ranged weapons in melee combat

[Nellisir]

I'm looking for a page number (or Dragon # for sage advice) for any rules concerning firing or throwing ranged weapons at targets in melee (5') range. In particular: can this be done? If it can, is it a -4 to hit? Is it some other penalty (I know it invokes an AOA)? Is it just fine-n-dandy?

Thanks...
I've checked my PH twice & can't find anything.
Nell.
Thinking of checking his prescription...

 

[Henrix]

Apart from the AoO there's no problem firing in melee.

You get -4 to hit if the target is engaged in melee with one of your allies.

It's hard to give you any page numbers, but that would be Shooting or Throwing into Melee, p.124.

 

[EOL]

My understanding is that the only thing different about firing from 5' away is the AoO and that comes from the broader rule of using a ranged weapon in someone's threatened area which may be more than 5' away. In addition it may be less. Tiny creatures don't threaten so you could pound away at them with your ranged weapon without fear.

Now there is the whole firing into melee rule (which is a -4) but IMHO that doesn't apply if your target is meleeing with you. If he were in melee with your comrade (say on the other side) then it would apply.

 

[Nellisir]

So if the orc gets up in your face,you can horsewhip him with your nagaika, or send a clothyard arrow through his eyesocket? Nifty.


Nell.

 

[Magus_Jerel]

Ok - I am confused as to exactly which question you are asking here

1. shooting into melee
2. firing a ranged weapon while IN melee
3. throwing the melee weapon AT someting, while in or out of melee combat.

Q1 = short answer - see pg 124, top left hand corner, first printing PHB = -4 penalty to the shot to avoid hitting your ally, unless you have the precise shot feat.

Q2 = yes, you can do this, but it provokes an AoO.

Q3 = see irregular missiles advice (pg number is lost at the moment sorry)

Advanced answer to Q1 -
The reason for this -4 penalty is that you are presumed to be fighting another "similar sized" opponent - and that someone else - friend or foe standing five feet in front of you gives you "one half cover" against attacks from that direction.

Of course, if your buddy is a gnome fighter engaged hand to hand with an ogre - the "cover" factor is dramatically reduced for you - and dramatically increased for the ogre's allies trying to shoot your "little" buddy.

If you want to deter this tactic, you should remind your players that if they miss, they will have to check to see the if the "cover" - in this case your ally - is struck. The rules for cover can be found on pg 132 of the PHB.