Shooting ray spells into melee [Archive] - Wizards Community

Shooting ray spells into melee [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Axiomatic_vampire
06-06-07, 02:27 AM I don't think precise shot works to negate the -4 penalty, is there a feat specific to ray spells that does?
Kouk
06-06-07, 02:40 AM It does work. The rules imply it fairly heavily, as rays are "ranged weapons" (weapon-like spells) but the Complete Arcane book spells it out clearly.

You could also use Point Blank Shot (the extra damage doesn't apply if the spell does not deal damage), and Weapon Focus: Ranged Spells for rays or otherwise.
ibayboy
06-06-07, 02:43 AM My Warmage suffers from not having it, all the time.:weep:
Axiomatic_vampire
06-06-07, 03:54 AM It does work. The rules imply it fairly heavily, as rays are "ranged weapons" (weapon-like spells) but the Complete Arcane book spells it out clearly.

You could also use Point Blank Shot (the extra damage doesn't apply if the spell does not deal damage), and Weapon Focus: Ranged Spells for rays or otherwise.

I was hoping for something a little less two-featy. I always have that big goofey maximised-enervate-to-your-face grin on my face, and it goes so wrong when it misses.
Kouk
06-06-07, 04:01 AM Point Blank and Precise Shot aren't total wastes though, you should always have a good ranged weapon for when you are out of spells, or they don't work.

Alternatively, you can cast True Strike, or get the True Strike Gauntlets from the MIC (which give you 1/day True Strike).
Novacat
06-06-07, 09:15 AM I was hoping for something a little less two-featy. I always have that big goofey maximised-enervate-to-your-face grin on my face, and it goes so wrong when it misses.
It sounds like your DM runs miss-by-cover rules, which is a horrible idea. In that situation, if you're not gonna take the two feats, I would abstain from ranged touch spell into melee situations altogether.
Salla
06-06-07, 09:16 AM The other things to consider:

1. You're usually shooting at a Touch AC, which are typically pathetically low in comparison to a regular AC, so that -4 to hit isn't THAT huge a problem, and

2. The rules for striking the ally your target in melee with no longer exist, meaning that isn't a possibility, so your friends aren't in danger from your rays.

I've never felt the need to take PB Shot/Precise Shot with an arcanist before unless it was required for something else, myself. :)
Vegepygmy
06-06-07, 12:53 PM I've never felt the need to take PB Shot/Precise Shot with an arcanist before unless it was required for something else, myself.I wouldn't go so far as to say I've felt any need for my arcanists to take PBS+PS, but I will say that I've never regretted them doing so. :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Axiomatic_vampire 06-06-07, 02:27 AM	I don't think precise shot works to negate the -4 penalty, is there a feat specific to ray spells that does?
Kouk 06-06-07, 02:40 AM	It does work. The rules imply it fairly heavily, as rays are "ranged weapons" (weapon-like spells) but the Complete Arcane book spells it out clearly. You could also use Point Blank Shot (the extra damage doesn't apply if the spell does not deal damage), and Weapon Focus: Ranged Spells for rays or otherwise.
ibayboy 06-06-07, 02:43 AM	My Warmage suffers from not having it, all the time.:weep:
Axiomatic_vampire 06-06-07, 03:54 AM	It does work. The rules imply it fairly heavily, as rays are "ranged weapons" (weapon-like spells) but the Complete Arcane book spells it out clearly. You could also use Point Blank Shot (the extra damage doesn't apply if the spell does not deal damage), and Weapon Focus: Ranged Spells for rays or otherwise. I was hoping for something a little less two-featy. I always have that big goofey maximised-enervate-to-your-face grin on my face, and it goes so wrong when it misses.
Kouk 06-06-07, 04:01 AM	Point Blank and Precise Shot aren't total wastes though, you should always have a good ranged weapon for when you are out of spells, or they don't work. Alternatively, you can cast True Strike, or get the True Strike Gauntlets from the MIC (which give you 1/day True Strike).
Novacat 06-06-07, 09:15 AM	I was hoping for something a little less two-featy. I always have that big goofey maximised-enervate-to-your-face grin on my face, and it goes so wrong when it misses. It sounds like your DM runs miss-by-cover rules, which is a horrible idea. In that situation, if you're not gonna take the two feats, I would abstain from ranged touch spell into melee situations altogether.
Salla 06-06-07, 09:16 AM	The other things to consider: 1. You're usually shooting at a Touch AC, which are typically pathetically low in comparison to a regular AC, so that -4 to hit isn't THAT huge a problem, and 2. The rules for striking the ally your target in melee with no longer exist, meaning that isn't a possibility, so your friends aren't in danger from your rays. I've never felt the need to take PB Shot/Precise Shot with an arcanist before unless it was required for something else, myself. :)
Vegepygmy 06-06-07, 12:53 PM	I've never felt the need to take PB Shot/Precise Shot with an arcanist before unless it was required for something else, myself.I wouldn't go so far as to say I've felt any need for my arcanists to take PBS+PS, but I will say that I've never regretted them doing so. :)