Ranged Aiming

[rushblitz]

The formula leaves a lot to be desired, does not indicate where the bonuses play in or the negatives in formula. Anyone have insight on this for open aiming?

This is from Wiki

d100, <= 25 automatic failure
rolling a 1 is a major fumble and shot flies wide of the target, otherwise you just miss your locaton

Base Skill:
Hidden = TRUNC((Perception Ranks + Ambush Ranks) / 2) + TRUNC(Ranged Weapons / 4)
Open = TRUNC(Perception Ranks / 2) + TRUNC(Ranged Weapons / 4)

Location Penalty:
Head: 10
Neck: 12
Limbs: 2
Hands: 5
Torso: 2
Eyes: 20

Penalty = ((3 * Target Level * Location Modifier) / Base Skill)

Target Status:
Prone/Sitting: -10

Size Mod (target):
Tiny: -10
Small: -5
Medium: +5
Large: +15

Spells (on attacker):
607: -20
613: 15 + (Ranger ranks over 13)
404: +5
412: -10
1001: -10

Crossbow:
Standing: +5
Kneeling: +20

+sighting
> 100 = Success
>= 50 minor failure, missed location but shot succeeds
< 50 major failure, shot flies wide of the target


Example: 2x perception + 2x ranged firing from open at left eye. Target is level 100 and normal size (0 modifier)
d100 = 50
Base aim skill = TRUNC(202 / 2) + TRUNC(202 / 4) = 151
Left Eye penalty = ((3 * 100 * 20) / 151) = 39
Area adjusted skill = 151 - 39 = 112
Sighting = 0
Final skill = Adjusted Skill + d100 = 112 + 50 = 162 > 0 = success

[rushblitz]

Could a case be made to not train in ambush at all as a ranger for a sniper. Looking at the formula ambush is just a bonus compared to open aiming. DS pushdown not really needed as ranged already bypasses parry. The return on ambush training is so low, DS is 4 for a crossbow in defensive for 20 ranks and of course AS doesn't kick in until after 40 ranks.

Also notice the HUGE aiming bonus 613 gives. I wouldn't suggest a rogue skip ambush but with 613 giving that big of bonus training in it saving training points to put somewhere else.

[Tgo01]

Could a case be made to not train in ambush at all as a ranger for a sniper.

I thought ranged AS from ambush is (ambush ranks - 40) / 4. Unless I'm misunderstanding something here.

[rushblitz]

What I'm trying to say is that ambush train isn't worth it even for a sniper. 15 AS at cap, meager DS, slight aiming bonus hiding. Only thing is DS pushdown but as a ranger we have sounds and tangleweed for that to lower DS if not stance. 300/300 training points can go elsewhere for the 1-100 trip. Post cap do whatever. Aim will be more than fine as well.

[Tgo01]

15 AS at cap

Isn't it 40 though?

[mgoddess]

Isn't it 40 though?

It is 40, since Rangers can 2x Ambush... 202-40=162, 162/4 = ~40.

[rushblitz]

Single train 100-40 = 60 / 4 = 15, 300/300 training points
Double train ambush 200 - 40 = 160 / 4 = 40 900/900 training points

physical points 900/2 = 450 mental + 900 = 1350 total mental points / 34 double spell cost = 39 spell ranks

The 900/900 training points could be 39 spell ranks instead. So is 40 AS or 40 spell ranks better? Since open aiming will cap and ambush is just a bonus according to formula that does not help ambush situation at all. DS? 40 spell ranks easily beats any ds gained from ambush.

[Ralk]

I had the same take as you, rushblitz. I was already skipping ambush as an open archer but always assumed I would 1x ambush if I switched to sniper. And I was very much considering that after PSM3 hits with the 1-second hide times.

But, now ambush looks completely unnecessary for aiming. It seems to be nothing more than a very expensive AS boost for both open archer and sniper alike.