[/quote]
It's really not up there with rocket science levels of physics though, and the same physics actually do apply in game. If a character is behind a barrel, and you're on an even plane, +2 AC for the target. You could still hit them, but it's going to be harder. If you're elevated above the height of the barrel, no more cover advantage, because you can see them just like you could if they weren't and you were on a level plane. You see, when I'm talking advantage here, I'm talking pure visibility mechanics. The game rules apply, but I'm not even concerned with them, I mean, the idea of the thread is to actually use the game's rules, right? I just looked at the more practical application. In the spirit of the thread, this should be celebrated, not used as an example of something bad, right?[/quote]

If you have line of sight .. they do too - no advantage

Shooting up 4 steps is no different than shooting down 4 steps.