Penalty for firing ranged weapons into melee ?

[Melkor]

I was looking in the PHB for this, but couldn't locate any info. Maybe I just missed it.

How do you guys handle the firing of ranged weapons into melee combat in C&C ?

[serleran]

Page 118, situational modifiers and the cover modifiers, using size of opponents to determine cover. Example, a gnome behind a human has half cover, but if he were behind an ogre, he'd have full, because of size differences. The ogre has partial because of the gnome. Also, common sense, like... a gnome behind a pavise cannot be shot at. If you miss, you miss.

I don't use the "if you roll a one, you hit someone else" houserule that seem to be very common.

[james_austintx]

I just use a set penalty of -4, with no chance of hitting a friend. I am probablly going to change that to something else, not sure what.
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[Maliki]

james_austintx wrote:
I just use a set penalty of -4, with no chance of hitting a friend.

This is how we do it as well, just a carry over from 3E. (I modify this based on the size of the combatants.)
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[Ghul]

We use the 1e method. Roll to hit. If you miss, do the following:

Missile Combat (Dungeon Masters Guide 1e, Gygax, 1979)

If the to hit die roll indicates a miss, roll 1d6 and 1d8. The d6 indicates the distance in feet the missile was off target. The d8 indicates the direction in which the distance in feet of the miss is measured:

1 = long right

2 = right

3 = short right

4 = short before

5 = short left

6 = left

7 = long left

8 = long (over)

[JRR]

I use the following method:

divide the chance to hit by the number of people involved in the melee, doubling the chances of large creatures. Anything really huge, (dragon, purple worm, etc) you just roll to hit as normal, targeting an area away from allies. So, 2 orcs an ogre, and joe, the pc are in melee, Wimpy, the archer has a 20% chance to hit either an orc or Joe, a 40% chance to hit the ogre. Of course, he must also hit their ac.
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[Tadhg]

Melkor wrote:
I was looking in the PHB for this, but couldn't locate any info. Maybe I just missed it.

How do you guys handle the firing of ranged weapons into melee combat in C&C ?

So far, I've only used the modifiers per the PH, as my players haven't tended to do this very much. One or two have been learning to move off to the side somewhat (partial flank) to have a better aim and so I may reduce the penalty, if the situation/room allows for that type of manuever.
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[moriarty777]

I pretty much the -4 penalty... as an option. If the character (say the party assassin) is not so much concerned with his companions, they may fire without the penalty and... stand a chance to hit them or the intended target.

But I pretty much cover modifiers into account otherwise.

Moriarty the Red
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[babbage]

I am giving my players the option of using -4 and having no chance at hitting allies, or no penalty and 'possibly' hitting allies. If he misses his target, and didn't take the penalty, this attack is randomly assigned to any combatant next to the target. If the original roll was good enough to hit, then it hit.

This lets them (and me) keep only one roll, plus it lets me discard any obviously low rolls and discount them. Taking no penalty and rolling a 5+3 = 8 misses everyone, no need to check.

Just thought of another plus, this also allows very well armoured/protected allies take the risk and pile in, without putting off their ranged allies. Protection from Normal Missiles, anyone?

[Omote]

I did use the -4 penalty, but eventually switched to a COVER bonus to AC. Every size difference in the cover section equates to another 1/4 of cover. If your trying to hit the gmone fighting the Troll, then 3/4 cover. If you miss, you miss alltogether... that is of course, unless you roll a nat 1.

...............................................Omote

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