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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sir Brennen" data-source="post: 6371243" data-attributes="member: 553">I do like you having the medusa initiating the attack and the glowing eyes effect (I can picture it perfectly from the original Clash of the Titans; can't remember if the recent CGI debacle did that, which shows how much of an impression it made on me.)  I get that you're trying to mimic the Clash medusa, but in trying to simulate the movie, I think you're introducing a bit too much complication. Also, you're making it a much, much weaker ability. So, I'd almost call your version a Lesser Medusa, not Better.The existing Petrifying Gaze is really like an aura, meaning it doesn't take an action to activate it, leaving the medusa free to also make physical attacks. It affects any creature within 30' of the medusa. Your version the medusa can't do anything else if it uses it's gaze, and it only affects those creatures in the cone area. With the whole "averting gaze" thing, this causes problems within the turn structure of the game, because creatures wouldn't have to close their eyes on their turn, which is when it matters, when they're making an attack. Having "closing your eyes last until your next turn" is kinda lame workaround in a game where much more complex actions than opening and closing your eyes are allowed for free. Why can't I attack with eyes open and close them after?Also, do we have a precedent for "Make a Save of type X. If failed, immediately make another save of type Y. Either save negates the effect"? It's a bit clunky. I think you could achieve the same thing by having the first Dex save result in the stun effect on failure, then at the end of the target's turn, it makes the Wisdom save as an effort of willpower to break eye contact. Failing that turns it to stone. Again, your version is easier to make because you get two saves, and they're both at a lower DC.Ways around this: leave the effect as described in the current 5EB doc, but the medusa has to use an action to initiate it (glowing eyes and all). The effect lasts until the beginning of the medusa's next turn. On a turn it uses it's gaze, it can still make a single melee or ranged attack as a bonus action. If your goal was to turn down the power a bit, give the gaze a recharge (5-6, or 4-6), so players never know when it's safe to open their eyes.Or, if you want to stay with the cone area, allow the medusa to also turn it's gaze ability on any single attacker as a reaction.Of course, remember that the monster in Clash of the Titans wasn't just a medusa. She was THE Medusa. Make her Legendary, with matching actions. She can use the cone gaze version on her turn, or as a Legendary Action on someone else's turn (cost 2 actions?).  She can move (setting up for another gaze attack from a different angle, or against targets that thought they were out of sight.) She can make a regular attack. But for "regular" medusas (medusi?), here's what I would do:Edit: If you don't want to be too cruel, let the "Unless surprised" paragraph stand as is in the current medusa entry, allowing the eye-averting for free.</blockquote>

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