Wind and Range

[Tarangil]

I was wondering if there is a difference between ranged weapon attacks and ranged spell attacks.

:\ The reason why is that I have a spellcaster entereing a hurricane area, and I'm wondering whether Lesser orb attacks, or Scorching Rays would be effected. Are ray's different than a ranged attack since it's a ray?

The rules more or less state:

Windstorm: Ranged attacks are impossible

Hurricane-Force Wind:All ranged attacks are impossible

In this case I'm inclined to say NO to lesser orbs and melfs arrows and such, but I'm not too sure about ray spells

 

[Infiniti2000]

A ray spell is a ranged attack, so it becomes impossible in a tornado or hurricane. You get to a debate when you look at some of the other scenarios where it says "ranged weapon attacks" and not just "ranged attacks." A ray spell is clearly a ranged attack, but some people argue that it's not a ranged weapon attack. Those people, and I am not one of them, would argue that a ray spell is therefore not possible in a tornado or hurricane, is possible without penalty in windstorm (though weapons are impossible), is possible without penalty in a severe wind (though weapons get -4), and has a penalty of -2 in a strong wind.

Thus, it's much more consistent to view them as ranged weapon attacks as well and treat them as such. So, not possible.