Ranged Fighting w Cover

[Crexis]

Say I have an archer type character. I have the precise shot feat. If there an ally in between you and the enemy you want to shoot.

Do you still take any penalties to your ranged bow attack attempt?

[dragonhunterq]

Maybe, but Precise Shot will not affect whether you do or don't. Precise Shot does not remove the effects of cover, so it has no effect in this situation.

[Crexis]

I been reading some threads about cover and it seems confusing. My ranger gets improved precise shot at level 6 but even then I'd have to make sure my ally isnt in front of me between the enemy and myself otherwise I'll still take a -4 to my attack roll.

It shouldn't be so hard to figure this out, yet I'm having issues wrapping my head around this concept/ruling.

[Pizza Lord]

Your ally still provides cover. You only negate the penalty for firing into melee (with an an ally). At least it won't be at a –8 (–4 to hit and a +4 to the target's AC, technically).

With Improved Precise Shot you negate cover and concealment except for total cover and concealment. The cover from a creature between you and your target (friend or foe) is not total cover, so at 6th level you should be able to fire into melee regardless of if your ally is engaged and from whatever position you wish.