Snatch/Deflect Arrows vs. Tanglefoot Bags and Alchemist's Fire?

[Artoomis]

It really doesn't matter if the bag opens in the air or on contact with the target. Either way, it is a "ranged weapon" and will be deflected.

It does matter. If you think it is opened in the air, then it would be undeflectable as it would stick to the monk when he tried to deflect it.

 

[allenw]

It really doesn't matter if the bag opens in the air or on contact with the target. Either way, it is a "ranged weapon" and will be deflected.

Except that it's a 'ranged touch weapon,' and to deflect it you've got to touch it first. Of course, that would mean you couldn't use Snatch Arrows on a flask of Alchemist's Fire either, but I'd allow that for conceptual reasons.

 

[silentspace]

House Rule alert:

Why not give it another reflex save? The first save to intercept the missile, the second to keep it from breaking. Kind of like catching a water balloon. Another DC 20 seems appropriate.

This assumes the bag does not come apart in the air, which just seems kind of silly.

 

[hong]

Except that it's a 'ranged touch weapon,' and to deflect it you've got to touch it first. Of course, that would mean you couldn't use Snatch Arrows on a flask of Alchemist's Fire either, but I'd allow that for conceptual reasons.

Touch attacks require the attacker to touch the target, not the other way around. You can't discharge a held harm spell, for instance, by letting a monster hit you.

 

[Deset Gled]

A "ranged touch weapon" (which I don't believe is actually a game term) is still a "ranged weapon". The fact that it only requires a touch attack to work has no affect whatsoever on the feats in question.

I realize that there are a number of "logical" arguements as to ways that a tanglefoot bag might not work against these feats, but the bottom line is that the RAW work against them. You can houserule it if you don't feel it should work like this, but the text itself is very cut and dry.

And, just for good measure, here's a fun logical arguement to play with: deflection bonuses still work against touch attacks. It's not much of a stretch to say that the Deflect Arrows feat does for the same reasons.