Rules check - firing into melee

[jkohlhepp]

Hello. I was looking the other day to figure out what the rules were for firing a ranged weapon, such as a bow, into melee. From what I can tell there are no penalties. This assumes you are firing at an enemy with only allies between you and the enemy. Allies do not grant cover to enemies. I didn't see any rules around negatives for firing into melee.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,

~ Justin

 

[Dracorat]

This is correct. The old 3x penalty "firing in to melee" no longer exists.

 

[timbannock]

This is correct. The old 3x penalty "firing in to melee" no longer exists.

Indeed, this is the case.

HOUSE RULE: Some people who think this is not "realistic" simply apply a penalty to this for people who are not Proficient with the ranged weapon (and this only affects Keyword: Weapon powers). Usually it's a -4 penalty (because of nostalgia for 3.x), but some go with the "DM's best friend" of -2.

Personally, I find "realistic" and "D&D" don't mix, and see no reason to penalize characters. Assume everyone has Precise Shot, or better yet, assume everyone is equally sucky with ranged weapons, but being Proficient makes you better (hence the bonus). Of course, comparatively speaking, "sucky" 4e is still "pretty good" by 3.x standards, but I think I'm getting into existentialism here, so nevermind.

 

[DracoSuave]

You don't get a bonus for the distraction of the melee, and you don't get a penalty for the cover your friends provide.

It evens out that way.