I’m GMing for a group where everyone (including myself) is entirely new to Pathfinder. We had our session 0 recently followed by a quick practice combat. The thing I noticed from that, plus a little theory crafting of building a low level character myself, is that people using ranged combat felt very underwhelming compared to melee weapon users.

  • They couldn’t add any modifier to damage
  • They had far fewer feats upgrading them (particularly compared to dual wielders)
  • They had fewer “third action” options
  • Less ability to help out allies with things like flanking
  • Can’t opportunity attack

Sure, for all that they have the advantage of being safer from getting damaged. But it didn’t really feel like a worthwhile trade-off. Does this get better as you level up? Is it just something caused by inexperience? What options can/should you take to make ranged combat feel more interesting and valuable?

For context, my party had a rogue and a ranged fighter as ranged users, as well as a barbarian and a magus in melee, and a druid and sorcerer as casters.

  • Bolt@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I agree with you. I think it would be a lot more valuable if not for the fact that every attack that doesn’t target you targets another party member. So while yes, you are protecting yourself, pathfinder is a team game and I don’t see how it helps the team.

    In my experience my party’s flurry ranger often does less damage than their companion, which feels like it shouldn’t be the case.