Blind Characters

[Grealis]

Hi.

Has anyone ever seen any rules for D&D/D20 on how to handle the situation when a player wants to play a blind character. I've done it myself about 10 years ago in the GURPS system, using "disadvantage" rules and I'm much aware of the "flaws" system from Unearthed Arcana. I wouldn't want to dissapoint my player by just saying "No, its too complicated, you can't do it".

Help, anyone?

-G

 

[Zandel]

I Have a player playing a Deaf and Dum character at the minute....He heard his gods voice and it was Auril! Not to mention that he is a cleric with a 1 Dex.

Just play it as it makes sense and don't skimp on the realism. It works best when the other chars have to pay attention to and help out there comrade.

Did I mention that the entire party is evil?

 

[andargor]

A regular Zatoichi in your midst?

Why not even things out with blindsense, and/or even blindsight at, say, 30 ft.? He can't see far, but in darkness he has the advantage.

Andargor

 

[Infiniti2000]

Blindness doesn't really make sense in d20 for long. As soon as he gets 150gp and access to a Temple, he'll get it lifted.

 

[andargor]

Blindness doesn't really make sense in d20 for long. As soon as he gets 150gp and access to a Temple, he'll get it lifted.

Well, theoretically that could only be achieved with regeneration if the character has physically lost his/her eyes.

But if the DM gives blindsense/blindsight as an "evening out" factor, it's no problem if the blindness is cured since the character would be trading those abilities for sight.

Although Zatoichi was reputed to not actually be blind, since he preferred to fight with his eyes closed. That's unbalancing, since he has both normal sight and blindsense/blindsight.

Andargor

 

[Infiniti2000]

Blindsense is arguably much better than regular sight. Blindsight is definitely much better than regular sight. I would not allow it to be just traded out like that. I wouldn't even allow it with a feat. Besides, regenerate is not too expensive. It's only 910gp and easily possible after a level or two, or probably less if his companions help pitch in.

Now, of course, if the PC turns down the offer of eyesight, there's another problem. So, assuming that wouldn't happen, having a blind character really is not possible for long.

 

[andargor]

Blindsense is arguably much better than regular sight. Blindsight is definitely much better than regular sight. I would not allow it to be just traded out like that. I wouldn't even allow it with a feat.

Let's agree to disagree, it depends on the campaign and if it adds a lot of RP value. In outdoor settings, being able to blindsee at only 30 ft. would put the character at a serious disadvantage except at night. Whereas in caverns, he's be a pro all the time.

Perhaps Tremorsense would be another alternative.

Andargor

 

[Grealis]

Thanks guys, but to clear it up a bit...

The idea here is that it's mostly a roleplaying kind of thing. The character is a somewhat "sterotypically" (not oriental) blind monk in a FR setting hailing from the southern lands of Amn. The player is an excellent roleplayer and is trying out something he hasn't done before. The issue is really how to balance it out, i.e. the guy is blind but how do you even it out so that he doesn't "get less" than other players.

Has anybody ever done anything like this before?

-G

 

[argo]

AFAIK there is no official rule that covers this.

Here is what I would do. I'd make the player spend two feats: take Blindfighting as normal and then a second feat for "Uber Special Ability Just For You". I'd give him blindsight with a '5 radius (thus he won't go tripping over chairs and can punch people in melee normally) and then grant blindsense with a 30' radius (thus he can sense when someone enters the room but his ranged combat will suck). I would let the effects of Blindfight extend out to 30' as well, so he gets a 25% miss chance against anyone between 5-30' and doesn't loose his Dex bonus against them. I would also limit his movement to 3/4 speed (though monk levels will make up for that some). Lastly I would make it that both his blindsight and blindsense are explicitly linked to his hearing. Thus a thuderstone or silence spell will put him out of commission and anyone with the Move Silently skill will effectievly have the Hide In Plain Sight ability with regards to him. Rogues will eat this guy alive. Note also that anyone beyond 30' will be invisible to him, archers will laugh as they stand back and launch arrow after arrow.

And of course make it clear that his eyesight may never be restored by anything less than a wish/miracle.

Hope that helps.

 

[Grealis]

Sweet, that sounded quite solid. Thanks man, that's something along the lines of what I was looking for.

-G