I'm considering a few new ranged fire options. Let me know what you think. The first is sort of a simpler variation on indirect fire (from the DMG), but as an actual attack option. The second is a feat designed to simulate longbow strategies. The third is a rules clarification/house rule.
New attack option: Firing at massed targets
Firing a missile weapon or thrown weapon at a group of targets is easier, since that group essentially creates a larger target. If you use a missle or thrown weapon you may designate a group of opponents as a general target. You must designate a minimum of three opponents and a maximum of six opponents as a target for the attack. The opponents must be in adjacent squares, and they must be the same size or within 1 size category of each other. You cannot be adjacent to any member of the targeted group. You recieve a circumstance bonus of +1 for every extra target in the group over the first two (i.e. +1 for three targets, +2 for four targets). You make your attack roll with this modifier, the target of the attack is randomly determined by the DM, and the attack is then resolved against that character's AC. The target receives all standard modifiers for size, concealment, cover, etc. In cases where the target is given cover by a member of the same group who is blocking the line of fire, the chance to strike the cover on a failed attack roll is resolved normally (as described on page 133 of the PHB).
New Feat: Lofted Shot [General]
You are trained as a longbowman, and may strike at targets behind cover.
Prerequisite: Weapon Focus (Longbow)
Benefit: When using a longbow, you may loft your arrows at opponents and reduce the effectiveness of cover. You must be able to see the target (the target cannot have total cover). The target must be at least 100 feet away, and it cannot be directly adjacent to the cover. The cover being negated must be of a type that can be shot over (this feat would have no effect on a target at a window inside a house). If these considerations are met, you may reduce the target's cover bonus by -2. If the attack fails, it is not necessary to make a second check against the cover's AC to see if the cover was hit.
This is an effective strategy for firing over the heads of allies or over defensive fortifications (as long as those fortifications do not provide total cover). You may combine this attack with the "massed target" attack option (see above) to increase your chance to hit a group of targets.
Note: It seems like it would make sense to extend this feat to thrown weapons that can be lobbed, and perhaps to things like seige engine attacks. I haven't really given that a whole lot of thought yet.
House Rule: Firing from behind an ally
You may fire at a target who would normally recieve cover from an ally without penalty, as long as you are standing directly behind that ally in the adjacent square. If the ally is currently engaged in combat with the target, you still incur the -4 penalty for shooting into a fight.
Note: I think it might be better to let the target keep it's cover bonus if the interceding ally is engaged in combat, since that ally is assumed to be moving around and might get in the way. It might be possible for the attacker to hold a ready action, yell "duck" to his ally, and then shoot when the ally has cleared a line of fire for him.
New attack option: Firing at massed targets
Firing a missile weapon or thrown weapon at a group of targets is easier, since that group essentially creates a larger target. If you use a missle or thrown weapon you may designate a group of opponents as a general target. You must designate a minimum of three opponents and a maximum of six opponents as a target for the attack. The opponents must be in adjacent squares, and they must be the same size or within 1 size category of each other. You cannot be adjacent to any member of the targeted group. You recieve a circumstance bonus of +1 for every extra target in the group over the first two (i.e. +1 for three targets, +2 for four targets). You make your attack roll with this modifier, the target of the attack is randomly determined by the DM, and the attack is then resolved against that character's AC. The target receives all standard modifiers for size, concealment, cover, etc. In cases where the target is given cover by a member of the same group who is blocking the line of fire, the chance to strike the cover on a failed attack roll is resolved normally (as described on page 133 of the PHB).
New Feat: Lofted Shot [General]
You are trained as a longbowman, and may strike at targets behind cover.
Prerequisite: Weapon Focus (Longbow)
Benefit: When using a longbow, you may loft your arrows at opponents and reduce the effectiveness of cover. You must be able to see the target (the target cannot have total cover). The target must be at least 100 feet away, and it cannot be directly adjacent to the cover. The cover being negated must be of a type that can be shot over (this feat would have no effect on a target at a window inside a house). If these considerations are met, you may reduce the target's cover bonus by -2. If the attack fails, it is not necessary to make a second check against the cover's AC to see if the cover was hit.
This is an effective strategy for firing over the heads of allies or over defensive fortifications (as long as those fortifications do not provide total cover). You may combine this attack with the "massed target" attack option (see above) to increase your chance to hit a group of targets.
Note: It seems like it would make sense to extend this feat to thrown weapons that can be lobbed, and perhaps to things like seige engine attacks. I haven't really given that a whole lot of thought yet.
House Rule: Firing from behind an ally
You may fire at a target who would normally recieve cover from an ally without penalty, as long as you are standing directly behind that ally in the adjacent square. If the ally is currently engaged in combat with the target, you still incur the -4 penalty for shooting into a fight.
Note: I think it might be better to let the target keep it's cover bonus if the interceding ally is engaged in combat, since that ally is assumed to be moving around and might get in the way. It might be possible for the attacker to hold a ready action, yell "duck" to his ally, and then shoot when the ally has cleared a line of fire for him.
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