You can only make ranged trip attempt with weapons that specifically state that you can.I can make a trip attack with a non-trip melee weapon.
Bolas are a ranged trip weapon.Can I make a trip maneuver with a non-trip ranged weapon?
That's what I always thought too, but I'm unable to find it stated in the rules or rulings. Do you know where I might be able to find that?
Take the Throw Anything feat and throw a tripping weapon. :)
Trip Arrows from Elves of Golarion are 25 gp a piece and only get a static +5 CMB to trip, so I don't think they're worth it. I think you still deal damage at least, though it's certainly not as clear as it could be.
Trip Arrows are you roll an attack and get a Free trip at +5.
That means on a Trip focused Archer with a High B.A.B. and damage on their bow you can deal heavy damage & trip their target.
The arrows say a CMB of +5. So I don't think the archer's BAB matters. They're strictly a low level item. Yes, it's silly that the archer's skill has no effect on how well he can trip with the arrow.
I view it more like an Impact Arrow. Specifically designed to translate the Power into knocking the target off balance.
The B.A.B. is to ensure he hits and B.A.B. affects how high their CMB is. If they take Agile Maneuvers they are using B.A.B. and DEX for Attack and CMB.
They don't need Agile Maneuvers. They're using their weapon to trip, and when you use a weapon to do a combat maneuver, you use whatever ability modifies attacks for that weapon, if it is not strength. See the Weapon Finesse FAQ.
Some people would argue that it doesn't apply to this.
I agree though. But Agile Maneuvers would still be useful on an Archer alongside Weapon Finesse for whenever they were locked into melee.
And I should note that I am viewing this from my standard class of Fighter. Which really doesn't need a Trip Arrow to trip their foes if they take the Archer Archetype.
Yeah, and trip at level 11.... with a -4 CMB penalty.
True. That can be explained as the Arrow isn't meant to transfer the energy to trip alongside them having to adjust their aim to trip the target.