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<blockquote data-quote="Caliban" data-source="post: 690671" data-attributes="member: 284">The -4 for firing into melee means that you have no chance of hitting your ally, only your target.&nbsp; &nbsp; You get this penalty even when your ally is not directly between you and your target, because it is assumed that combatants are always moving within their 5' square as they angle for position.&nbsp; &nbsp; The -4 means that you are waiting for a clear shot, instead of taking the first shot that becomes available. The Cover bonus means that your ally is directly between you and your target, and that even waiting for the best shot means that they may still be in the way. Both the penalty to your attack roll and the bonus to your targets AC can apply at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp; The Precise shot feat allows you to ignore the -4 penalty, but not the Cover bonus to their AC. If you want to say that you don't care if you hit your allies, then I would apply a flat 20% chance of hitting them (although it may not be a successful hit if your allie has a high AC).&nbsp;&nbsp; No penalty to your attack roll, just a flat chance of hitting them.&nbsp; And no sneak attack because you obviously aren't taking the time to aim carefully.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Caliban, post: 690671, member: 284"] The -4 for firing into melee means that you have no chance of hitting your ally, only your target. You get this penalty even when your ally is not directly between you and your target, because it is assumed that combatants are always moving within their 5' square as they angle for position. The -4 means that you are waiting for a clear shot, instead of taking the first shot that becomes available. The Cover bonus means that your ally is directly between you and your target, and that even waiting for the best shot means that they may still be in the way. Both the penalty to your attack roll and the bonus to your targets AC can apply at the same time. The Precise shot feat allows you to ignore the -4 penalty, but not the Cover bonus to their AC. If you want to say that you don't care if you hit your allies, then I would apply a flat 20% chance of hitting them (although it may not be a successful hit if your allie has a high AC). No penalty to your attack roll, just a flat chance of hitting them. And no sneak attack because you obviously aren't taking the time to aim carefully. [/QUOTE]

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