Arrow/bow that makes a line attack?

[Gadren]

I was hoping someone could help me. 4 years ago, I played an archer in a D&D campaign that could fire arrows through multiple opponents if they were in a straight line. The arrow used the same attack roll against each target, but at a stacking penalty (I believe -4) for each one in the line.

I don't remember if I did this with a feat, or spell, or magic item. I know it is NOT the feat from PHB2, because that uses separate attack rolls, and I remember using True Strike with the arrow penetration to deadly effect.

I know it as either in a WotC book or Dragon, as those were the only two sources the DM allowed.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

[Tovec]

Order of the Bow Initiate has something similar if not the exact thing you are describing. It was in Complete Warrior.

EDIT: Okay maybe not. I just double checked and didn't see it there. I'm going to do some digging. I played an OOBI [and] had that ability so I think I can find it.

Second EDIT: So I'm an idiot and after looking at Penetrating Shot (PHB 2 p.81) I think that is probably the feat I was thinking of. You don't remember anything else? What books do/did you have access to? Really any little details would help.

 

[Nezkrul]

Exit Wound ability from Complete Warrior, essentially turns your arrows into laserbeams - it attacks all creatures on the line of the attack so long as you keep hitting creatures from front to rear, each additional creature gets a +4 bonus cumulatively to its AC

Spell-Storing lets you put lightning bolt in the arrows

A third-party source has an epic feat that can be taken multiple times that lets you fire spells instead of arrows starting with 0 and 1st level spells and each time you take the feat its +1 level of spells - that you know, without using spell slots.

A different third-party source lets you build a spell or power into a bow so that it always does that spell or power instead of shooting an arrow (full attack with lightning bolt, for example)

 

[Greenfield]

Spell Storing may be an issue.

Technically it's a Weapon ability, not an Ammunition ability. There are separate tables in the books.

Even if you house rule that it can go into ammunition, it's still limited to targeted spells, not area of effect, like Lightning Bolt. So you might be able to add Scorching Ray to an arrow, but it would only target the first creature you hit.

 

[Gadren]

Exit Wound ability from Complete Warrior, essentially turns your arrows into laserbeams - it attacks all creatures on the line of the attack so long as you keep hitting creatures from front to rear, each additional creature gets a +4 bonus cumulatively to its AC

Spell-Storing lets you put lightning bolt in the arrows

A third-party source has an epic feat that can be taken multiple times that lets you fire spells instead of arrows starting with 0 and 1st level spells and each time you take the feat its +1 level of spells - that you know, without using spell slots.

A different third-party source lets you build a spell or power into a bow so that it always does that spell or power instead of shooting an arrow (full attack with lightning bolt, for example)

Ah hah! Exit wound! That was what I used. Quite potent when combined with quickened true strike and manyshot.

 

[Gadren]

Spell Storing may be an issue.

Technically it's a Weapon ability, not an Ammunition ability. There are separate tables in the books.

Even if you house rule that it can go into ammunition, it's still limited to targeted spells, not area of effect, like Lightning Bolt. So you might be able to add Scorching Ray to an arrow, but it would only target the first creature you hit.

Technically, not existing in the ranged table does not mean that ranged weapons can or can't be spell-storing by RAW. Those are random loot tables. NOWHERE does it say that only abilities on that table can be put in ranged weapons. Melee-only abilities should say "Only melee weapons can be [weapon property]", like Vicious.
That being said, despite it not being against RAW, spell-storing ammo is the most broken thing ever, and every DM that comes across it is forced to house rule. While a spell-storing bow isn't a problem, spell-storing arrows allow you to cast a bunch of attack spells ahead of time, each into a separate arrow, and then fire off a bunch in a round (5+ enervation spells, etc)

 

[Greenfield]

The actual description of the Spell Storing ability for a weapon says that the spell is released if the wielder chooses, upon a successful hit that does damage.

Ammunition has no "wielder" at the moment of impact. You wield the bow, but not the arrow. So while you might be able to rationalize spell storing arrows, they'd only release their magic if you held one and stabbed with it.

I've played characters who used spell storing arrows. It turns archery into artillery, and should only be allowed if the DM understands that, and that allowing it is a house rule, not really RAW.

BTW: Spell Storing in a weapon is limited to 3rd level spells. If I recall correctly, Enervation is 4th.

Sorry to be the continual wet blanket.

 

[Gadren]

The actual description of the Spell Storing ability for a weapon says that the spell is released if the wielder chooses, upon a successful hit that does damage.Ammunition has no "wielder" at the moment of impact. You wield the bow, but not the arrow. So while you might be able to rationalize spell storing arrows, they'd only release their magic if you held one and stabbed with it.I've played characters who used spell storing arrows. It turns archery into artillery, and should only be allowed if the DM understands that, and that allowing it is a house rule, not really RAW.

I disagree, but honestly we're getting off the original topic. You interpret the RAW however you want.

BTW: Spell Storing in a weapon is limited to 3rd level spells. If I recall correctly, Enervation is 4th.Sorry to be the continual wet blanket.

okay, well insert powerful third level spell where I said enervation, getting off that many spells in a round is still broken.

 

[Greenfield]

Let's consider the Penetrating Shot feat.

It allows a projectile weapon to do a line attack (60 feet), though you only get the one attack that round.

What happens if you have that feat, and are using a spell like Telekinesis to hurl the projectile? It becomes theoretically possible to do plot that line at just about any angle, instead of just in a straight line away from you.

Just contemplating a nasty combo for an NPC bad guy. And if the projectile is a magic axe with something like Vorpal on it? Uuuuugly!

 

[captnq]

A spell storing weapon allows a spellcaster to store a single targeted spell of up to 3rd level in the weapon. ... Any time the weapon strikes a creature and the creature takes damage from it, the weapon can immediately cast the spell on that creature as a free action if the wielder desires.

There is no doubt about the RAW here. This is a melee weapon only WSA. Furthermore, you cannot put them into arrows because arrows are not melee weapons, they are improvised melee weapons at best, ammunition at worst. You cannot put melee WSAs in a improvised weapon or ammunition.

An improvised weapon is something made up by a DM. It doesn't exist in RAW in any way shape or form. Even the suggested improvised weapon is just that, a suggestion. I cannot make a +1 acidic chair. I cannot make a +1 flaming cake, even if both could be improvised weapons, it must be an actual weapon to be enchanted.