Archery questions

[replicant2]

Two archery related questions...

Could a bow-wielding ranger theoretically never stop using his bow in melee combat? For example, could he take 5' steps away from his opponent, and continue to shoot without provoking an AoO?

What happens to the rapid shot feat when you gain enough levels and qualify for multiple attacks? Is the rapid shot a third attack, or can you make a rapid shot on each successive attack, thus doubling your attacks?

Thanks.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Could a bow-wielding ranger theoretically never stop using his bow in melee combat? For example, could he take 5' steps away from his opponent, and continue to shoot without provoking an AoO?

Assuming he doesn't hit a wall, or isn't tripped, grappled, disarmed, flanked, etc, etc, etc... sure.

What happens to the rapid shot feat when you gain enough levels and qualify for multiple attacks? Is the rapid shot a third attack, or can you make a rapid shot on each successive attack, thus doubling your attacks?

Rapid Shot gives you one extra attack in a Full Attack action.

If you have a BAB of +6, you can make two attacks (+6/+1), or use Rapid Shot for three attacks (+4/+4/-1).

-Hyp.

 

[Teslacoil1138]

You don't want to be taking 5' steps when facing a large or bigger creature. They have reach, so they'll get AoOs on you unless you're completely out of their threatened area. Besides, an archer's place is not in melee. Personally I always draw a melee weapon instead of using my bow if I'm engaged in melee by an enemy

 

[Li Shenron]

Could a bow-wielding ranger theoretically never stop using his bow in melee combat? For example, could he take 5' steps away from his opponent, and continue to shoot without provoking an AoO?

Well, there is no "minimum range" so you can keep shooting in any case... it will still be RANGED combat for him even if shooting from close. The 5ft step is the most common tactic for low-levels archers IMXP...

What happens to the rapid shot feat when you gain enough levels and qualify for multiple attacks? Is the rapid shot a third attack, or can you make a rapid shot on each successive attack, thus doubling your attacks?

What Hyp said Rapid Shot gives you 1 extra attack in the round, no matter how many attacks you have from your BAB: the extra attack is at your highest BAB, but all the attacks in this round take the -2 penalty if you use Rapid Shot.