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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 5723438" data-attributes="member: 19675">Which is why I use them before the foe closes to melee range.IME, it is the rare combat in which the sides start so close that I can't get one successful ranged attack in with a high-Dex PC.No. Get one in at range, drop & draw.  Like I said. That is ample range for getting in a good shot or 2 which may make the difference. Assuming we're still talking about a Str18 Dex18 fighter vs a Str18 Dex3 Fighter with identical HP and DPR, that extra 1d3 could be the difference in victory since its a "free" attack before they close to melee.  Since he has gotten extra damage in, he's going to win if he wins initiative (highly probable), and he's just increased the odds that he'll win if he loses initiative.To clarify: if the 2 warriors start off with DPR of 9 and 90 HP, the fight will be over on the 10th round of combat.  Assuming non-simultaneous initiative, the one who went first wins unless one has a way to get a short term boost in DPR.If, OTOH, the 2 warriors start off with DPR 9 and 92HP, the fight will be over in the 11th round of combat, with the one winning initiative winning just like the previous scenario.  If, however, there was one round of closing to melee in which one took 1d3 HP of damage from a ranged attack, possibly ending the combat in the 10th round, even if he lost initiative.  You go around, you give me a chance to put distance between you and me, and I have the advantage at range.  You're going to face flying cutlery from the table, more blinding projectiles, etc.  And if I get enough range, my dedicated throwing daggers come back into play.As for difficult terrain..."You want me dead, senor?  Then come, fight me along the parapet, you clumsy oaf!  Oh yes...don't look down..."If I suspect the only advantage my PC has is high-Dex- we are otherwise evenly matched- I'm going to do everything I can to maximize the time it takes you to close to melee.  I'll make you take a longer path.  I'll make you go through a field of marbles, caltrops or tanglefoot bags.  (My high-Dex PCs always have a way to control the battlespace.  Always.)And the longer you take to close, the more the odds shift inexorably in my favor.You charge?  I put an obstacle in your path you have to avoid or otherwise deal with, either preventing your straight line approach or making you have to make a Dex check. Hope you don't fall prone.  Oh wait...I want you to fall prone.!That's ridiculous on its face.If you lost initiative- as you probably have- and you get blinded, you're probably not landing a blow.  In addition, I'll get a +10% chance of hitting you since your AC will be worse (which is a statistical increase in DPR) and you can bet my PC won't be in front of you when your eyesight clears.  I could be behind you, or have used my movement to move away again (you can't take AoOs while blind), forcing Sir Stumblebum to have to close again.The high-Dex Ftr has something like 3-1 or 4-1 chance of winning the roll over the low-Dex Ftr.  I'd take that- that's better odds of victory than a typical "evenly matched" encounter.</blockquote>

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