Just started learning the 2e rules, and I have some questions around Ranged combat.
1) Is there no Ranged into Melee penalty anymore? I only see penalties that would apply to cover for not having a clear shot.
2) With the removal of most attacks of opportunity, is there no penalty for using ranged weapons in melee? I don't see a point blank shot feat anymore ..
1) Correct. The cover rules are on page 477 of the rulebook. In summary, having a creature is +1 circumstance bonus to AC, Stealth, and Reflex saves. Having terrain is either +2 or +4 for greater cover. And you can use an action in normal cover (+2) to make it greater cover (+4.)
2) Correct.
Point Blank Shot is still a feat, to add--it's a 1st-level Fighter stance
I think there's also a fighter feat that lets you not provoke with ranged attacks.
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Overall, Ranged Combat has been nerfed significantly in this edition:
- The Volley trait on Longbows and Composite Longbows keeps them mostly out of play for PCs, so 1d6 short bows are the typical 'weapon of choice.'
- The Propulsive trait limits you to only half your strength bonus to damage with the appropriate weapons, so melee characters will generally do more damage.
- The Reload rules make Crossbows and Slings significantly slower than Bows.
- The Precious Material Weapon rules make Silver and Cold Iron projectiles rather expensive (40gp for 10 low grade projectiles, which is the rough equivalent of 400gp in PF1).
I would also note that the 3 action system and the removal of BAB attacks does devalue Ranged combat quite significantly over 1st edition. One of the greatest benefits of ranged combat in 1ed in my opinion was virtually always being able to use a Full Attack. Now a melee martial character has more leeway in engaging their opponents and leveraging their attacks effectively in the earlier turns of combat.
That isn't to say that an archer isn't capable of putting out as many or more attacks than a melee character, but as Taja pointed out a melee martial's attacks will generally hurt more and once they engage they will be striking just as much as a ranged character. Ranged characters just don't have as much of an inbuilt action advantage anymore.
Ranged characters just don't have as much of an inbuilt action advantage anymore.
Which is a good thing. Archery is still "viable", but it doesn't outshine melee attacks like it did if PF1.
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I think there's also a fighter feat that lets you not provoke with ranged attacks.Interesting, i didn't see it there.
I was looking for it under Ranger.
Fighter feats are largely where you see the fancy weapon tricks like that. Ranger feats have less flair, though IMO they are no less effective. We have a ranger archer in our level 12 campaign and her DPR is great. And the critical specialization is really good even when the enemies hit the point where they autosuceed on the athletics check to remove them because it costs actions to do so.
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Oh, right, thanks for that.