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Message: <blockquote data-quote="shurai" data-source="post: 848836">About the 5' step that archers can take to get their full attack:Everybody assumes that the 5' step is just a given, that it always works for the archer and will always result in a full attack with no Attacks of Opportunity, but that is sadly not the case.  It needs to be remembered that in every case beyond the one that's good for archers, a meleeist gets an extra attack from an AoO.Fights often happen in confined spaces, such that the meleeist can close with, give chase, and  then corner the archer, or at least put them in a place where the 5' step won't save them.  This isn't that hard.Second, it only takes two or three enemies to make it impossible for the archer to get a 5' step that saves him from AoOs.  If you can imagine two opponents flanking the archer, you'll see that there's no 5' step he can take that will make him avoid all the possible AoOs.  With walls, other party members and other obstructions it's even worse.People usually talk about a fighter vs. an archer, but if you could imagine two-on-two, things can get a little ugly, thanks to things like flanking.Third, as others have mentioned, there's similar problems with enemies with reach, too.Fourth, never underestimate the tactical utility of claiming territory.  The archer really only claims the space he's standing in, and even then it's fairly easy to move him around while he can't control other folks in his area very well.  The swordsman can claim eight times more space (the surrounding squares), and can perform all sorts of useful interception work against the folks trying to come after the party mage (or archer for that matter).Letting the archer always have the 5' step in the analysis isn't just a bad idea, it's downright goofy.  It's like comparing fighters to wizards and always letting the wizard have the 5' step to cast a spell.  It's true that archers often will be able to step away and shoot, but the archer can only do this so many times before their backs are to a wall, and then the fighter gets his full attack and an attack of opportunity every round.If you ask me, all this prestige class nonsense isn't an archer balance issue; instead it's a retarded prestige class issue.  Jeebus, it's like complaining about exotic weapons being broken by using pre-errata Mercurial Greatswords as the example.</blockquote>

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