Feat that allows Ranged AoOs? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Feat that allows Ranged AoOs? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dawnbringer
02-08-08, 02:10 PM Is there a feat that allows you to make ranged attack of opportunities?
BruteSquad01
02-08-08, 03:56 PM There is now!

Watchful Archer (General)

You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +4
Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon.
Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round.
You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense.
Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons.

A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats.
VulcanStormwrath
02-08-08, 06:47 PM Ready Shot. AoO vs a Charge. Adds Damage as well.Heroes of Battle
StevenO
02-08-08, 11:21 PM Is there a feat that allows you to make ranged attack of opportunities?
No.

If there was don't you think every archer build would have it? The homebrew feat sounds a lot like using a readied attack which could be triggered by "does something that would provoke an AoO if threatened."
BruteSquad01
02-08-08, 11:24 PM Except you can use it while using your normal ranged attacks. It may or may not be slightly broken, but I don't think it's too bad for coming up with it on the fly. I'll stick it on an NPC for my next session or something and see how it works out...
StevenO
02-09-08, 02:11 PM Broken may isn't a term I'd used to describe that feat but I would definitely give it unbalanced. For example if used against another archer you'd take all your normal attacks, then if he wanted to fire his bow at you that draws an AoO for each shot plus another AoO should he decide to move to cover; you'd need combat Reflexes to pull that off (and if you are an archer who makes ranged AoO you have the Dex to make it worth taking) but that would make it easier to get AoOs for things that would never take them otherwise.
Mr_Teapot
02-09-08, 03:27 PM There is now!

Watchful Archer (General)

You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +4
Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon.
Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round.
You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense.
Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons.

A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats.

I can't imagine making an archer build that doesn't have that feat if it is available, so I'd be leary of it, balance-wise. I would imagine other archers and mage-types would always be the ones targetted, which would maximize the feat's usefulness. Really easy prereqs for an archer, too.

But it illustrates pretty well how crazy ranged AoOs would be. Realize that making ranged AoOs would give you free attacks on every ranged attack, every spell and all movement. That's way more valuable than your typical feat. (Combat Reflexes is, of course, required, but every archer worth their salt will have the Dex to makes lots of AoOs once they have it.)
dawnbringer
02-09-08, 03:45 PM I actually really like the feat. I could see myself making a fighter with this and combat reflexes and the mage slayer (+ maybe other mage slayer feats) feat type of build.

The only downside to it is having to be within 30 feet, but it isn't that much of a downside.

Edit: It might be better if it required more pre-requisites.
Orenmir
02-09-08, 10:37 PM There is an official feat that grants ranged AoOs.... it's called Ranged Threat, and you can find it in Dragon Mag #350. The range is only 15', it has quite a few prereqs, and it depletes all of your remaining AoOs for the round.
StevenO
02-09-08, 10:57 PM A note on material from Dragon Magazine. While it may be "official" it usually needs to be taken with a few grains of salt. That is while some (even much) of it is balanced there are occasionally things that no sane DM should probably allow. I don't know what that feat is but it could be one of those.
Orenmir
02-09-08, 11:48 PM I don't want to post all the details about the feat (a breach of CoC policy). Suffice it to say, the prereqs are stiff enough to make Ranged Threat attainable only at high levels. The fact that using it will purge you of any remaining AoOs for the round is a big drawback. Plus, it only has a 15' range. Add all those up and it becomes rather balanced, IMO.
BruteSquad01
02-10-08, 12:18 AM Hmmm...

What if we bumped up the BAB requirement to, say, +8? Or higher?
And add DEX 17 as a requirement as well?

I totally overlooked the movement factor. I can see how that might be problematic.

Also, if two archers with this feat target each other, it creates a paradox, which I guess destroys the world, with no saving throw.
dawnbringer
02-10-08, 04:55 AM if 2 archers had the feat, it would continue going until one archer runs out of AoOs.

And i've posted feats on the forums before, as have other people. And no trouble has come of it at all.
Mr_Teapot
02-10-08, 10:27 AM Hmmm...

What if we bumped up the BAB requirement to, say, +8? Or higher?
And add DEX 17 as a requirement as well?

Both those are things an archer will get automatically (or nearly so), so it wouldn't really change anything except you pick it up at 9th level instead of 6th level. The prereqs for such a feat would need to be genuinely costly: feats that an archer wouldn't want to take, like how Dodge and Toughness qualify for a bunch of stuff.
dawnbringer
02-10-08, 11:16 AM What about making it require lots of feats like weapon supremacy does? That way, its quite a high level feat.
BruteSquad01
02-10-08, 11:41 AM OK, revised a bit...

Watchful Archer (General)

You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks.
Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Base Attack Bonus +8
Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon.
Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round.
You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense. If two characters target each other with this feat, both of those characters are prevented from gaining its benefits.

Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons.

