Dang it - I just learned something new about gaze attacks!

[Piratecat]

From the SRD:

Each character within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw (usually Fortitude or Will) each round at the beginning of his turn. . . .

A creature with a gaze attack can actively attempt to use its gaze as an attack action. The creature simply chooses a target within range, and that opponent must attempt a saving throw. . . It is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before its own action and once during the creature’s action.

Unless specified otherwise, an intelligent creature with a gaze attack can control its gaze attack and “turn it off” when so desired.

I had no idea that two saves per round are required. Holy cow. Several of my monsters just got a lot more dangerous. Did anyone else miss this rule, too?

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

Wow...Thanks for pointing that out, I never noticed it before...

*Begins to plot some evil encounter or another*

 

[shilsen]

I've seen this point come up earlier, so I believe a lot of DMs have missed this. I just happen to remember it because I'm been planning a couple of nasty surprises for my players for a long time.

Now the important question is: How many gaze attacks a round does a Medusa Sorceror casting an Eyebite spell get? Mwaahaahaa...

 

[Caliber]

Is an attack action a Standard Action, or one of the attacks you get iteriatively?

 

[the Jester]

Yeah, I knew that... my players were understandably upset by it the first time it came up...

 

[Fade]

An 'attack action' is simply an attack, EG +6/+1. Like for the Trip and Disarm options.

Can you use Rapid Shot with gaze attacks? And perhaps Two Weapon Fighting (two eyes)?

 

[kreynolds]

I had no idea that two saves per round are required. Holy cow. Several of my monsters just got a lot more dangerous.

Yeah. Ugly, isn't it? As dkilgo can confirm...bodaks are nasty.

Did anyone else miss this rule, too?

I certainly did, but I managed to catch it before a gaze attack ever came up in my games.

 

[kreynolds]

An 'attack action' is simply an attack, EG +6/+1.

Nope. An 'attack action' is simply +6. A full-attack action is +6/+1.

 

[Skullfyre]

Can you use Rapid Shot with gaze attacks? And perhaps Two Weapon Fighting (two eyes)?

I would say no.
But then again..... All is possible(especially if it is a Rule Zero)

Even so I would argue it

 

[Croaker]

Would a character using a scrying effect be vulnerable to a gaze attack? For example, a wizard casts clairvoyance to see what is on the other side of a door, and it turns out to be a medusa--is he stoned? If so, would eyebite be an effective response to detecting a magical sensor? Why or why not?