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<blockquote data-quote="Jackinthegreen" data-source="post: 5639985" data-attributes="member: 6678119"><p>Note that I'm trying to avoid stating my own opinion, since my own opinion and what I'd personally do doesn't mean a damn thing when discussing what may or may not be possible under RAW or RAI. I'm not a DM making the call, especially on these forums.</p><p></p><p>They're definitely ammo/ranged according to the tables, but they can be used in melee with a -4 penalty as per the description. Blurs the line a bit to some. For completeness' sake, one could argue that if the weapon is given melee rules then it's technically a melee weapon in this regard. Likewise one could argue that it's a freaking arrow, it's clearly not meant to be used in melee and thus shouldn't be called a melee weapon in any sense of the word. The tables support the latter case, but the first point can still be argued.</p><p></p><p>As the description goes: "As a <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#freeActions" target="_blank">free action</a>, the wielder chooses how to allocate the weapon’s enhancement bonus at the start of his turn before using the weapon"</p><p></p><p>What exactly does "using the weapon" mean in this context? Obviously actually attacking with the weapon would constitute use. One could also use a dagger to clean his fingernails though. There's no specific wording for what "using the weapon" means.</p><p></p><p>Another question is whether this "use" actually means anything for the purpose of the enhancement. One could argue the free action to decide how to allocate AC is not dependent on actually having to use it later.</p><p></p><p>What if you allocate its AC as a free action at the start, then move and trigger an AoO before you get to attack or otherwise use it? If the property was linked to actually using the weapon to attack, then the use is denied and thus the character wouldn't benefit from it. Some would say that's exactly how it works. Others would call BS on that and say even if a character doesn't "use" the weapon for whatever purpose, the bonus must still apply because it wouldn't be fair if it didn't.</p><p></p><p>It's possible the only reason the bit about "before using the weapon" is because it's too much of a gain to use it for attacking at full bonus then allocate the bonus to AC after that. Can't have your cake and eat it too in this regard.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jackinthegreen, post: 5639985, member: 6678119"] Note that I'm trying to avoid stating my own opinion, since my own opinion and what I'd personally do doesn't mean a damn thing when discussing what may or may not be possible under RAW or RAI. I'm not a DM making the call, especially on these forums. They're definitely ammo/ranged according to the tables, but they can be used in melee with a -4 penalty as per the description. Blurs the line a bit to some. For completeness' sake, one could argue that if the weapon is given melee rules then it's technically a melee weapon in this regard. Likewise one could argue that it's a freaking arrow, it's clearly not meant to be used in melee and thus shouldn't be called a melee weapon in any sense of the word. The tables support the latter case, but the first point can still be argued. As the description goes: "As a [URL="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#freeActions"]free action[/URL], the wielder chooses how to allocate the weapon’s enhancement bonus at the start of his turn before using the weapon" What exactly does "using the weapon" mean in this context? Obviously actually attacking with the weapon would constitute use. One could also use a dagger to clean his fingernails though. There's no specific wording for what "using the weapon" means. Another question is whether this "use" actually means anything for the purpose of the enhancement. One could argue the free action to decide how to allocate AC is not dependent on actually having to use it later. What if you allocate its AC as a free action at the start, then move and trigger an AoO before you get to attack or otherwise use it? If the property was linked to actually using the weapon to attack, then the use is denied and thus the character wouldn't benefit from it. Some would say that's exactly how it works. Others would call BS on that and say even if a character doesn't "use" the weapon for whatever purpose, the bonus must still apply because it wouldn't be fair if it didn't. It's possible the only reason the bit about "before using the weapon" is because it's too much of a gain to use it for attacking at full bonus then allocate the bonus to AC after that. Can't have your cake and eat it too in this regard. [/QUOTE]
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