The Double Arrow Shot
Another trick that is impressive (though good for little else) is the double-arrow shot. By adding a +1 penalty to initiative and taking a –1 to attack rolls and damage, the archer may fire two arrows from the bow with one pull of the string.
The arrows can be directed toward a single target or at two separate targets within a 60-degree arc if the attacker is willing to take an additional +1 penalty to initiative and another –1 to attack rolls and damage. This reflects the time the archer takes to adjust the fletching and arrange the arrows on the string.
This shot does not allow more than two arrows on a single string. Lastly, if this option is taken, no more than one additional arrow may be fired in the same round.
EXAMPLE: Kanali, a 3rd-level/3rd-level high elf fighter/mage, faces two ogres. She has exhausted her spells and must rely only on her archery skills. Taking two arrows from her quiver, she rips the fletching a bit, nocks them both on the string (taking a +2 to initiative), and lets loose the arrows. To hit the ogres' AC 4, she rolls a 16 and a 13. Taking all her modifiers into effect (+1 for being an elf, –2 for the difficulty of the shot), her total modifier is –1. Her modified rolls are then 15 and 12. Since she needs 13 to hit AC 4, she hits one of the ogres, inflicting 1d6 –2 points of damage. If she had focused both shots on one ogre, the damage would have been greater. She still has one shot left this round, and she'd better not waste it.
Comments