Shooting Ranged Weapon into Melee - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Shooting Ranged Weapon into Melee

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Redbeard2
Oct 25, 2014 5:53:48
I'm unclear from the combat rules in the PHB about shooting a ranged weapon into melee.

Setup: a character is engaged in melee with a Kobold Pikeman. Behind the rank of Pikemen there is a rank Kobold's using slings.

From PHB 196, on cover the character gets a +2 to AC from the slinger to account for 1/2 cover provided by the Kobold Pikeman. Now comes the problem. How does the DM Adjudicate whether or not there is a chance the Slinger hits his own ally the Pikeman? Last week I ruled (and qualified it as temporary with the players) that if the slinger misses the character by 2 or less (the amount of the bonus in AC) that the slinger hits his own ally. If the slinger misses by more than 2 he misses both of them.

Does any one know a RAW on this, or have a better idea for determining the outcome?

Cheers,

Redbeard2

#2
thehobb
Oct 25, 2014 6:19:01
I'd say you arbitrated that fairly. If the target is harder to hit by 10% because an ally is in the way, then it makes sense that you'd have a 10% chance of hitting your ally which is what you effectively did.

#3
jarisfein
Oct 25, 2014 7:11:12
I tend to rule that if the Players are proficient with their weapons, then they only stand a chance of hitting a friendly target on a natural roll of "1". If the PC is not proficient with the weapon then they suffer Disadvange to hit. If the player misses their initial target wih Disadvantage, but the higher die roll would hit their ally in the way, then I declare "friendly-fire" on their ally. However, since their are no rules written, as of yet, to determine this situation, whatever you decide as a DM works in a pinch. Happy gaming!

#4
sleypy
Oct 25, 2014 7:33:51
That is how I would adjudicate it as well. It works okay for this situation, but really works out in situations like the BBEG using a hostage for a body shield.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Redbeard2 Oct 25, 2014 5:53:48	I'm unclear from the combat rules in the PHB about shooting a ranged weapon into melee. Setup: a character is engaged in melee with a Kobold Pikeman. Behind the rank of Pikemen there is a rank Kobold's using slings. From PHB 196, on cover the character gets a +2 to AC from the slinger to account for 1/2 cover provided by the Kobold Pikeman. Now comes the problem. How does the DM Adjudicate whether or not there is a chance the Slinger hits his own ally the Pikeman? Last week I ruled (and qualified it as temporary with the players) that if the slinger misses the character by 2 or less (the amount of the bonus in AC) that the slinger hits his own ally. If the slinger misses by more than 2 he misses both of them. Does any one know a RAW on this, or have a better idea for determining the outcome? Cheers, Redbeard2
#2 thehobb Oct 25, 2014 6:19:01	I'd say you arbitrated that fairly. If the target is harder to hit by 10% because an ally is in the way, then it makes sense that you'd have a 10% chance of hitting your ally which is what you effectively did.
#3 jarisfein Oct 25, 2014 7:11:12	I tend to rule that if the Players are proficient with their weapons, then they only stand a chance of hitting a friendly target on a natural roll of "1". If the PC is not proficient with the weapon then they suffer Disadvange to hit. If the player misses their initial target wih Disadvantage, but the higher die roll would hit their ally in the way, then I declare "friendly-fire" on their ally. However, since their are no rules written, as of yet, to determine this situation, whatever you decide as a DM works in a pinch. Happy gaming!
#4 sleypy Oct 25, 2014 7:33:51	That is how I would adjudicate it as well. It works okay for this situation, but really works out in situations like the BBEG using a hostage for a body shield.