Ranged Touch spells into Melee

[godfear]

Assuming the caster does not have the Precise Shot feat, should the -4 penalty for firing into melee apply to the ranged attack roll for a spell?

 

[Darklone]

Yes. Except if you want to hit your comrades. Believe me, that will increase your loot enourmously.

 

[godfear]

Thought so. Thanks.

 

[AuraSeer]

Yes, rays do suffer the -4 penalty for firing into melee. If there's nothing between you and the target, this is the only penalty, and you cannot hit your ally.

If your ally is between you and the target, normal cover rules apply. That means the target gets a cover bonus to AC, and it's possible to hit the cover (your ally) instead of the intended target. Note that if the ray misses, and does not hit an item of cover, it dissipates harmlessly in the target space; it cannot continue on hit something on the other side.

These rulings are in the FAQ.

 

[SevenSir]

If you're a wizard and you get buckets of feats, spend one of your ordinary (3rd, 6th, 9th, etc.) on point-blank and precise shots. Heck, if you have a decent dex (and are sufficiently afeared of close combat) you should probably take rapid shot too. It improves a low-level wizard's combat effectiveness tremendously.

I've got a custom class character (my DM's world, it's great and crazy) with point-blank and rapid shots. I'll get precise soon enough, and focus on casting rays, and Melf's Trippy Projectile in combat.

 

[Archade]

Rapid Fire?

Um, Rapid Fire? Can you rapid fire a spell? That would take more than one casting ... mind you, you could rapid fire a wand, I suppose ...

Ergh, a hasted, rapid fired wand of magic missiles ...

Archade

 

[AuraSeer]

Re: Rapid Fire?

Rapid Shot is a big waste for a wizard, because it doesn't work on spells. Casting a spell (or activating a wand) is a standard action; you can only do it once per round. The only ways to get more are with haste, or by using Quicken Spell.

Wizards aren't even proficient in any ranged weapons that can be used with the feat. (Rapid Shot requires a full attack action, which you can't take with a crossbow because it needs to be reloaded.) The only way it makes any sense is if you have an elven wizard with the racial MWP in a bow.

 

[Destil]

Re: Re: Rapid Fire?

Rapid Shot is a big waste for a wizard, because it doesn't work on spells. Casting a spell (or activating a wand) is a standard action; you can only do it once per round. The only ways to get more are with haste, or by using Quicken Spell.

Exactily why any real wizard should research a few new energy arrow spells.

 

[AuraSeer]

I don' t see how that would let you get any use from Rapid Shot. Even if you research new spells, you can still only cast one per action (unless they're Quickened).

 

[Storminator]

I believe he means spells you cast on arrows, then fire the arrows normally. If that's not it, I'm playing a wizard at his table!

PS