Flatfooting With Ranged

Flatfooting With Ranged

Inlaa 21 Jul 2012 18:08

How all can it be done? I want to be able to make opponents flatfooted or otherwise deny them their DEX bonus to AC while fighting as a ranged combattant if at all possible. My problem is that… well, I want to do it as a ranged combattant, which removes a lot of tricks from my sleeve (like the superfeinting abilities of the Invisible Blade). Are there any good, preferably Swift Action methods of doing it? Is "Magic" the answer in this case?

Also, if there aren't a lot of options, should I look into making a custom PRC that operates similarly to the Invisible Blade, but for ranged attackers?

Re: Flatfooting With Ranged

Duralan 21 Jul 2012 18:54

Simply going before them in init will work… or getting a surprise round.
There are some skill tricks in complete scoundrel that may also help.
However… in this case teamwork may be the key. There are ACF/ToB maneuvers/similar which can make the target FF even for the other party members. Some conditions (like pin or stun, balancing on grease without acro-ranks) make one downright lose dex bonus to AC (not ff per se but helps with precision DMG delivery).

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"That's us, defeating evil by being even bigger bastards" - Baltasar Malich commenting the latests exploits of "The Evil Trio" (himself + Altharid and Sidhe Spellweaver)

Re: Flatfooting With Ranged

Hyzigov 23 Jul 2012 14:05

Hurm, Player's Handbook 2 has the Ranger Alternate Class feature, that allows targets hit by ranger's melee or ranged attacks to be considered flanked in exchange for losing Animal Companion.

Also, there is Feint/Improved Fient, though there is some argument over whether or not it applies to ranged attacks. General consensus seems to be that you can feint at range, but it only deny opponent's dex to your next Melee attack. They are still considered Fiented.

Also, Surprising Riposte from Drow of the Underdark \- If you deal damage to a target you successfully feinted against, they become flat footed for 1 round or opponent's next turn, whichever comes first. Combine this with Manyshot/Greater Manyshot for much fun, and essentially full attacks. Add in a Splitting weapon, and you have a scary combatant.

Last edited on 23 Jul 2012 14:07 by Hyzigov Show more

Re: Flatfooting With Ranged

Ichai 12 Aug 2012 00:21

Bow Feint (Dragon Magazine 350 p.90)

Prerequisites: Int 13, Point Blank Shot
You may make a ‘Feint in Combat’ action with a ranged weapon (this feat is not bow-specific). Your target must be within 30’ and be able to see you. This action requires a Standard Action with a loaded weapon.

I vote to add this to the allowed extras.