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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Hawken" data-source="post: 3069781" data-attributes="member: 23619">#1: Actually, you should clarify your example to firing into melee where an ally is one of the combatants. If you are firing into melee where they are all enemies, its not going to matter who you hit unless you want to target a specific one.A seemingly sensible solution would be to use the concept of line of effect for targeting spells, except rename it to "line of fire", If you miss your intended target, the missile continues in a straight path until it strikes something of sufficient mass to stop it. If that mass is another combatant, then an attack roll is made against that new target. If you miss your enemy, the only chance you should have of hitting your ally is if he/she is occupying the same square as the enemy. Certainly, there would be exceptions, like for boomerangs, ammo or weapons enchanted to return, etc. But it feels like this is close to what you were shooting for, pardon the pun. Otherwise, with your missile 'attacking' a randomly determined target, the arrow in question could theoretically be all over the board 'bouncing' from one missed enemy to the next.#2: Regarding your reasoning, the reason why grabbing and drinking a potion produces an AoO is because you stop threatening your opponent (while rifling through your container, then popping down the drink), and in effect are not paying much attention at all to your own defense. However, for someone backing up and running off, the enemy won't realize they are no longer threatening until they are out of melee range and there's nothing they can do but give chase. To resolve the issue, I would suggest using a Bluff or Intimidate roll vs. the threatening enemy's Sense Motive. Success means they are able to withdraw with or without cover fire or assistance from allies. Failure means they may withdraw, but suffer an AoO. I think D20 Modern, SW D20 and M&M have rules for cover fire, so checking into those would be a good idea to see how to handle that option (if its not already covered in a D&D supplement somewhere). Instead of making an AoO, you could allow the enemy the option of immediately using their movement for the round (if they have not acted yet) to keep up with the fleeing character (and thus, continue to threaten them), which would either immediately start a chase scene or just spread combat out over a greater area. Requiring cover fire or assistance to escape a fight is not only unrealistic but puts an incredible burden on your PCs. It also entrenches them in the mode of fighting and never retreating since your rule seems to be tactically overbearing if not downright impossible if all people on one side are engaged. You should be careful though, PCs considering retreat are already at a considerable disadvantage, unless using the tactic to lure their enemies into a trap. While it may be more realistic to try to get them with that last parting shot, their egos are going to be bruised enough from having to retreat. I would suggest the equivalent of a 'slap on the wrist' if an AoO is provoked. Instead of dropping them or causing significant damage, this could herald the start of a potentially interesting chase scene and that kind of drama and excitement could help ease the sting (to their pride) from having to retreat in the first place.</blockquote>

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