TOPIC: Ranged Retribution?

If I shoot a scary, bitey monster with arrows, could I take retribution damage?

Anythings possible (I believe smoak-o-Lich did that on nightmare)

No

Think of Retribution damage as thorns. If you hit a rose bush with your bare fists you can damage it, but your hands are going to get torn up. If you shoot a projectile at a rose bush, you won't take damage because you're not coming into contact with the thorns.

So what was the draco-Lich doing when we hit him at range (some form of darkrift)?

Druegar wrote: No

Think of Retribution damage as thorns. If you hit a rose bush with your bare fists you can damage it, but your hands are going to get torn up. If you shoot a projectile at a rose bush, you won't take damage because you're not coming into contact with the thorns.

I'd think you could still get retribution damage from a missile weapon. Maybe energy comes back down the arrow's path, or the monster shoots quills at anyone that hits it with missile weapons automatically. If Jeff wanted to give retribution damage for a monster with a ranged weapon, I'll bet he could figure out a way to do it.

Picc wrote: So what was the draco-Lich doing when we hit him at range (some form of darkrift)?

I can't say. The module specifically states Smoakalich's "Darkrift Aura" (aka Darkrift Retribution damage) was triggered by a successful melee attack. Either the DM made an error or it was a change made by the PTB during Gen Con.

And not that it matters, but Smoak was female.

Mike Steele wrote: If Jeff wanted to give retribution damage for a monster with a ranged weapon, I'll bet he could figure out a way to do it.

Certainly. However, until/unless Jeff changes the definition or creates a ranged version, Retribution Damage is only triggered by successful melee attacks.

Quite possible it was just one of those things that happen sometimes then but ya what Mike said I'm surprised that retribution is limited to melee. Seems like another big advantage to ranged.

Picc wrote: Quite possible it was just one of those things that happen sometimes then but ya what Mike said I'm surprised that retribution is limited to melee. Seems like another big advantage to ranged.

I do agree with that, Ranged has far too many advantages over Melee combat. It would be nice if Retribution Damage affected both equally.

Mike Steele wrote:

Picc wrote: Quite possible it was just one of those things that happen sometimes then but ya what Mike said I'm surprised that retribution is limited to melee. Seems like another big advantage to ranged.

I do agree with that, Ranged has far too many advantages over Melee combat. It would be nice if Retribution Damage affected both equally.

you're right. ranged is just SOOO good, it is insane. and there is no way it can ever be balanced. i think we just need to ban all ranged weapons. it is the only way to actually fix the problem. im sure there isnt anyone out there with a fully kitted ranged ranger build that doesnt use it because the melee build is better*. ranged is too broken for that.

BAN ALL RANGED WEAPONS!



*'better' in this instance refers to the melee build having slightly less to-hit bonus (though still at least +10), while doing more damage with EACH weapon.

Clearly nobody suggested banning ranged weapons.

This would be funny: if a ranged weapon's puck hits a melee puck, the tapped player takes ricochet damage.

Brad Mortensen wrote: This would be funny: if a ranged weapon's puck hits a melee puck, the tapped player takes ricochet damage.

And the monster gets an AC bump for having cover.