Interpretation of rules

[IcyCool]

So. Do I have this right?
1) You always get the -4 if shooting into a melee of two or more.
2) You can NOT hit your ally, unless he is in some way between you and your target, =(cover).
3) You always get the -4 and still have a chance of hitting an ally in a grapple.

1) Yes, unless you have the precise shot feat.
2) No, unless you are using the variant rule "Striking Cover"
3) Yes, unless you have the precise shot feat, which negates the -4, but not the chance to hit your ally (only in with a ranged weapon, you have no chance of striking your ally in a grapple with a melee attack).

 

[RIPnogarD]

Thank's to all for the quick reply!

 

[IcyCool]

Thank's to all for the quick reply!

Note that your ally could also be providing cover to the enemy, which would grant the enemy a cover bonus to its AC. This cover bonus isn't negated by precise shot.

 

[kanithardm]

I use the 3.0 version of the rule. If you miss cause somethins in the way, you tend to hit the freakin thing in the way!!!!

 

[Zandel]

I missed that rule update in V3.5. In 3.0 you took the -4 with no choice and if you missed you did the math. If you would have hit the target without the -4 then you hit your ally instead.

 

[jigokusabre]

Alternate Rules

An alternate rule used at tables I play at, is that on a natural 1, you threaten to hit another character adjecent to the intended target.

I play it a little different. There is a threat range based on how many characters are in melee with the intended target. If you miss with a roll equal to the number of allies in melee with the intended target, you threaten to hit one of those allies.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Note that your ally could also be providing cover to the enemy, which would grant the enemy a cover bonus to its AC. This cover bonus isn't negated by precise shot.

But is negated by Improved Precise Shot.

 

[Legildur]

And the Sharp Shooting feat from Complete Warrior reduces the cover bonus to AC.

I have a human Ranger1/Fighter2 with Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow), Precise Shot, and Sharp Shooting.

The last two feats seemed no-brainers when he spends a significant amount of his time firing into melee through allies' squares - they significantly increase his attack bonus in those situations.

 

[dcollins]

I missed that rule update in V3.5. In 3.0 you took the -4 with no choice and if you missed you did the math. If you would have hit the target without the -4 then you hit your ally instead.

Actually, I'm afraid you're confusing two separate penalties:
(1) -4 for shooting into melee, and another
(2) -4 for shooting past cover. In 3.0 and variant 3.5 this part can cause striking the ally.

This is very nicely laid out in the diagram on 3.0 PHB p. 123.

 

[Zandel]

Really? dam well haven't read 3.0 for over 6 months so understandable.