How many eyes can an eye tyrant use?

[Vahktang]

So, our heroes next week will encounter a beholder.
I remember way back that only, like D4 random eye stalks could be used to one side.
What is it now a days?
Since there is no facing, can the critter use all his eye stalks all around at once?
Have the Anti magic eye in front and shoot with the other stalks to the side?
Thanks for the input.
And any experiences will help.

More later,

Vahktang

 

[ken-ichi]

Sorry if any of this is wrong, at work and the SRD does not have the beholder.

I seem to remeber that a beholder can aim any 3 eye stalks in a single 90 degree arc. It can change which 3 are aiming in that arc on its next round.
All of the beholders eye stalks can point straight up. It is bad to get caught by the telekinesis effect and lifted over the beholder where he can play with you.
It also chooses to close its central eye or direct it in a direction.

That is pretty much it I think. No more random number of stalks each turn.

 

[Scharlata]

[...] Since there is no facing, can the critter use all his eye stalks all around at once? [...]

Hi!

Don't forget that according to the FAQ (June 2004) using the eye rays is a free action.

Kind regards

 

[shilsen]

Hi!

Don't forget that according to the FAQ (June 2004) using the eye rays is a free action.

Kind regards

FAQ? The MM already specifies that using the eyes is a free action.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

It can use all 10 eyes (plus the anti-magic cone - which may be counterproductive at times ) at once, in any direction, simultaneously or at different targets. As their eyes are placed on rather prehensile eyestalks, they can look anywhere with them.

But take note, that for some of these, range may be a concern, for others, redundancy (Charm monster and Charm Person) or inability to affect certain targets (fear vs. Paladins or characters with the "fearless" feat ) at all.
The main dangers are Stone to Flesh (for casters) , Disintegrate and Finger of Death - with Slow, Sleep and Inflict Wounds as backups. Telekinesis and Charm Monster are for rather specific situations...
Still, Beholders are major nasties, and can deal out terrible damage very fast. On the other hand, with only AC 26 and just under 100 HP, they are comparativeyly fragile and need to be played and placed cleverly to face any group for long. So if faced with a prepared and clever group, it can be a fun game of "who is smarter".

They should beware of harpoons in combination with Antimagic fields, too (hehe).

 

[Numion]

Excellent tactic against a Beholder is to cast Blindness on it, either right away (if its AM eye is closed), or prepare to cast with the condition the AM eye closes. They have a crappy fort save, and a Blind beholder is a piece of cake.

Of course the Beholder might fubar you before you get the Blindness off ..