Deflect Arrows

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Completely neutralize?

The entire combat?

With an ability that blocks one shot per round?

Name an archery-focused PC who doesn't have a means to toss out at least two attacks per round. Name a ranged combat-focused group who doesn't have at least two attacking characters.

 

[werk]

Opposed attack rolls with what? What does the defender 'attack' with? So, Dex has nothing at all to do with deflecting arrows?

Seems like deflecting arrows should be similar, if harder, than the mechanic for disarm, grabbing an item.

So the deflector is basically making an attack against the attack...kinda like kenpo.

 

[brehobit]

While we are talking house rules how about this:
Make a reflex save as follows:
Thrown weapon: DC 10+weapon attack enhancement bonus
Fired weapon: DC 15+weapon attack enhancement bonus
Spell which fires "real" component*: DC=20+2*spell level
You get a cumlative +5 DC for each thing you try to deflect in a round after the first.

* Any spell which does damage and doesn't allow a save has a "real" component for this purpose.

This makes it possible to fail a block, thus weakening the feat. But it allows more than one block and allows spells and spell-effects to be blocked, making it much better. Plus it adds a bit of balance to those wacky orb spells and other no-SR conjurations. It does mean that a master archer or a begining archer are equally easy to block, but I think an arrow is an arrow (unless its magic). Maybe subtract range penalties from the DC?

Thoughts?

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Thats a 33 damage (average) dagger he deflected, with no save needed. Being able to do something difficult 100% of the time doesn't make sense.

But you're okay with the 2nd-level spell, Protection from Arrows?

 

[Shape D.]

But you're okay with the 2nd-level spell, Protection from Arrows?

Yes, Its a different function. The wizard in question isn't physically blocking it a spell is providing damage reduction 10/magic. If you do more than 10pts of damage he still takes some. And if your using magical weapons it doesn't apply. Also once the spell reduces 10 damage/level the spell is discharged.

The warded creature gains resistance to ranged weapons. The subject gains damage reduction 10/magic against ranged weapons. (This spell doesn’t grant you the ability to damage creatures with similar damage reduction.) Once the spell has prevented a total of 10 points of damage per caster level (maximum 100 points), it is discharged.

 

[Deset Gled]

Post 3

Thats a 33 damage (average) dagger he deflected, with no save needed. Being able to do something difficult 100% of the time doesn't make sense.

I guess I just don't see it as something that happens 100% of the time. Its something that works once a round. How often are you using ranged attacks and not using full attacks? How often are you the only person attacking? How often are you losing initiative/surprise to the enemy? Is this a single occurance, or is your DM using the feat constantly? Is a single, powerful ranged attack the only tactic your character has? I think that these are all questions you should address before calling DA broken.

DA is very useful in a very specific situation, but that situation doesn't come up all that often. And if a character is willing to spend a feat on it, it should be worth it. It seems like your view on this subject is entirely from the POV of a player going up against an NPC with the feat, not from a player using the feat. DA is definetally more powerful in the hands of an NPC than an PC when the DM knows his players rely on ranged attacks, but just because your DM can annoy you with a countertactic doesn't mean that the feat needs to be completely nerfed.

 

[Shape D.]

I guess I just don't see it as something that happens 100% of the time. Its something that works once a round. How often are you using ranged attacks and not using full attacks? How often are you the only person attacking? How often are you losing initiative/surprise to the enemy? Is this a single occurance, or is your DM using the feat constantly? Is a single, powerful ranged attack the only tactic your character has? I think that these are all questions you should address before calling DA broken.

DA is very useful in a very specific situation, but that situation doesn't come up all that often. And if a character is willing to spend a feat on it, it should be worth it. It seems like your view on this subject is entirely from the POV of a player going up against an NPC with the feat, not from a player using the feat. DA is definetally more powerful in the hands of an NPC than an PC when the DM knows his players rely on ranged attacks, but just because your DM can annoy you with a countertactic doesn't mean that the feat needs to be completely nerfed.

I almost always use ranged attacks. My current Character, "Garrett Blackhand" Ftr5/Rog2/MasterThrower1, uses primairaly daggers. 3/ round If I get a full attack. I do however have a Mace I use for melee attacks if I need it. As far as the only person, I'm the only person in the group who uses ranged attacks. (I also do the most damage/round) And no I don't run into it all the time but 90% fo the time when we fight monks they have this ability.

Master throwers also get this ability at 3rd level of the Prc So I will have it in two levels. I think reguardlessly automatically blocking 1 attack per round with no save is wrong for two reasons.
1) It makes no sense at all for something that difficult to do.
2) Succeding at something difficult that provides a challenge, and IMO makes a game more fun.

As someone who has played a monk before and who will be getting this feat for free in the Prc I am currently taking, I think making the ability have some form of challange would make it more interesting and exciting.

 

[c0mA]

Completely neutralize?.

yes, it is possible

he entire combat?.

yes it is possible, especially if that archer can't afford to enter melee

With an ability that blocks one shot per round?.

yes, Deflect Arrows

Name an archery-focused PC who doesn't have a means to toss out at least two attacks per round. Name a ranged combat-focused group who doesn't have at least two attacking characters.

I did before, but I will again.

A 5th level Fighter who didn't take Rapid Shot in a party where he is the only archer.

 

[Infiniti2000]

A 5th level Fighter who didn't take Rapid Shot in a party where he is the only archer.

A fighter without rapid shot is not an archery-focused PC by any stretch of the imagination. It would be similar to making a monk who couldn't flurry.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

And, at 6th-level, the ability to block all damage goes away.