Prone vs adjacent ranged attack

[Mike..just_Mike]

RAW, the prone condition is straightforward... -4 to melee attacks, -4 ac vs melee, and +4 ac vs ranged attacks... but that doesn't really make sense when the guy with the gun is standing beside the helpless guy that just took a knee shot.

Of course house rules are always option but is there anything RAW that I'm missing?

Thanks

[Wesrolter]

The word helpless.
If they are truly helpless then its a coup de grace

As a full action, you can deliver a special attack called a coup
de grace to an adjacent helpless opponent. You automatically
hit and score a critical hit. If the target survives the damage,
he must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC = 10 + your
level or CR) or die. However, if the target is immune to critical
hits, the coup de grace does not deal critical damage or effects,
nor does it force the target to succeed at a saving throw or die.

If the guy is still able to defend themselves, someone flailing is still off putting if your adjacent. They can hit the barrel and such. They would also get a attack of opportunity.

Shooting someone isn't just hitting a static target, people can move and generally be a pain in the rear.

I have no actual combat experience, or experience with a gun so I really have no clue how easy it would be to get a pop shot at a target in any situation. This is purely just GM drivel I suppose.

So yeah, as RAW if the guy is not helpless and you are standing next to him, you still take a -4 to your ranged attack and would also provoke and AoO. If the guy is helpless however, just coup de grace his rear. (My first comment is just light hearted me poking a word)

[Metaphysician]

Yeah, the key is that helpless is only for people who *are* helpless. If the other guy can still take actions, they are not helpless, even if they are prone and you are next to them.

[E-div_drone]

RAW works exactly as Wesrolter described. I agree that it doesn't make much sense for an attacker at close range, but RAW doesn't allow for that. My suggestion for a house rule would be that someone within Point Blank Range (30 feet, as defined by Pathfinder) and with clear line of sight (so no intervening cover or other obstacles) is close enough to negate that bonus to AC. I would, however, say that if they are adjacent, the prone individual would still gain an AoO, with normal prone penalties, if they are not otherwise incapacitated, as per normal for making a ranged attack in melee range.