What good is a "ranged basic" attack?

[zlorf]

Such as OA's ..right?

Cheers
Z

There are actually several powers that force you to take basic attacks, I omitted them because they are usually not what you want to do...

Confusion for example.

 

[Contents May Vary]

Such as OA's ..right?Z

OA is melee only, not ranged.

 

[Frumious]

There are powers is a power that other players can use that grant a free immediate "ranged basic" attack to allies in range. There are also items the key to "ranged basic" attack.

• Stir the Hornet’s Nest (War 25)
• Bracers of the Perfect Shot (Item)

I suspect there are more to come.

And sooner than you'd think!

This ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/drfe/20080618 ) new Dragon article on the Wolves of Maldeen has a new Paragon Path Encounter power that allows basic attacks from an ally within 5 squares.

 

[Wepwawet]

OA is melee only, not ranged.

Really?
I just assumed that a Warlock could use Eldritch blast for an OA (then again, I haven't read all the rules)
It's not possible then, correct?

 

[WOLead]

Don't forget this also allows Magic Missile and Eldritch Blast to take advantage of Bracers of the Perfect Shot. Extra damage onto either MM or EB is a nice thing to have, giving it a reason to be used over the other At-Wills a Wizard or Warlock may have.

 

[Contents May Vary]

Really?
I just assumed that a Warlock could use Eldritch blast for an OA (then again, I haven't read all the rules)
It's not possible then, correct?

'Fraid so. Page 290, right hand column: "An opportunity attack is a
melee basic attack (page 287)."

 

[Argyuile]

If you don't have an at will ability that is ranged. Ranged basic attack my be your only way to attack at range.