Blind Master Prestige Underpowered

[Saber]

I recently picked up "The Quintessential Monk" and took a look at the "Blind Master" prestige class. At first, I though this would be a great, unique spin on the monk class. But after close reading of the class, I can't help but think why any player would ever choose to play this character.
As the title indicates, you need to be blind to enter the class (which is no problem if you have a DM who assists players with character development through his missions). Also, you need the Blind-Fight feat, very helpful is negating some nasty effects of blindness, such as no Dex bonus to AC, and a +2 to attackers.
Yet, when you first enter the class, the first special "power" you get is a +10 on Listen, Concentration, and Move Silently. This is all well and good, but now your stuck with the 50% concealment for EVERY attack, and can only move at 3/4 speed. Sure you can reroll the 50% concealment due to Blind-fight, but thats still a very large miss percentage. Furthermore, being blind causes a character to suffer "-4 penality of most Strength and Dexterity related skills."
None of these penalities are "cured" untill 3rd level of the prestige, in which Blindsight 30' is obtained. Yet I dont see how a monk could go through 2 full levels (most likely 7th and 8th level) while being blind. He would be virtually useless to the party and would most likely never live to use Blindsight.
What are your thoughts on this? Is it at all feasible to play a sucessful Blind Master PC? Or is this one of those classes best left for NPC's?

 

[Crothian]

It's a concept class, not a power gamers class. I think this type of class would be fun to role play and to explore this type of person. The class actually makes playing a blind character feasible since it does give great bonuses to listen and eventually granting the blindsight ability.

 

[Saber]

I agree, this class would be extreemly fun to role-play. Yet I still dont see how the character could be an effective party member with such incredible disadvantages. I truely would love to play this class, for powergaming is the last thing on my mind, but I would hate to basically ask the rest of my party to "protect me for 2 levels untill I can take care of myself in a fight."
I think the DM of this campaign would have to be VERY forgiving to this individual person, and scale his missions down to compensate for the monk, and that seems dumb to do just so one character can "explore this type of person". It's just not fair to the other gamers.

 

[Crothian]

Well, I'd hadle this one of two ways. First, I'd talk to my group and DM and make sure they understand the character and the severe disadvantages. I really don't think a reasonible group would mind as long as your doing something with the character.

The other option it to play a monk that loses his sight somewhere in the course of playing, and then aims towards this prestige class. That way the character is not so much of a hindrance to the group.

 

[Saber]

Yeah, your second solution is what I was leaning towards. I'm currently playing a monk, and am seriously thinking about heading this way.
My DM said it would be no problem to blind me when the time came (that sadistic bastard ). And I'm sure the Palidian of the group would willingly lend all the support he could muster towards me (which, in turn, could make for even more interesting role-playing, if I were to play my character very prideful and attempt to be independent). Yet, those 2 levels of hell would be a true test for our party. It would be an interesting campaign to say the least.

 

[Xarlen]

That does sound kinda harsh.

I'd Love to RP this, though. But, I have a few ideas how you could make this work (pending on how your campaign is).

Assuming a city campaign (or any situation where the badguy is a human with a camp), pose as a blind begger. Or a diplomat. While the party is doing x, distract, or engage with a minor badguy. Even Better, have a stone with Darkness cast on it, and put it in a black-painted vial inside your cloths. If combat looks evident, throw that vial down, and then EVERYONE is in the same boat as you.

 

[BobROE]

That does sound kinda harsh.

If combat looks evident, throw that vial down, and then EVERYONE is in the same boat as you.

Anyone else think "looks" is a poor Choice of word?

 

[Saber]

Hmmm... Very crafty Xarlen. Some darkness spells would prove quite usefull in that situation.
I also like the idea of posing as something I'm not, although that was never my real concern. My only concern with the character was during combat (which is inescapeable in the campaigns my group is use to).
But, as you have illustrated, their are always ways around it. The more I hear, the more I want to play this guy. I have seen the light... er... not seen....but... well, you know.
Keep the thoughts comming guys, and thanks.

 

[Crothian]

Combat will be difficult. You might have the other players try to tell you where the bad guys are. Do you use a combat mat? If so you could role play it by not looking at it and having your character move based only on what the other players tell you. It would be hard, but might be really fun to try at least once.

 

[Xarlen]

Anyone else think "looks" is a poor Choice of word?

I'm nearly blind myself, bucko, so I can make jokes!

Remember, that any cleric shoots a silence at you, you are *gone*. You will be fully blinded (Especially after 3rd level).

However, there is a spell in Magic of Faerun: Blindsight. It imparts 30ft blindsight to the recipient. 3rd level for Wizards, 4th level for Clerics. Lasts 1hr/level. Get that spell for the party wizard, and let him whip up some potions for you, before hand. Drink that before a fight (or at the beginning) and you're gold, baby.

Heck, for an ambush, or for a serious fight, the wizard could cast that on everyone, and then the party starts throwing around Darknness spells. No one's hindered, but the bad guys!

Also, remember with blindsight you can detect invisible or hidden foes, as well as illusions. So, if your party isn't willing to throw support to you, remind them of this fact.