A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats.
Ischtan
02-11-08, 10:14 AM It is not a feat, but will maybe help you:
The Arrow mind spell. It lets you threaten in your normal reach, you can make AoOs and don't receive AoOs because of using an bow in melee.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dawnbringer 02-08-08, 02:10 PM	Is there a feat that allows you to make ranged attack of opportunities?
BruteSquad01 02-08-08, 03:56 PM	There is now! Watchful Archer (General) You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks. Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +4 Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon. Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round. You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense. Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons. A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats.
VulcanStormwrath 02-08-08, 06:47 PM	Ready Shot. AoO vs a Charge. Adds Damage as well.Heroes of Battle
StevenO 02-08-08, 11:21 PM	Is there a feat that allows you to make ranged attack of opportunities? No. If there was don't you think every archer build would have it? The homebrew feat sounds a lot like using a readied attack which could be triggered by "does something that would provoke an AoO if threatened."
BruteSquad01 02-08-08, 11:24 PM	Except you can use it while using your normal ranged attacks. It may or may not be slightly broken, but I don't think it's too bad for coming up with it on the fly. I'll stick it on an NPC for my next session or something and see how it works out...
StevenO 02-09-08, 02:11 PM	Broken may isn't a term I'd used to describe that feat but I would definitely give it unbalanced. For example if used against another archer you'd take all your normal attacks, then if he wanted to fire his bow at you that draws an AoO for each shot plus another AoO should he decide to move to cover; you'd need combat Reflexes to pull that off (and if you are an archer who makes ranged AoO you have the Dex to make it worth taking) but that would make it easier to get AoOs for things that would never take them otherwise.
Mr_Teapot 02-09-08, 03:27 PM	There is now! Watchful Archer (General) You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks. Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Base Attack Bonus +4 Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon. Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round. You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense. Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons. A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats. I can't imagine making an archer build that doesn't have that feat if it is available, so I'd be leary of it, balance-wise. I would imagine other archers and mage-types would always be the ones targetted, which would maximize the feat's usefulness. Really easy prereqs for an archer, too. But it illustrates pretty well how crazy ranged AoOs would be. Realize that making ranged AoOs would give you free attacks on every ranged attack, every spell and all movement. That's way more valuable than your typical feat. (Combat Reflexes is, of course, required, but every archer worth their salt will have the Dex to makes lots of AoOs once they have it.)
dawnbringer 02-09-08, 03:45 PM	I actually really like the feat. I could see myself making a fighter with this and combat reflexes and the mage slayer (+ maybe other mage slayer feats) feat type of build. The only downside to it is having to be within 30 feet, but it isn't that much of a downside. Edit: It might be better if it required more pre-requisites.
Orenmir 02-09-08, 10:37 PM	There is an official feat that grants ranged AoOs.... it's called Ranged Threat, and you can find it in Dragon Mag #350. The range is only 15', it has quite a few prereqs, and it depletes all of your remaining AoOs for the round.
StevenO 02-09-08, 10:57 PM	A note on material from Dragon Magazine. While it may be "official" it usually needs to be taken with a few grains of salt. That is while some (even much) of it is balanced there are occasionally things that no sane DM should probably allow. I don't know what that feat is but it could be one of those.
Orenmir 02-09-08, 11:48 PM	I don't want to post all the details about the feat (a breach of CoC policy). Suffice it to say, the prereqs are stiff enough to make Ranged Threat attainable only at high levels. The fact that using it will purge you of any remaining AoOs for the round is a big drawback. Plus, it only has a 15' range. Add all those up and it becomes rather balanced, IMO.
BruteSquad01 02-10-08, 12:18 AM	Hmmm... What if we bumped up the BAB requirement to, say, +8? Or higher? And add DEX 17 as a requirement as well? I totally overlooked the movement factor. I can see how that might be problematic. Also, if two archers with this feat target each other, it creates a paradox, which I guess destroys the world, with no saving throw.
dawnbringer 02-10-08, 04:55 AM	if 2 archers had the feat, it would continue going until one archer runs out of AoOs. And i've posted feats on the forums before, as have other people. And no trouble has come of it at all.
Mr_Teapot 02-10-08, 10:27 AM	Hmmm... What if we bumped up the BAB requirement to, say, +8? Or higher? And add DEX 17 as a requirement as well? Both those are things an archer will get automatically (or nearly so), so it wouldn't really change anything except you pick it up at 9th level instead of 6th level. The prereqs for such a feat would need to be genuinely costly: feats that an archer wouldn't want to take, like how Dodge and Toughness qualify for a bunch of stuff.
dawnbringer 02-10-08, 11:16 AM	What about making it require lots of feats like weapon supremacy does? That way, its quite a high level feat.
BruteSquad01 02-10-08, 11:41 AM	OK, revised a bit... Watchful Archer (General) You are adept at noticing an opponent with his guard down, and can exploit his weakness even with ranged attacks. Prerequisites: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Quick Draw, Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Base Attack Bonus +8 Benefit: You may choose one opponent every round. You treat this opponent as threatened if you wield a ranged or thrown weapon, as long as he is within 30 ft. You can make Attacks of Opportunity against this opponent as if you threatened him with a melee weapon. Alternately, you may choose one square within 30 ft. and in your line of sight to threaten. You threaten that square and every square adjacent to it, but you cannot make Attacks of Opportunity against more than one opponent in those squares per round. You cannot use this feat if you yourself are in a threatened square. You cannot make melee attacks while using this feat. A knight character can use this feat with Bulwark of Defense. If two characters target each other with this feat, both of those characters are prevented from gaining its benefits. Normal: You can only threaten squares or make Attacks of Opportunity with melee weapons. A fighter may select Watchful Archer as one of his bonus feats.
Ischtan 02-11-08, 10:14 AM	It is not a feat, but will maybe help you: The Arrow mind spell. It lets you threaten in your normal reach, you can make AoOs and don't receive AoOs because of using an bow in melee.