Kalendraf
Explorer
I'm attempting to find or design a feat for ranged attackers that functions much like the Penetrate skill found in the Amazon of Diablo2. Essentially, arrows have a chance to blow right through their nearest target and continue on hitting other targets in the path. I was looking at this as somewhat of a replacement for the Cleave feat specifically designed for ranged attackers. I don't think all shots should necessarily have a chance to rip through their first victim and continue onward, but I do like the idea of a killing blow being so powerful that the missile continues onward possibly hitting more foes in its path.
If such a feat exists already, let me know. I have some d20 sourcebooks, but there's so many that finding one like this may be difficult. If one doesn't exist, I'd like to try designing it. Here's my stab at it:
PIERCING SHOT [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Str 13, Point Blank Shot
Benefit: If you deal a creature enough damage using a ranged weapon attack to make it drop (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killingit) it continues it's path and may hit additional targets. To resolve this, roll an immediate, extra ranged attack against the next creature in the weapon's path. The attack is with the same weapon and at the same bonus as the attack that dropped the previous creature but with a -4 penalty. If this new attack deals enough damage to kill the next creature, then repeat this procedure, each time with an additional -4 penalty on the attack roll. The ranged weapon ends its flight path when it hits a target, but does not deal enough damage to drop it. Any sneak attack damage only applies to the first target.
Special: When making a ranged attack, you may suppress this feat entirely so as not to endanger allies. You must announce this before making the attack.
A fighter may select Piercing Shot as one of his fighter bonus feats.
and while I'm at it, here's a possible follow-up feat for it.
CONTINUING SHOT [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Piercing Shot
Benefit: If you miss with a ranged attack, your projectile continues on it's path, possibly hitting other targets along the way. To resolve this, treat the next legal target along the ranged attack path as though it were the original target instead. This attack uses the same weapon and the same bonus as the original attack, but with a -2 penalty. Any miss repeats this process with an additional -2 penalty. If the new target is within 30', the benefits of Point Blank Shot apply. If the attack is successful, and the damage is enough to drop the target, it is treated as per Piercing Shot. No sneak attack damage is applied since the original target was missed.
Special: When making a ranged attack, you may suppress this feat entirely so as not to endanger allies. You must announce this before making the attack.
A fighter may select Continuing Shot as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Too strong? Too weak? Need better wording? Any suggestions appreciated.
If such a feat exists already, let me know. I have some d20 sourcebooks, but there's so many that finding one like this may be difficult. If one doesn't exist, I'd like to try designing it. Here's my stab at it:
PIERCING SHOT [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Str 13, Point Blank Shot
Benefit: If you deal a creature enough damage using a ranged weapon attack to make it drop (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killingit) it continues it's path and may hit additional targets. To resolve this, roll an immediate, extra ranged attack against the next creature in the weapon's path. The attack is with the same weapon and at the same bonus as the attack that dropped the previous creature but with a -4 penalty. If this new attack deals enough damage to kill the next creature, then repeat this procedure, each time with an additional -4 penalty on the attack roll. The ranged weapon ends its flight path when it hits a target, but does not deal enough damage to drop it. Any sneak attack damage only applies to the first target.
Special: When making a ranged attack, you may suppress this feat entirely so as not to endanger allies. You must announce this before making the attack.
A fighter may select Piercing Shot as one of his fighter bonus feats.
and while I'm at it, here's a possible follow-up feat for it.
CONTINUING SHOT [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Piercing Shot
Benefit: If you miss with a ranged attack, your projectile continues on it's path, possibly hitting other targets along the way. To resolve this, treat the next legal target along the ranged attack path as though it were the original target instead. This attack uses the same weapon and the same bonus as the original attack, but with a -2 penalty. Any miss repeats this process with an additional -2 penalty. If the new target is within 30', the benefits of Point Blank Shot apply. If the attack is successful, and the damage is enough to drop the target, it is treated as per Piercing Shot. No sneak attack damage is applied since the original target was missed.
Special: When making a ranged attack, you may suppress this feat entirely so as not to endanger allies. You must announce this before making the attack.
A fighter may select Continuing Shot as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Too strong? Too weak? Need better wording? Any suggestions appreciated.
