Penalty - shooting into combat

[Tyrax]

What does this mean? My sorceror always gets a -4 penalty on his spells

[Overlard]

If you shoot a ranged weapon into combat (Rays, bows, crossbows) you take a -4 penalty on your attack roll- that is, you're far less likely to hit. If you take Point Blank Shot (+1 on ranged attacks within 30 feet) and then the subsequent Precise Shot (Remove that pesky -4) feats then you'll be able to fire with no penalty into melee.

[Makingwaffles]

Get the feat Precise shot, and it should remove the -4

[Aunel]

It represents the fact you're launching stuff into a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ of allies and enemies and not trying to bean your fighter in the back of the head with a disintigrate or something.

[Qiox]

Originally posted by Tyrax:

What does this mean? My sorceror always gets a -4 penalty on his spells

Specifically, you get this penalty if the target of your spell is engage in melee with someone.

[ChopSuey™]

You dont get a -4 period if you're swing a real sword. Point is youre not. Its a game.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Feels like a waste of a Feat slot to require taking Precise Shot to not be constantly nerfed.

[soullos]

Originally posted by Mr Hat and Clogs:

Feels like a waste of a Feat slot to require taking Precise Shot to not be constantly nerfed.

Welcome to Pathfinder, the land of the feat tax.

[Mr Hat and Clogs]

Originally posted by soullos:

Welcome to Pathfinder, the land of the feat tax.

Feats should be fun, that sort of stuff is just tedious. Such a bad design philosphy.

[starkmaddness]

If you want realism, firing into melee would have a high chance of inflicting friendly fire if you miss. I'd rather take a -4 penalty, which reflect the need to take careful shots, rather than ideal ones. The rule actually does make logical sense.

[soullos]

Originally posted by Mr Hat and Clogs:

Originally posted by soullos:

Welcome to Pathfinder, the land of the feat tax.

Feats should be fun, that sort of stuff is just tedious. Such a bad design philosphy.

Absolutely. As much as I like PF, feat taxes were one of the many reasons why I switched over to other systems.

[Meepichi]

Anyone else seeing posts like this one that says was last updated 6 minutes ago or something but nobody has posted in days? Weirdness...this one has been on page 2 for days for me.