D&D 4E 4e - blind and friend or foe

[Shades of Eternity]

I want to get an opinion something

if a character has an area affect attack that he uses when blind ...can the character differentiate between friend and foe?

 

[Droogie128]

I want to get an opinion something

if a character has an area affect attack that he uses when blind ...can the character differentiate between friend and foe?

Yes. There's no rule saying otherwise. All that blind does is give you a -5 to melee and ranged attacks, you grant CA, and take a -10 to perception checks. That is it. It doesn't effect movement or anything else, either.

 

[OnlineDM]

Keep in mind that if you're blind (or your foe is invisible), you still know where everyone on the battlefield is (friend and foe alike) unless they successfully make a stealth check to become Hidden from you. More on that here.

The other effects from being blind are that you can't flank and you can't take opportunity attacks (you have to be able to see your enemy in order to make an opportunity attack against them).

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

The other effects from being blind are that you can't flank and you can't take opportunity attacks (you have to be able to see your enemy in order to make an opportunity attack against them).

I don't think this is strictly true... I was digging around looking for this a few weeks ago.

I agree that you need to see something to make an opportunity ATTACK, as "visible" is one of the requirements. However, I can see no such requirement for opportunity ACTIONS, even ones that let you make an "attack".

 

[DracoSuave]

I don't think this is strictly true... I was digging around looking for this a few weeks ago.

I agree that you need to see something to make an opportunity ATTACK, as "visible" is one of the requirements. However, I can see no such requirement for opportunity ACTIONS, even ones that let you make an "attack".

*cough* he didn't say you couldn't take opportunity actions *cough*

The rest is true, you still have your other senses and you have every ability to discern where everyone else is. However, stealth checks do not cost actions and when the one person you can make them against has -10 to their passive perception why wouldn't you!?!.

Powers you have that target allies or enemies work exactly the same tho. And your allies aren't likely to make stealth checks against you.

 

[Aulirophile]

And your allies aren't likely to make stealth checks against you.

Wouldn't matter, stealth specifically hides you from enemies. You can't ever hide from your allies.

 

[the Jester]

Wouldn't matter, stealth specifically hides you from enemies. You can't ever hide from your allies.

Interesting. Mark this down as one 4e's weird "no friendly fire" rules, and one that I'll ignore.

 

[DracoSuave]

Interesting. Mark this down as one 4e's weird "no friendly fire" rules, and one that I'll ignore.

I'd choose not to hide from my allies anyways, it's not like there's an advantage to it.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Actually a good rule:
you could read it as. If you chose to hide from an ally, you must first chose to be his enemy...
which makes you automatically a target of friendly fire...

 

[Matt James]

When these questions come up, I often ask: What do you think would provide the most fun and enjoyment?

Once you answer that, there's the best answer. I've never been a big fan of adhering to strict rules when it comes to role-playing games.