Precise Shot-Cover V3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Precise Shot-Cover V3.5 [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ja411
03-06-07, 11:59 PM Hello, need some clarification please. I play a Ranger with Precise Shot. When I fire an arrow with my longbow at for example a hobgoblin in melee combat with my ally fighter friend the DM awards the hobgoblin with cover (+4 to its AC) because my fighter friend is in the way.
If my total attack roll hits the hobgoblin's AC, no problem.
But if I miss instead the DM calculates if my attack hits the ac of my ally(because he is the cover) and if it does then i have to roll damage on my ally.

Now page 140 of the PH3.5 says "If you shoot or throw a ranged weapon at a target engaged in melee with a friendly character you take a -4 penalty on your attack roll because you have to aim carefully to avoid hitting your friend"
"If you have precise shot feat you don't take this penalty"

My question is:
1st, does the hobgoblin get the cover?

2nd, If I am aiming(per the rule above) to not hit my fighter friend and im supposed to take a -4 for this NOT to happen(or not take the penalty with precise shot) then he should not be hit correct?
UnknownMourner
03-07-07, 12:57 AM Cover and the -4 for being in hand to hand are different, and stack.

You only negate the -4 for hand to hand.

The cover modifier (for something being in the line of sight) still applies.

If you draw line of sight through your ally's square, he's cover. If he's meleeing the hobgoblin, that's another -4 (but not for you because of your feat).
ibayboy
03-07-07, 01:05 AM My question is:
1st, does the hobgoblin get the cover?
Yes, the hobgoblin gets cover, unless you are in a position where there is a clear line of sight to the hobgoblin.

2nd, If I am aiming(per the rule above) to not hit my fighter friend and im supposed to take a -4 for this NOT to happen(or not take the penalty with precise shot) then he should not be hit correct?
No, you will never hit your ally by accident, if you take the -4 or have Precise shot. Unless he is grappling the hobgoblin, then it is a 50% chance of hitting your ally.
Improved Precise Shot removes this chance and any cover, except total cover, from whatever source.
nastynate
03-07-07, 01:33 AM There is an optional rule in the DMG about hitting interposing creatures when they stand between you and line of sight with the target of your ranged attacks. Perhaps your DM is using this optional rule. Ask him about it.

Mind you, I don't use it myself (as logical as it sounds) since it tends to screw the PCs far more often than it benefits them (such as when you are aiming for the evil wizard behind his blackguard henchman). Besides, a -8 penalty to hit is awful enough in my opinion.

-Peace-
Ja411
03-07-07, 09:52 AM thanks for all the help!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ja411 03-06-07, 11:59 PM	Hello, need some clarification please. I play a Ranger with Precise Shot. When I fire an arrow with my longbow at for example a hobgoblin in melee combat with my ally fighter friend the DM awards the hobgoblin with cover (+4 to its AC) because my fighter friend is in the way. If my total attack roll hits the hobgoblin's AC, no problem. But if I miss instead the DM calculates if my attack hits the ac of my ally(because he is the cover) and if it does then i have to roll damage on my ally. Now page 140 of the PH3.5 says "If you shoot or throw a ranged weapon at a target engaged in melee with a friendly character you take a -4 penalty on your attack roll because you have to aim carefully to avoid hitting your friend" "If you have precise shot feat you don't take this penalty" My question is: 1st, does the hobgoblin get the cover? 2nd, If I am aiming(per the rule above) to not hit my fighter friend and im supposed to take a -4 for this NOT to happen(or not take the penalty with precise shot) then he should not be hit correct?
UnknownMourner 03-07-07, 12:57 AM	Cover and the -4 for being in hand to hand are different, and stack. You only negate the -4 for hand to hand. The cover modifier (for something being in the line of sight) still applies. If you draw line of sight through your ally's square, he's cover. If he's meleeing the hobgoblin, that's another -4 (but not for you because of your feat).
ibayboy 03-07-07, 01:05 AM	My question is: 1st, does the hobgoblin get the cover? Yes, the hobgoblin gets cover, unless you are in a position where there is a clear line of sight to the hobgoblin. 2nd, If I am aiming(per the rule above) to not hit my fighter friend and im supposed to take a -4 for this NOT to happen(or not take the penalty with precise shot) then he should not be hit correct? No, you will never hit your ally by accident, if you take the -4 or have Precise shot. Unless he is grappling the hobgoblin, then it is a 50% chance of hitting your ally. Improved Precise Shot removes this chance and any cover, except total cover, from whatever source.
nastynate 03-07-07, 01:33 AM	There is an optional rule in the DMG about hitting interposing creatures when they stand between you and line of sight with the target of your ranged attacks. Perhaps your DM is using this optional rule. Ask him about it. Mind you, I don't use it myself (as logical as it sounds) since it tends to screw the PCs far more often than it benefits them (such as when you are aiming for the evil wizard behind his blackguard henchman). Besides, a -8 penalty to hit is awful enough in my opinion. -Peace-
Ja411 03-07-07, 09:52 AM	thanks for all the help!