Basically is the "Improved Cover" provided by arrow slits better or worse than Total Cover in regards to Improved Precise Shot?
I don't wanna hose my archer who got that feat, but I also don't wanna make it too easy for him to just shoot the enemies through the slits without any penalties that should apply.
I almost think the way it's written means, IPS applies in full and the Improved Cover doesn't give any AC bonus.
I figure though that after making a full attack through the slits the enemies could 5ft step to the side and be in Total Cover at least, and could use the sniping stealth rules in the other rounds (once they 5ft stepped in again to attack). Though even with the +10 from Imp Cover (and -20 for sniping) the archers perception is insanely high and he'll most likely see them.
You would ignore the AC bonus provided by the arrow slits. Think of it as getting the timing down just perfectly rather than shooting around corners.
You're right, total cover = there is literally no space for an arrow to go from point A to point B (without going around, anyway). Since an arrow slit provides a path, however small, that's less than total cover, and Improved Precise Shot ignores it completely.
As for the sniping, sure they can do it, but as you said, good luck with it working often.
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Improved Precise Shot (Combat)
Your ranged attacks ignore anything but total concealment and cover.
Prerequisites: Dex 19, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: Your ranged attacks ignore the AC bonus granted to targets by anything less than total cover, and the miss chance granted to targets by anything less than total concealment. Total cover and total concealment provide their normal benefits against your ranged attacks.
Normal: See the normal rules on the effects of cover and concealment in Combat.
I would say that IPS would negate the improved cover.
If the arrow slits are well made and you are firing from a lighted area the difference in the lighting levels between the outside and the interior of the arrow slits would make the firer practically invisible. So under those circumstances I would be tempted to give you a miss chance. But IPS negate "the miss chance granted to targets by anything less than total concealment" so even that isn't appropriate.Seeing the requirements (BAB +11) I would say "let's the martial have a good thing here" and allow IPS to negate all the effects of the arrowslits.
Yes that's what I thought, thanks.
He's a Zen Archer, so he got at at level 6, but now at 11 he also got Trick Shot so can even shoot around corners into total cover, but that's costly, so not sure he'll do that too often
The mook can stand up, shoot, and then drop prone.
