Author Topic: RANGER PHBII Distracting Attack Alternate Class Ability  (Read 5061 times)

Offline dirkformica

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RANGER PHBII Distracting Attack Alternate Class Ability
« on: February 27, 2014, 06:04:43 AM »
"Beginning at 4th level, whenever you hit an enemy with a weapon attack (whether melee or ranged), that enemy is considered flanked by you for the purpose of adjudicating your allies’ attacks. For example, if your rogue ally attacked that enemy, not only would she gain a +2 bonus on her melee attack roll but she could also add her sneak attack damage to a successful melee attack.  This flanked condition lasts until either the enemy is attacked by one of your allies or until the start of your next turn, whichever comes first. This is an extraordinary ability.  This ability has no effect on creatures that can’t be flanked."

If two Rangers take this ability, and they have Sneak Attack from class levels, or Hunter's Eye 1st level spell, do they set each other up?  E.G. surprise round setup initiative to be best one after the other.  Then 1st shoots and sets up Flanking.  Second then shoots and takes advantage of flanking (+2 to attack as well as allowing sneak attacks.) He also has Distracting Attack so when the next round comes the first attacker takes advantage and is able to get +2 to attack as well as sneak attack damage.  His attacks then further trigger the same. 

Basically I'm wondering if two archers can mantain Distracting Attack on a target such that they both get sneak attack via ranged attacks.

Offline Iainuki

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Re: RANGER PHBII Distracting Attack Alternate Class Ability
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2014, 02:23:03 PM »
They can do it with melee attacks (for one attack), but not ranged attacks, because the flanked condition (without other abilities) only applies to melee attacks.  http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm#flanking: "When you make a melee attack. . ."

Offline kitep

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Re: RANGER PHBII Distracting Attack Alternate Class Ability
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2014, 04:52:24 PM »
I agree, it wouldn't work for a pair of archers.  Now, if both rangers were wielding swords, then it would.

Also be aware that it only works for "the next attack".  So if the ally gets multiple attacks (+6/+1), it would only get the flank on the first attack.