Firing into Melee - Large Ally

[scholz]

So as I understand it, an archer can avoid the -4 penalty for firing into a melee, if the archer can aim at least 10ft away from an ally and still target the opponent.
So, if a medium human is adjacent to a large troll, and ally of the human can target the troll ten feet from the human without the penalty for firing into melee.

My question:
If the Large Troll is using its normal reach attack on the medium human 10feet away, can an ally of the Troll fire at the human without the penalty for firing into melee, since the human is 10ft from the troll (although the troll's limbs are able to affect the human)?

 

[Hypersmurf]

If the Large Troll is using its normal reach attack on the medium human 10feet away, can an ally of the Troll fire at the human without the penalty for firing into melee, since the human is 10ft from the troll (although the troll's limbs are able to affect the human)?

Cetainly. The target is at least ten feet away from your ally.

-Hyp.

 

[TheGogmagog]

Just to double check since this came up in our game this week: Would this rule also cover these two situations?

Two medium size creatures attacking each other with polearms (10' reach weapons). They would not be considered in melee for ranged attacks?

A medium size creature with a 5' reach adjacent to a Large creature with a 5' reach natuaral attack. The medium size creature would be in melee, but a non-adjacent portion of the large creature would not be in melee?

What book is this rule reference from?

 

[Deset Gled]

What book is this rule reference from?

From the SRD and PHB:

Shooting or Throwing into a Melee: 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. Two characters are engaged in melee if they are enemies of each other and either threatens the other. (An unconscious or otherwise immobilized character is not considered engaged unless he is actually being attacked.)

If your target (or the part of your target you’re aiming at, if it’s a big target) is at least 10 feet away from the nearest friendly character, you can avoid the –4 penalty, even if the creature you’re aiming at is engaged in melee with a friendly character.

Precise Shot: If you have the Precise Shot feat you don’t take this penalty.

 

[frankthedm]

Now if you fire at a square "not engaged in melee" of a larger creature, can the creatures other 'engaged in melee' squares give 'cover' to that engaged square?

See how the red line will pass through the engaged in melee squares?