ranged attack into melee

[dogoftheunderworld]

Sorry if this has been covered a thousand times, but I'm trying to gear up for a new 3.5 game...

If I am firing at an enemy target who is in melee with an ally, do the penalties for "firing into melee" and "soft cover" stack (total -8)? Or is this the same penalty described two different ways?

Thanks,

Brian.
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[Hypersmurf]

If I am firing at an enemy target who is in melee with an ally, do the penalties for "firing into melee" and "soft cover" stack (total -8)? Or is this the same penalty described two different ways?

If you aim at a target in melee with an ally, you take a -4 penalty on your attack roll.

If there is someone in between you and your target, he gets a +4 cover bonus to AC.

It's possible to get the penalty even if there's nobody in the way; it's possible for someone to be in the way without them being in melee; and it's possible for both to apply.

-Hyp.

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Thanks!

Thanks, Hyp. That's the way I read it, but we had never applied it that way before.

Peace,

Brian
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