I have a PC who is considering taking the weapon +4 enhancement Designating Great which states
This special ability can only be placed on ranged weapons or ammunition. Each time a ranged weapon or ammunition with this ability hits a creature, its magic designates the target. Allies gain a +4 morale bonus on melee attack rolls and a +6 morale bonus on melee damage rolls against the designated target for 1 round. Multiple successful shots fired at the same target do not increase the bonuses or their duration.
He wants to know if the archer making the Designating shot would be considered his own "Ally". The way I read it it's meant to be a helping enhancement and he would gain no benefit from it. Do you all agree?
I would agree that the archer in question wouldn't count as his own 'ally' for this ability.
There's a FAQ somewhere that says you count as your own ally "unless that doesn't make sense" (or some such wording).
I think it make sense that you would be able to gain the relevant bonus if you can find a way to hit someone with a ranged attack and a melee attack in the same round.
So I'd say "yes."
But it's also probably not work +4 because that's a rather difficult thing to set up. It's very expensive to put on (consumable) ammunition and most ranged weapons are two hands so you'd not be able to switch weapons conveniently.
http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9nda
Do you count as your own ally?
Thanks. "unless it would make no sense or be impossible."
It's obviously possible and sensible -- pull a shuriken out of your pocket, throw it, eat the AoO, then punch (eating another AoO).
Well, maybe not "sensible," but it at least is not nonsense. I still think it's poor tactics, but it violates no law of physics.
Yes, in this case you count as your own ally.
Throw a returning weapon with this property and then 5' step and melee attack the person.
Personally, I wouldn't take this property for that purpose but, you never know what odd builds people come up with. :)
- Gauss