Flanking bonus from Ranger with bow in melee

[J S 825]

A few question about flanking.

A barbarian armed with a great axe wants to flank an enemy with a ranger using only a bow and his bare hands. The barbarian wants to gain flanking from the ranger with the bow (ranger is in melee) saying that using the bow as an improvised melee weapon, the ranger with the bow threatens the square the enemy is in.

1.Because the ranger is in melee with a bow, does using the bow as an improvised melee weapon allow the barbarian a +2 flanking bonus?

2.The ranger is human, so kicking, punching, head bunting etc. is not considered armed. The ranger cannot use am unarmed strike to threaten the square and grant flanking to the barbarian. Is this correct?

3.Can the ranger as a free action hold the bow in one hand, draw an arrow as a free action and use the arrow as a improvised melee weapon instead to threaten the square?

4.Would a spiked gauntlet allow the bow to be held one handed as a free action and threaten the square with the spiked gauntlet for the barbarian to gain flanking as the ranger is now armed with a melee weapon?

The barbarian really wanted to gain flanking and had some great questions. lol

[My Self]

1. Has the ranger been using the bow as an improvised melee weapon? If so, then sure, let him get the flanking bonus. If he's just been shooting it normally, then no.

2. The ranger's unarmed strike does not threaten for those purposes.

3. Yes. But those actions must be taken on his turn, as per normal for free actions.

4. Pretty much. Though depends on your GM's rulings about having an open hand while using a bow.

[Claxon]

If the ranger is using the bow as an improvised weapon then yes, if he's using it as a bow then.

Unarmed strikes do not threaten without Improved Unarmed Strike, which the ranger probably doesn't have.

Drawing an arrow as ammunition is a free action, not sure if it's a free action to draw it as a melee weapon.

Yes, ultimately the easiest thing to do is wear medium armor (which has gauntlets) or to buy a gauntlet or spiked gauntlet which would allow the ranger to threaten. Armor spikes would work equally well.

[ShieldLawrence]

3. Its a free action to hold it in one hand but a move action to draw an arrow as a weapon like object. This action is reduced when drawing an arrow for use with a bow.

Combat Section wrote:

Drawing ammunition for use with a ranged weapon (such as arrows, bolts, sling bullets, or shuriken) is a free action.

[alexd1976]

Armor spikes for the Ranger. Problem solved.

[kinevon]

The Snap Shot feat would also work, until the Ranger uses up his AoO(s).