even later levels, I have found a net to be useful.
Spellcaster trouble? Net.
Creature Spell-like abilities keeping you down? Net.
Evil NPC keeps running away? Net.
Flying enemy gives you trouble? Net.

[Akaizhar]

I can see many many uses for that.

Can someone answer my second question?

[Deadmanwalking]

Akaizhar wrote:

I can see many many uses for that.

Can someone answer my second question?

It applies while they are in melee. So, while they are within someone else's Reach or that other person is within theirs. If, by their current placement, someone could make a melee attack on them, or they could on someone else, then the -4 applies.

And, when you get a +6 BAB, switch out your Slingfor a composite longbow with an appropriate Str bonus, since the sling requires actions to reload, while the bow does not (letting you make full attacks with it). The sling'll likdely be fine till then, though.

[Akaizhar]

Deadmanwalking wrote:

Akaizhar wrote:

I can see many many uses for that.

Can someone answer my second question?

It applies while they are in melee. So, while they are within someone else's Reach or that other person is within theirs. If, by their current placement, someone could make a melee attack on them, or they could on someone else, then the -4 applies.

And, when you get a +6 BAB, switch out your Slingfor a composite longbow with an appropriate Str bonus, since the sling requires actions to reload, while the bow does not (letting you make full attacks with it). The sling'll likdely be fine till then, though.

Great, thats what I needed to know! Thanks Deadman :)