two said:
My main point is this: I think spellcasters have it very easy in d&d. Lots of ways to get a spell off, even in dangerous circumstances (5' step is just gravy). I'm irritated that one of the last remaining ways to accomplish this, which is open to a commoner, is now gone (readying an action). Am I just being a baby?
Vote aye, or nay, and I'll be outta here.
Aye, I don't think spellcasters have it as easy as you think--we've already noted a ton of things that can make this more difficult, and having archers with ranks in Spellcraft was only one of them.
I will admit, though, that the player in question was being rather obnoxious. If I came up with this tactic, I would have asked the DM *when I came up with it* and mentioned that the spell research was intended for that purpose. That's better than trying to be sneaky about things--after all, the DM is *not* the player's enemy, at least until a player blindsides him with something like this without pointing out the consequences.
In my campaign, I know that if I come up with a novel way to use the rules, I will *always* go to the DM first for the stamp of approval before I try to use it in a fight. That's unless, of course, I come up with it in the middle of a fight. Your player, however, was certainly thinking ahead with this one--and, well, the player in our group who tries to do things like that is generally met with a stare of disbelief, followed by a "No, we'll talk about it later." If it's something that he foolishly built into the character without consulting first, the DM will probably be willing to make a retroactive change. The first time, anyway.
So, as my final word on the subject:
1) The idea of drawing fire is perfectly reasonable--and if a player wants to develop a tactic for his character that could be used that way, it would be appropriate to try to find a reasonable method rather than just saying "no".
2) A player who tries to sneak things past his GM is asking for a beat-down. The atmosphere is much better when (on the players side) players are willing to approach the GM about a desired tactic, and can expect (on the GM's side) that the GM will provide a means if the tactic isn't unreasonable.
Some players don't understand this model. Some GM's make it difficult. The GM's that are willing to put in the time to make sound judgements generally get *very* riled up when players try the "easier to ask for forgiveness" tactic.
So my advice is: Gently suggest to the player that in a situation on the edge of the rules like that, it would be worthwhile to ask first next time. And then be prepared to give a little if he does, or smack him down if he doesn't.
I mean if you aren't using this tactic often then not much of a loss, right?
