Group actions and teamwork

[Greenfield]

We had a few situations come up in our last game session that I'd like some advice on.

Facing some flying opponents (Harpy Archers re-skinned as "Flying Monkeys"), one PC set up an Obscuring Mist spell. Every now and then a PC would step out to take a shot or whatever.

The question is, if I have seven flying monkeys, do I roll seven separate SPOT/Perception checks, or should I roll a single one for the group and add some Aid Another bonuses? If so, how many?

Next question, a PC is down, filled with arrows from said Flying Monkeys (hey, those things deserve their CR 11 rating). A friend declares that they're defending their friend.

Obviously they can provide some cover, and they can Aid Another in defense. That would give a total of a +4 to their effective AC.

Can they themselves go "Full Defense" while doing this?

Are there any other AC adjustments that you'd allow/apply?

Note: The Harpy Archers are listed as having Magical +2/Mighty +2 longbows with Cold, so they do an average of 12 per hit. At +23 to hit, with seven of them shooting once per round at the same target, they can drop a level 12 PC in two or three rounds, without ever coming into melee range, and without bunching up into a nice neat fireball pattern.

Delightfully nasty.

 

[JypsRidic]

If I were you, I would get really annoyed really quickly with making individual checks for each monkey and I would just give them all a number 1-7 to identify them with then roll once and add their number to the die roll, going over 20 wraps around to 1, to simulate a batch of rolls.
Or just do one check for them all and if it fails none of them saw the PC and if succeeds pick a couple and say they saw the PC, or if they really really succeed let them all see.

As for the defending your ally, since that is an active activity I would give the cover bonus and if the enemy still hits the defender can make a reflex save to get in the way then adjudicate the attack against them instead, maybe deny their dex bonus to AC since getting out of the way would be bad.

 

[SteelFalcon0131]

If I were you, I would get really annoyed really quickly with making individual checks for each monkey and I would just give them all a number 1-7 to identify them with then roll once and add their number to the die roll, going over 20 wraps around to 1, to simulate a batch of rolls.
Or just do one check for them all and if it fails none of them saw the PC and if succeeds pick a couple and say they saw the PC, or if they really really succeed let them all see.

As for the defending your ally, since that is an active activity I would give the cover bonus and if the enemy still hits the defender can make a reflex save to get in the way then adjudicate the attack against them instead, maybe deny their dex bonus to AC since getting out of the way would be bad.

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