[Clarification] Searing Arrows

Yay for my recent noob streak.
Can I use Searing Arrows to manipulate and extend the range of a unit?

If so, can I use it on a melee unit to give it a ranged attack, or would I be better off using Chaos Morph?

Umm i think searing arrows might work, not sure though, you should test it out, and if not you could always just use the upgrade ability (Long Rifles) and make it so when you use the ability, it upgrades the ability for the player.

That's not quite filling what I need. I need an activation, mana draining ability.

Test it! It would take about 2 minutes to set up a test for it.

I just tested it and it doesn't work on melee units. If you manually cast it, you'll always get a miss. I even tried it with a melee-ranged attack using the type "Missile."

Then isn't that your answer? Actually you haven't tested it with auto-cast or you have (because in your post it's not clear)?

Oh, yeah. The answer is no, it doesn't fit what I need, though apparently it does work to extend the range on already ranged units.

The only thing useful I've found searing arrows to modify is the homing missile property.

Create a unit with a ranged attack type Missile - Splash with splash radius of 1,0,0 and damage of 1.0,0.0,0.0. This unit will shoot projectiles and miss moving opponents (dealing 0 damage every shot). If it uses searing arrows it will never miss.

Thats all I've found to be possible, thus making it possible to have an archer who usually misses moving targets but can have an ability that gives them a no fail shot. Everything else except graphic seems to be entirely controlled by the unit characteristics.

For above: It won't be a no fail shot. There's still evasion chances to account for, and cliff levels. So you can still miss.