Blind?

[molonel]

So yesterday, Grond, my half-orc Barbarian 2, Fighter 1 got blinded. Permanently. I must confess, I've never played a blind character in D&D miles from healing of any kind. So I'm up for some interesting sessions. The elven bard has become my companion, and tells me where to swing. We had some good roleplaying with our characters sitting around the fire tapping him with a 10' pole, and trying to get Grond ready to fight if he needs to.

So what are the mechanics of playing out blindness, though. I have Uncanny Dodge, so I'll still get my Dex to AC. But as I understand it, it's a 50 percent miss chance on any attacks (I'm taking Blind Fight as my 3rd level feat, since I just leveled), and everyone gets a +2 (+4?) to hit me.

Can you still use a shield if you're blind? Are there any other rules for blindness that I'm missing?

 

[Darklone]

Slower movement.

 

[starwed]

Can you still use a shield if you're blind?

By the RAW, yes. Your shield bonus contributes to your flat-footed armor class, after all.

Some DMs houserule that you can't use your shield in less you're aware of the attack, but since you have uncanny dodge even that shouldn't matter.

 

[Dross]

Look at the rules for moving/fighting in total darkness. Miss chances, AoOs etc.

At DM's discretion:
Circumstance bonus to listen and or search (as part of the other senses kicking in to compensate) and you may require listen checks to here your buddy's calls.

modifiers to some skills: ride for instance

Spot become search/listen where appropriate.

A lot of other skills become problematic when there is no sight: Craft (although I know a blind carpender), Survival etc

Have/create house rules for this circumstance.


Also look for ways to use smell (as oppoesed to Scent)

 

[Infiniti2000]

Slower movement.

The bigger impediment that this causes, btw, is that you can no longer take a 5ft-step.

 

[Darklone]

In which storyhour there was that blind barbarian?

 

[lukelightning]

For me, this would be easy. It's called "make a new character."