D&D 3E/3.5 3.5 Deflect Arrows clarification

[MeepoTheMighty]

Given that there is an epic feat that includes all ranged attacks, i sort of assumed that it was simply arrows, bolts and the like, but most definately not siege weapons, ranged attack spells, alchemist's fire, or other oddities.

From the feat:

You must have at least one hand free (holding nothing) to use this feat. Once per round when you would normally be hit with a ranged weapon, you may deflect it so that you take no damage from it. You must be aware of the attack and not flatfooted. Attempting to deflect a ranged weapon doesn’t count as an action. Unusually massive ranged weapons and ranged attacks generated by spell effects can’t be deflected.

And from the info on splash weapons:

A splash weapon is a ranged weapon that breaks on impact, splashing or scattering its contents over its target and nearby creatures or objects.

I guess the only question is what "unusally massive" means, which is left pretty vague. I wouldn't count a vial of alchemist fire as "unusually massive," personally.

 

[Len]

Given that there is an epic feat that includes all ranged attacks, i sort of assumed that it was simply arrows, bolts and the like, but most definately not siege weapons, ranged attack spells, alchemist's fire, or other oddities.

What the epic feat Exceptional Deflection adds is the ability to deflect ranged-touch spells. The regular Deflect Arrows feat works on all ranged weapons, which includes alchemists fire.

I'd say that a ballista bolt is on the borderline for "unusually massive". Note that a ballista is like a huge heavy crossbow, so if you can't deflect that then you shouldn't be able to deflect arrows shot by huge creatures either.