Flying Invisible Archers?

[AnthonyRoberson]

Ok. I have a character that has had Greater Invisibility and Fly cast on him. He is firing his bow with Manyshot/Rapidshot. He is a pain in my neck...

Ok...So how do enemies target him? If he hits a target with an arrow, do they just need to make a Spot check? What is the DC? I realize that he gets a +2 to AC and there is a 50% miss chance for anyone that targets his 'square', but I'm unsure of exactly how enemies target him in the first place....

 

[shilsen]

The Spot check to pinpoint an invisible person who is not holding still is DC 40, but I would provide a significant bonus if he is firing arrows, since people can see where the arrows originate. A Listen check DC to pinpoint someone who is invisible and shooting arrows would be his Move Silent roll (since it's -20 due to the movement and +20 to pinpoint, which equals out), IIRC, since I don't have my books with me.

 

[TessarrianDM]

A DC 20 Spot check (+1 per 10' of distance) will allow the enemy to determine the square he is in and then target it (with the +2 to his AC and 50% miss chance). Enemies who may have dealt with invisible attackers in the past (particularly spellcasters and their allies) would be prepared for these kinds of tactics, especially if they have used them. Something as simple as a well-aimed bag of flour or several smokesticks could frustrate an invisible archer, either by revealing him or concealing his targets. Even ones who have not encountered such tactics would probably seek some type of cover.
Also, keep in mind that Manyshot has a 30' maximum range, both feats penalize the attack roll (-4 or more with Manyshot, -2 per arrow with Rapid Shot), and they cannot be used together {Manyshot is a standard action (PHB 97), allowing it to be combined with a move; Rapid Shot (PHB 99) requires a full-round action (PHB 143), as it requires a full attack}.

 

[blargney the second]

Easiest solution:
1) Throw the same thing at your group.
2) Take notes.
-blarg

 

[javcs]

See Invisibility, True Seeing, blindsight/blindsense, Summon Swarm (of bats, in the air, then just spray down the area where the bat swarm goes) ... higher levels give more options ... what levels are we looking at?

I agree with Shilsen on giving a circumstance bonus on the spot check when he's firing arrows.
Tessarian has some good counters to getting attacked.
Blargney the Second has the simplest answer (for you, at any rate)

 

[AnthonyRoberson]

...Also, keep in mind that Manyshot has a 30' maximum range, both feats penalize the attack roll (-4 or more with Manyshot, -2 per arrow with Rapid Shot), and they cannot be used together {Manyshot is a standard action (PHB 97), allowing it to be combined with a move; Rapid Shot (PHB 99) requires a full-round action (PHB 143), as it requires a full attack}.

Holy crap! I totally spaced and let him use the feats together. Thanks so much to you (and everyone else) that responded!

 

[javcs]

Holy crap! I totally spaced and let him use the feats together. Thanks so much to you (and everyone else) that responded!

That's most of the problem right there. (Rogue, I'm guessing, so ****load of d6s with that snafu.)

Personally, I'd forgotten about the 30ft range limit on Manyshot.

 

[blargney the second]

Invisibility Purge rocks.

 

[starwed]

A flying archer can just go outside of the range of invisibility purge. He probably doesn't need to use many shot either, since he can just stand still and shoot with rapid shot.

Of course, if he's relying on sneak attack that won't work. But an invisible fighter specializing in the bow, flying 1000' above your head, is going to pose a problem. (Well, assuming there's some reason you can't just take cover.)

Huh: if an archer takes both farshot and a distance weapon, he can shoot arrows from about half a mile away. He'll take a -20 on the attack roll, but an invisible flying archer with true strike would be a pretty effective assassin against a mid-level party.

 

[Unkabear]

Wand of Glitterdust