Missile Weapons at Point Blank Range

[Godaikin Engineer]

Howdy all, got a 4eD&D question.

Can a PC use a missile weapon to attack an enemy he's in base-to-base contact with?

The rules, IMO, are vague on this point. On the one hand, you have p.215 of the PH saying "You can't use a ranged weapon as a melee weapon", which seems to say you can't do it.

On the other hand, you have references in the combat chapter which say using a ranged attack while in a threatened area will provoke an opportunity attack, which may mean you can do it.

My interpretation right now is that you need some room to use a missile weapon effectively, so while you can use a ranged attack on an enemy 2 or more squares away (even while being threatened with melee), you can't use the missile weapon on any target you're in close combat with.

(Also, since p.215 specifically references _melee weapons_, I'm ruling that other ranged attacks are possible (e.g. a wizard's Magic Missile), but will provoke an OA as usual.)

Any thoughts on this? I realize that it's my game and I should make the ruling I like / am comfortable with, but I'd like to hear what others have done on this point. I do like the idea that when critters get close, the long range attackers like bow-specialist rangers have to switch to a close-combat weapon.

- GE

 

[aco175]

I think that the referance on p.215 is saying that you cannot use the bow to swing it like a sword, a ranged weapon as a melee wpn.

The opportunity atk from using a ranged wpn while to make a ranged atk while in a threatened space is correct AFAIK.

 

[Twilightwaits]

What Aco said. You cannot bludgeon a monster to death with the bow itself in melee (unless Bladed Bows have made a return I'm unaware of), but you can use it to shoot a critter full of holes, assuming you're willing to take the OA for it.

 

[Godaikin Engineer]

What Aco said. You cannot bludgeon a monster to death with the bow itself in melee (unless Bladed Bows have made a return I'm unaware of), but you can use it to shoot a critter full of holes, assuming you're willing to take the OA for it.

Thanks for what you and aco175 said.

Bladed bows? That's one thing I've never heard of. Where did they come from?

I'm trying to stay using the RAW as much as possible, since the 4E rules actually do work really well. I'll change my ruling on this, which will make the ranger in my group happy.

I appreciate the help!

- GE

 

[msherman]

Yeah, that's the whole reason bow rangers get Defensive Mobility, so that they can fire point blank and get the prime shot bonus without always getting killed by OAs.

 

[Simm]

Bladed bows? That's one thing I've never heard of. Where did they come from?

Not sure about bladed bows but there was a staff bow in Races of the Wild.

 

[Infiniti2000]

What Aco said. You cannot bludgeon a monster to death with the bow itself in melee (unless Bladed Bows have made a return I'm unaware of), but you can use it to shoot a critter full of holes, assuming you're willing to take the OA for it.

Sure, you can bludgeon him. It just becomes and improvised melee weapon.

There's no rule against using a ranged weapon against adjacent foes, so allow it. In fact, the rule to allow it is the one in the DMG that says to say "yes."

 

[Mort_Q]

Is it really not stated anywhere directly that you can attack an adjacent foe with a ranged attack?

It certainly is implied:

Provoke Opportunity Attacks: If you use a ranged power while adjacent to an enemy, that enemy can make an opportunity attack against you.

 

[BartD]

I think you can shot at anything within range & line of sight/effect. Wouldn't that include point blank range since there is no specific rule against it?

 

[DracoSuave]

Yeah, that's the whole reason bow rangers get Defensive Mobility, so that they can fire point blank and get the prime shot bonus without always getting killed by OAs.

DM doesn't apply to OAs from ranged attacks.