Multiple foes with gaze attacks

[Twowolves]

But with the +10' move, skirmish, and Shot on the Run, if they close their eyes they have almost zero chance of picking the right square to counterattack. With a full attacking rogue, they can narrow down the source of the sneak attacking arrows more easily.

 

[Darklone]

And the prize for "post from furthest out of left field" goes to ... DARKLONE!

I thought that trophy was securely stored in hongs wardrobe???

But with the +10' move, skirmish, and Shot on the Run, if they close their eyes they have almost zero chance of picking the right square to counterattack. With a full attacking rogue, they can narrow down the source of the sneak attacking arrows more easily.

A 5ft step is usually too much already to pick the right square. And you don't know that the medusa has sneak attack till it's too late.

Anyhow, I prefer fighter medusas. WS all the way and good BAB. Just four levels to go till RWM!

 

[frankthedm]

They can't meet the gaze of all of them in a round, surely?

As surly as you can claim your dex bonus against all of them.

In 3e there is no rule to determine which way your character is facing. You get to keep an eye on all directions at any given time. You get your spot check regardless of the direction your foe comes at you from. Now that is a Good Thing most of the time. But when the gaze attacks show up, the default of keeping an eye on all directions at any given time IS a Bad Thing. Because the defender is given such a huge benefit of the doubt looking for incoming threats, the onus is now on the potential victim to take a penalty to reduce or avoid the need to save vs. the gaze.

An opponent can avert his eyes from the creature’s face, looking at the creature’s body, watching its shadow, or tracking the creature in a reflective surface. Each round, the opponent has a 50% chance of not having to make a saving throw. The creature with the gaze attack gains concealment relative to the opponent. An opponent can shut his eyes, turn his back on the creature, or wear a blindfold. In these cases, the opponent does not need to make a saving throw. The creature with the gaze attack gains total concealment relative to the opponent.

 

[Piratecat]

Sagiro once did an extremely rat bastardy thing to us with mummies, but it would work really well with gaze attacks monsters as well.

Us: "We come out of the door."
Him: "Roll a spot check."
PC1: "I roll a 14."
PC 2: "I roll a 6."
Me: "I roll a 28!"
Him: "Okay. PC1, make 3 saving throws. PC2, you need to just make 1 saving throw. And Piratecat? You need to make EIGHT."
Me: "Damn!"

Turns out I saw every mummy waiting for us all at once -- and so, 8 saves. Made the people with low spots happy for a chance.

I failed.

Stupid spot.

 

[shilsen]

I thought that trophy was securely stored in hongs wardrobe???

I believe you. Which would mean that you just came out of Hong's closet

You're a braver man than I am, Gungadin!

Sagiro once did an extremely rat bastardy thing to us with mummies, but it would work really well with gaze attacks monsters as well.

Us: "We come out of the door."
Him: "Roll a spot check."
PC1: "I roll a 14."
PC 2: "I roll a 6."
Me: "I roll a 28!"
Him: "Okay. PC1, make 3 saving throws. PC2, you need to just make 1 saving throw. And Piratecat? You need to make EIGHT."
Me: "Damn!"

Turns out I saw every mummy waiting for us all at once -- and so, 8 saves. Made the people with low spots happy for a chance.

I failed.

Stupid spot.

Nice! I'm going to have to remember that. It's even better for me, with a 13th lvl group where three out of the five PCs have Spot check bonuses of +18 or more

 

[borc killer]

Sagiro once did an extremely rat bastardy thing to us with...

Stupid spot.

*pulls out little black book of evil DM tricks and writes furiously*

 

[UltimaGabe]

But with the +10' move, skirmish, and Shot on the Run, if they close their eyes they have almost zero chance of picking the right square to counterattack. With a full attacking rogue, they can narrow down the source of the sneak attacking arrows more easily.

But what's so great about Skirmish and Shot on the Run, when you can just 5-foot step, and get a full attack? Rapid shot and high BAB are kind of a prerequisite for medusa archers. 3 or 4 sneak attacks from each medusa are pretty nasty. Just don't look to see where they came from.

 

[Twowolves]

If you take a 5' step, you are still within a 15' radius area, and AoE spell fodder (Fireball, Web, Evard's Black Tentacles, etc). With a 40' move rate (and assuming the medusa stays within 30' of the victims) she could be anywhere. Dumping a Fireball "20 feet to the left" has no guarantee of hitting the medusa scout.

If you are going to throw multiple medusas, then sure, go the rogue route. If they are so think you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one, it doesn't matter.

 

[MarkB]

If you take a 5' step, you are still within a 15' radius area, and AoE spell fodder (Fireball, Web, Evard's Black Tentacles, etc). With a 40' move rate (and assuming the medusa stays within 30' of the victims) she could be anywhere. Dumping a Fireball "20 feet to the left" has no guarantee of hitting the medusa scout.

If you are going to throw multiple medusas, then sure, go the rogue route. If they are so think you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one, it doesn't matter.

One thing about going for the "completely averting your eyes" option against multiple Gaze attackers is that simply turning your back won't work, unless they're all off to one side - you have to go the whole hog and either shut your eyes or wear a blindfold. That being the case, not only do the medusas have total concealment against you, but so do your allies.

Do you really want to be throwing around area-effect spells at that point?

 

[Darklone]

If you take a 5' step, you are still within a 15' radius area, and AoE spell fodder (Fireball, Web, Evard's Black Tentacles, etc). With a 40' move rate (and assuming the medusa stays within 30' of the victims) she could be anywhere. Dumping a Fireball "20 feet to the left" has no guarantee of hitting the medusa scout.

If you are going to throw multiple medusas, then sure, go the rogue route. If they are so think you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one, it doesn't matter.

Show me the rogue who'se afraid of fireballs