Mounted combat with ranged touch attacks

[TranslucentDuck]

While I know a caster has to make a concentration check to cast during a mounts movement, I'm unsure if that same caster would have to take a penalty to hit for using a ranged weapon while using a ranged touch attack.

Can anyone give me an official ruling? Barring that, educated guesses would be welcome.

[Gullyble Dwarf - Lvl 7 DM]

Don't have the Core in front of me, but pretty sure yes, the penalties apply. In all cases I can think of ranged touch are considered ranged attacks just like their non-magical and non-touch counterparts. This is why you can apply feats designed for ranged weapons to touch and magical counterparts.

My buddy and I have a Half-Orc Barb/Gnome Alchemist Master-Blaster combo and have always assumed the riding penalties apply to his bombs. I see no reason it wouldn't apply to rays as well.

[TranslucentDuck]

Gullyble Dwarf - Lvl 7 DM wrote:

I see no reason it wouldn't apply to rays as well.

Thanks!

[Tykero]

Ranged attacks only take a penalty if the mount takes double or greater movement. If a mount moves no greater than its speed, a ranged attacker can attack without penalties, including a full attack.

Source: Core Rulebook, pg 202

"You can use ranged weapons while your mount is taking a
double move, but at a –4 penalty on the attack roll. You can
use ranged weapons while your mount is running (quadruple
speed) at a –8 penalty. In either case, you make the attack roll
when your mount has completed half its movement. You can
make a full attack with a ranged weapon while your mount is
moving. Likewise, you can take move actions normally."

[Wolfsnap]

There are some additional options for casters who spend a lot of time in the saddle in this book:

The Very Last Book About Mounted Combat

Including Horses with gentle gaits, special saddles, etc.