A question of allies [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question of allies [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mirage_1
12-15-05, 11:28 AM When an enemy is in combat with an ally, you suffer a -4 penalty to hit them with a ranged attack unless if you have precise shot.

What if you have someone fighting on your enemy, but you really don't consider them an ally (sometimes the enemey of an enemy is not your friend).

for example. You see a worg and a dire wolf fighting. You think your in trouble regardless of who wins. Seeing the worg losing the fight, you decide to even the match a bit by hitting the wolf (hey, if your enemy is almost dead at the end of the fight, it is that much easier to kill).

Should you get a penalty to hit the wolf because you do not have precise shot? For the sake of argument, assume that they are sisde to side from your perspective, so no cover bonuses
Lord Herman
12-15-05, 11:33 AM You suffer a -4 penalty to hit because you're trying not to hit your ally. If you specifically want to target one of two enemies who are in melee, you'd get the same penalty. Otherwise, I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of hitting either of them.
Chobemaster
12-15-05, 11:35 AM You suffer a -4 penalty to hit because you're trying not to hit your ally. If you specifically want to target one of two enemies who are in melee, you'd get the same penalty. Otherwise, I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of hitting either of them.

I'd agree. Smart character would attack the stronger...if he's just taking the opportunity to damage WHOEVER, then no penalty.
Mirage_1
12-15-05, 12:57 PM jsut an idea (may be RAW for all I know).

Attack normally, if you hit, but would have missed with the penalty then you hit the wrong target.
Nom
12-15-05, 08:47 PM RAW don't cover this situation ("I don't care if it mis-hit").

Best house rule is to choose target, but assign the attack randomly (50-50 as Herman says). Then roll the attack normally. Obviously, you can't get sneak attack damage if you hit the unintended target.

Attack normally, if you hit, but would have missed with the penalty then you hit the wrong target.This house rule is reminscent of the optional rules for "accidentally hitting cover" (DMG pg 24). Both have serious mechanical flaws.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mirage_1 12-15-05, 11:28 AM	When an enemy is in combat with an ally, you suffer a -4 penalty to hit them with a ranged attack unless if you have precise shot. What if you have someone fighting on your enemy, but you really don't consider them an ally (sometimes the enemey of an enemy is not your friend). for example. You see a worg and a dire wolf fighting. You think your in trouble regardless of who wins. Seeing the worg losing the fight, you decide to even the match a bit by hitting the wolf (hey, if your enemy is almost dead at the end of the fight, it is that much easier to kill). Should you get a penalty to hit the wolf because you do not have precise shot? For the sake of argument, assume that they are sisde to side from your perspective, so no cover bonuses
Lord Herman 12-15-05, 11:33 AM	You suffer a -4 penalty to hit because you're trying not to hit your ally. If you specifically want to target one of two enemies who are in melee, you'd get the same penalty. Otherwise, I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of hitting either of them.
Chobemaster 12-15-05, 11:35 AM	You suffer a -4 penalty to hit because you're trying not to hit your ally. If you specifically want to target one of two enemies who are in melee, you'd get the same penalty. Otherwise, I'd say you have a 50-50 chance of hitting either of them. I'd agree. Smart character would attack the stronger...if he's just taking the opportunity to damage WHOEVER, then no penalty.
Mirage_1 12-15-05, 12:57 PM	jsut an idea (may be RAW for all I know). Attack normally, if you hit, but would have missed with the penalty then you hit the wrong target.
Nom 12-15-05, 08:47 PM	RAW don't cover this situation ("I don't care if it mis-hit"). Best house rule is to choose target, but assign the attack randomly (50-50 as Herman says). Then roll the attack normally. Obviously, you can't get sneak attack damage if you hit the unintended target. Attack normally, if you hit, but would have missed with the penalty then you hit the wrong target.This house rule is reminscent of the optional rules for "accidentally hitting cover" (DMG pg 24). Both have serious mechanical flaws.