Arcane Archer and Phase Arrow...

[Arravis]

Ok...
so what happens that if earlier in the day you met the leader of the orc tribe, and hours later you come across their village. If all you see is 20 tents and if all of them are within bow-range, will your arrow instantly go to the leader of the orc tribe?

This could be handy in assassinating world-leaders.

 

[AuraSeer]

Ok...
so what happens that if earlier in the day you met the leader of the orc tribe, and hours later you come across their village. If all you see is 20 tents and if all of them are within bow-range, will your arrow instantly go to the leader of the orc tribe?

Yes. If you would recognize the leader by sight, then your arrow will know which tent to go to. If the leader happens to be away on a hunting trip and is therefore out of range, your arrow flies off in some random direction, and all your friends laugh at you.

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This could be handy in assassinating world-leaders.

Only if those "world leaders" are uncommonly puny. How often does a single arrow-shot in D&D kill anyone above first level?

If the arcane archer is 10th level, then you're right, it would be easy to try and kill someone with a Phase Death Arrow. But by that level, as hong points out, there are a hundred other sneaky ways to assassinate somebody. Besides, even if your target lacks defenses and fails his DC 20 save, a simple Resurrection spell will have him back on his feet.

 

[Arravis]

I just can't imagine that's the "spirit" of the power, it's written vaguely and it could be interperted the way you say, it just doesn't seem like it's correct to the intent. The description of the power would likely be alot longer and much more detailed if it were so, I think.

A world leader doesn't have tobe 20th lvl, most actually aren't, and I suspect more then one is no higher then 1-2nd lvl.

 

[AuraSeer]

Well, since you're absolutely certain it doesn't work this way, why did you even ask? If you have an interpretation that makes more sense, please share it with the rest of the class.

Compared to other abilities available at the same level, my interpretation of Phase Arrow does not seem overpowered. If it required line-of-sight, or knowledge of the exact target square, then it would seem somewhat underpowered. Keep in mind that this ability becomes available at what, 12th character level? Characters at that level are supposed to be powerful.

A world leader doesn't have tobe 20th lvl, most actually aren't, and I suspect more then one is no higher then 1-2nd lvl.

This is really beside the point, but I never said or implied that a leader must be 20th level. Anyway, you do realize that a 1st-level character is basically an adolescent? Even commoners gain levels and hit points throughout their lives. A high-ranking noble may not spend his vacation fighting dragons, but he'll certainly face more challenges (and thus level more quickly) than your average plow-pusher. Maybe a young king will ascend the throne as a 1st-level aristocrat, but it certainly won't be a common occurrence.

 

[Arravis]

I simply thought that the spell got rid of concealment, etc... if the target is behind 90% cover, etc. That is what's mentioned in the description, not the idea that he might be within a large structure and his exact location wholy unknown to you.

But perhaps you are correct, it just doesn't fit the standard form. If it were that level of power, it would go into much more detail, I would think.

 

[Arravis]

Additionally, if the arrow 'magically' knows the location, is this via divination? Would Mind Blank protect you from this ability? Would you be protected if you were in a anti-magic field or aura? Could it even attempt to track you in an anti-magic aura? What counts as known? Seeing someone once? What if two people look similar and all you got was a glimpse? Say two assassins dressed exactly the same that you only saw for a split second... would the ability work on them? Do you "know" them?

 

[Arravis]

Anyone have any guesses if Mind Blank would protect you from this or not? This would seem to complicate things quite a bit and opens up a rather large can of worms if it's the only magical means of locating someone that has no chance of being negated.

 

[SpikeyFreak]

Yes. If you would recognize the leader by sight, then your arrow will know which tent to go to. If the leader happens to be away on a hunting trip and is therefore out of range, your arrow flies off in some random direction, and all your friends laugh at you.

Okay, if the arrow is so frelling smart, why do you have to make an attack roll? And why is it at your BAB and not the arrows, since the arrow is deciding on the direction it wants to go, and escpeically since you don't even have to shoot in the direction of the target.

Going by what you people are saying, you wouldn't even have to know if someone is there. As long as you "know" them, you just fire and the arrow will find them if they are in range.

IMHO, that's not the intent of the ability. It negates cover and concealment. Thats it.

--Amazed Spikey

 

[Arravis]

I'm glad someone agrees with me. I'm actually surprised so many of you have given it this pretty wondrous abilities when it would normally have gone into a much more detailed description if it had. Perhaps it's just me.

 

[rendarkin]

From the SRD:

Seeker Arrow: At 4th level, the arcane archer can launch an arrow once per day at a target known to her within range, and the arrow travels to the target, even around corners. Only an unavoidable obstacle or the end of the arrow’s range prevents the arrow’s flight. This ability negates cover and concealment modifiers, but otherwise the attack is rolled normally. This is a spell-like ability. (Shooting the arrow is part of the action.)

Phase Arrow: At 6th level, the arcane archer can launch an arrow once per day at a target known to her within range, and the arrow travels to the target in a straight path, passing through any nonmagical barrier or wall in its way. (A wall of force, a wall of fire, or the like stops the arrow.) This ability negates cover, concealment, and even armor modifiers, but otherwise the attack is rolled normally. This is a spell-like ability. (Shooting the arrow is part of the action.)

The Seeker Arrow even turns corners! Man, I'll be very few people can see around a corner. My take, looking at the descriptions, is that Phase Arrow is like Seeker Arrow, but better. It says it goes through WALLS, and I'll bet less people can see through walls than around corners. I vote for "I shoot at Bob in that tavern! I know he's there" and, once per day, the Arcane Archer can do it. I agree the ability has a horrid description, but I don't see it as worse than a Disintegrate spell, myself...