Ranged Cover and Hallways / Walls

[Glorf Fei-Hung]

So, In a recent game I had an issue where my GM said that a ranged character was shooting through cover while standing directly behind an ally with an enemy about 20-30 further down but 5 ft to the side. In this scenario the Ranged Attacker had to 5' step from his original position. The GM ruled that to avoid cover from his allies He would have to move 10 feet to get in the direct line with the target. Everyone else agrees that the GM was wrong in this ruling. However as I've discussed this with other GM's using the Ogre vs Merisiel example in the CRB, an alternate ruling that is less clear comes up.

The issue is now dealing with lines that follow along a wall when trying to determine ranged cover as a result of the following Text "If any line from this corner to any corner of the target's square passes through a square or border that blocks line of effect".

Some are saying that since a wall blocks line of effect any line that goes along a wall is determined to provide cover (With a special exception for a 5' hallway where every corner that the attack originates from has to follow along a wall.) However this ruling would specifically counter the Diagram where Merisiel does not have Cover from the Ogre because in that instance the line to the bottom right corner of Merisiel's square would have to follow along a wall while Merisiel is not in a 5' hallway.

They are offering up knowledge of a post/ruling where this was established but are unable to provide information on where it actually is for anyone to find and verify.

Can anyone confirm or deny if a targeting line that follows along a wall (other than a 5'Hallway) would in fact provide ranged cover, AND also provide a link to the source that validates this?

Here is a Diagram of What is now in discussion. One side says since this is not a 5' Hall with a special exception T has cover from R. The other says since Merisiel would not have Cover from the Ogre, neither would T have cover from R. Additionally, even IF T would have cover from R, it should only be partial cover, as moving the targeting line a fraction of a degree off the wall would still include more than 50% of T in the targeting lines thus only provide +2 AC for partial cover.

R=Ranged Attacker, T=Target, O/Empty=Open Space, | or _=Walls
O|
R|_________
OOOOOOOT
O__________
O|
O|

[Alderic]

Pick the bottom left corner of the attacker square, run your lines, none cross borders or squares that block line of effect.
You quoted all that yourself. I wasn't even aware of a ruling about 5' hallways and would like to see that first.
Then whoever posted that should kindly tell us why moving a wall of a 5' hallway to make it 10' wide would suddenly make it harder to shoot an arrow to the other side.

[nosig]

from the PRD

Cover rules:

Cover

To determine whether your target has cover from your ranged attack, choose a corner of your square. If any line from this corner to any corner of the target's square passes through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover, or through a square occupied by a creature, the target has cover (+4 to AC).

When making a melee attack against an adjacent target, your target has cover if any line from any corner of your square to the target's square goes through a wall (including a low wall). When making a melee attack against a target that isn't adjacent to you (such as with a reach weapon), use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks.

and as far as I know, there is no "...special exception for a 5' hallway...". Where did you hear about one?

edit: OH! almost forgot. A line draw along a wall, does not pass thru it. So shooting down a 5' hallway does not pass "through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover", it merely passes along the wall, never crossing it.

[Chess Pwn]

R shooting T has no cover to deal with.
T shooting R has cover.

R picks bottom corner and draws a line to all of T's corners. Since none of them go through something that grants cover there is no cover. Running along a wall doesn't block anything. It's going through a wall that blocks line of effect.

[Glorf Fei-Hung]

nosig wrote:

and as far as I know, there is no "...special exception for a 5' hallway...". Where did you hear about one?

This was my question as well, they couldn't remember where it was, I'm hoping if anyone else has heard of it, they may be able to provide a source here!

nosig wrote:

edit: OH! almost forgot. A line draw along a wall, does not pass thru it. So shooting down a 5' hallway does not pass "through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover", it merely passes along the wall, never crossing it.

Personally I agree, determining cover where a line goes directly against a wall should not provide cover. However They claim there is an official post/faq somewhere that changes that with an exception for 5' halls because in a 5' hall every corner would have to follow along a length of wall. My goal here is to see if anyone can provide a link or description on where this mystery ruling can be found.

[Chess Pwn]

have them. If they are the ones saying there's official words to change what the book says it should be up to them to prove/provide it. Not yours to prove id doesn't exist.