Opportunity Attack / Longbow

[Infiniti2000]

Pardon these probably basic questions, but I'm still a little confused with leftover 3.X information in my head.

1. If I'm holding longbow in my hands, do I still threaten?
a.) Can I take an opportunity attack?
b.) If yes, can I use the bow as an improvised weapon or must I use an unarmed attack?

2. Do I offer flanking?

3. Are there any powers or items that allow using a longbow for an OA? (elf ranger, warlord multiclass feat, 2nd level right now)

 

[Turtlejay]

The Sharpshooter paragon path in Martial Power has such a feature at 11th level:

Opportunity Fire (11th level): You can use a bow
or a loaded crossbow to make opportunity attacks.
These attacks don’t provoke opportunity attacks.

As for your other questions, I guess so wrongly lately about these rules questions I'm not sure I'm playing the same game as everyone else, but I'd say no for just making OA's with the bow. You can always make an OA unarmed, and you don't need to threaten or anything.

I'm sure someone will come along and straighten my misconceptions up post haste.

Jay

 

[Infiniti2000]

I guess so wrongly lately about these rules questions ...

Me too, that's why I'm asking. I swear I look these things up, but maybe it's old age or something I keep missing the details in the books.

 

[Obryn]

Pardon these probably basic questions, but I'm still a little confused with leftover 3.X information in my head.

1. If I'm holding longbow in my hands, do I still threaten?
a.) Can I take an opportunity attack?
b.) If yes, can I use the bow as an improvised weapon or must I use an unarmed attack?

You have to be able to make a melee basic attack. I'd allow people armed with a longbow, or for that matter unarmed, to do so. I can't cite a rule for it, but as far as I'm concerned, dropping one hand off your longbow to backhand someone provoking an OA should be dandy. So, for that matter, should smacking them in the face with a magic longbow.

2. Do I offer flanking?

Yes.

Per the Compendium, you are flanking if you are adjacent to an enemy and able to attack. If you have a longbow (or even if you're unarmed and not stunned) you fit these conditions.

You will not provide flanking if you are not adjacent. Don't feel bad - neither will Joe the Polearm-Master.

3. Are there any powers or items that allow using a longbow for an OA? (elf ranger, warlord multiclass feat, 2nd level right now)

That one was answered, I think.

-O

 

[Infiniti2000]

Thanks! What are the prereq's for Sharpshooter? In the meantime, I'll try to convince everyone to "step-up" to Martial Power by the time we're 11th level.

 

[Mort_Q]

Thanks! What are the prereq's for Sharpshooter?

Ranger is the only prerequisite for the Sharpshooter PP.

1. If I'm holding longbow in my hands, do I still threaten?
a.) Can I take an opportunity attack?
b.) If yes, can I use the bow as an improvised weapon or must I use an unarmed attack?

By RAW, you are entitled to an OA unless you're unconscious or somesuch, and haven't already taken one for this opponent. You could use the bow as an improvised weapon, but that sucks (you don't get proficiency, or any enhancement bonuses), or make an unarmed attack.

You may want to consider the Deft Footwork (Dragon 368) feat, which allows you to shift rather than attack... it might be more useful until you get to level 11.

 

[Garthanos]

Superior weapon the battle bow may be used for ranged attacks or treated as a nice double axe in melee.... ok just made it up... but

http://th02.deviantart.net/fs11/300W/i/2006/195/b/7/Archer_girl_by_Roboto_kun.jpg

 

[Regicide]

1. If I'm holding longbow in my hands, do I still threaten?

No, but...

a.) Can I take an opportunity attack?

Yes, but...

b.) If yes, can I use the bow as an improvised weapon or must I use an unarmed attack?

No, neither. Not without special rules granting an exception or a 3rd arm. PG 215 PHB, ranged weapons explicitly can not be used as melee weapons, so you can not make a basic attack with them. Nor can you use your off-hand to make an unarmed attack since you're wielding a 2-handed weapon anymore than you can swing a sword while wielding a halberd.

2. Do I offer flanking?

Yes. The requirement of being able to attack them while adjacent isn't restricted to melee.

 

[Infiniti2000]

No, neither. Not without special rules granting an exception or a 3rd arm. PG 215 PHB, ranged weapons explicitly can not be used as melee weapons, so you can not make a basic attack with them. Nor can you use your off-hand to make an unarmed attack since you're wielding a 2-handed weapon anymore than you can swing a sword while wielding a halberd.

I'll leave the discussion of using a longbow as an improvised weapon (or not) to the other thread. No need to discuss it twice. But, are you saying that I can't kick or headbutt as an opportunity attack? Unarmed attacks are fists only?

 

[Regicide]

I'll leave the discussion of using a longbow as an improvised weapon (or not) to the other thread. No need to discuss it twice. But, are you saying that I can't kick or headbutt as an opportunity attack? Unarmed attacks are fists only?

Unarmed rules are not very well defined. Arguably since you have a weapon equipped, you can't make unarmed attacks, but most DMs will allow it despite how horribly ineffective it is.