Bonus for blind character

[Coredump]

One of the characters died. So my player is started a new one this week. He is a Snake Shaman.

While I have looked over the character sheet and all that.... he informed me tonight that the Shaman is supposed to be blind. It is just part of his character concept. (I think the idea is that since snakes don't blink, he doesn't blink, and thus went blind....but not sure yet)
He did take Blind fighting as a feat.

I was trying to decide if I should give him something as a perq for deciding to be blind. He hasn't asked for anything... I was just thinking about it. What do you think?


(OTOH, I 'goofed' when I had him roll new stats, and his stats are now the best in the party, but not sure if that is enough of a difference to offset being blind.)

 

[Mark]

I was trying to decide if I should give him something as a perq for deciding to be blind. He hasn't asked for anything... I was just thinking about it. What do you think?

Nope. Give nothing extra.

 

[Psychotic Jim]

He'll get somewhat of a boost in being immune to gaze and other sight-based attacks. IIRC, there was some feat in some book that gave a character very limited blindsight (5' I think). You might also go with the "blind mystic" archetype and allow the character to have some divination psionic powers (or maybe a wild talent) or have a psychic skill from the Psychic's Handbook.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Personally, I wouldn't go out of my way to give any kind of bonuses or immunities. Let the player think about the implications of such a character.

 

[the Jester]

Nope. Give nothing extra.

Word.

I love the player for taking this on without having his eyes hacked out (that's what it took imc).

However, if he chooses to do it, don't throw him a steak for it or anything. I suspect he's looking forward to the challenge.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

I'd give him advice:

"Don't put too many points into the Spot skill. Perhaps favour Listen instead?"

 

[Three_Haligonians]

It depends on...

...how long the character has been blind.

The blinded condition on pg 300 of the 3.5 DMG lists all the penalties associated with being blind. There is more to it than just the regular "combat-oriented" stuff such as -2 to AC, everyone has total concealment, etc. It also gives you a -4 penalty to Search checks and on "most strength and dexterity based skill checks" as well has force the character to move at half-speed, and a few others.

But it also says that a character who has been blind long enough can overcome some of these problems and that it falls under the DM's discretion.. and that's you. So I would suggest finding out how long the player thinks his character has been blind and then go from there.

However, I mostly agree with the others here, don't give anything that isn't strictly removing one of the penalties listed in the condition itself. If he wants to be an "all sensing mystic" let him spring the 9,000 gp for a Blindfold of True Darkness.


(oh.. I also suggest looking for one of the threads here at ENWorld that discusses the Blindfold in great depth.. probably worth your while in case it comes up later.)

J from Three Haligonians

 

[wingsandsword]

I'll disagree here and say let roleplaying and character concept triumph over rules. If a blind shaman was a PC's concept, if he was completely physically blind (and a simple Remove Blindness wouldn't take care of the problem) and he had been blind for years I would probably allow him to have Blindsight 5' Radius as a bonus feat (with the understanding that if he ever regained is sight, by Wish or other reasons he would lose it).

Even if you're balance minded, he's useless at range, 5' of blindsight is pretty weak, and he might be able to see through concealment or invisibility, but he's paying a very high price for that.

 

[Elrik_DarkFury]

If you are playing with minis:
During combats blindfold the player (or just get him out of the table ) so that he can't see the exact location of his enemies at the gaming table.

The player will have to base his actions on your descriptions and his intelligence instead of just looking at the gaming table and then trying to "fake" his actions to be similar to those of a blind person (something that can become tiresome and limiting for the player).

In our games we use to remove invisible opponents' minis from the table.If the character is blind,why not doing the same?

Of course i know , not many would do that but it certainly worths trying even just for once IMHO.

____________________
The Wizard

 

[Coredump]

Wow, you guys are hardcore...

Just wanted to restate, he has not asked for anything in return; I am just concerned that he will be close to useless.

Of course, being a shaman, he gets an animal companion, so through that bond....hmmmm....


Where is the Blindsight 5' radius located. (book). I might at least make that available to him for a later feat.