Shooting at less tha point blank shot

[JimAde]

He's not engaged in melee if he's using a ranged weapon, because he doesn't threaten. Good idea, but it doesn't work.

Edit: If the boyer was a monk, or had the improved unarmed strike feat, or natural attacks that didn't include his hands (which are occupied with the bow), then he WOULD be considered in melee combat...

ALthough, of course, if he hates himself for being in this situation, he's not a friendly target in melee combat, so that point is moot. (I'm sorry <no I'm not>, I just love to harp on that)

Actually, a character is considered in melee if he's in range of another character and either threatens the other. So even though the archer doesn't threaten, his opponent presumably does. Since the target is "in melee with an ally" (assuming the archer doesn't hate himself too much ) there's still a -4 by the RAW. I wouldn't apply the penalty, though, since the rationale behind it is that you are trying to avoid hitting your ally and the archer will presumably not hit himself.