Playing a blind character...

[Gaiden]

You realize that's like saying a dead character is better off because he cannot be killed, right?

Not quite following you there Shadowdweller.

 

[gamefiend]

was thinking about this a little more...you know why blind characters in fiction are cool?
Because they sacrifice a common mode of perception for another. Daredevil has radar sense, Jordi (sp?) has his funky visor, zatoichi (which I mentioned before) has excellent hearing and touch (he's an incredible grappler as well).

These heroes are "blind", but they can still see. None of them would be heroic if they didn't swap sight for something else. You need perception to deal with the world, but for fantasy you don't need sight.

So, in constructing a blind mage, you need to talk to your DM about giving him something else to compensate. It could be a 'radar' sense, or maybe your character is dependent on some item (depending on your level, a robe of eyes?) or maybe a staff that imbues you with clauraudience/clairvoyance.

You could probably construct a blind hero template to apply to characters.

 

[Arravis]

I'm still amazed that no one has answered the original post:
"The condition of Blinded mentions that some of the drawbacks can be overcome over time... anyone have an idea of how this could be interperted and implemented?"

There seems to be mainly a steady stream of complaints, what's the deal?

As far as the character staying blind, it's something that's not likely to be cured. The campaign is set in a VERY low magic setting (you could count the number of casters that still exist in one hand) in the late stone age/early bronze age of a mostly desert world. The magic system is similar to the defiler system used in Dark Sun.

This is all besides the point, I'm just trying to find out the answer to the question of what drawbacks of Blindness can be overcome over time. I'm not looking for approval.

I stress: I have no problem with the "hassle" of being blind, and neither does the DM. I have no problem with the character being nowhere near as effective as the others in the party. I have no problem with it being difficult or a "pain". I am certain with the proper spells, cleverness, and imagination, I'll be able to do just fine and have a good time.

As far as the reasons why the character is blind, I suspect it's a much longer story than anyone here has time for. It would take ALOT of writing (and reading for you) to go into the history of the events that have led up to this. And, it's besides the point to the query at hand.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

There seems to be mainly a steady stream of complaints, what's the deal?

The deal is that having a blind character, in my experience, tends to be fun and entertaining for the player of the blind character and the DM, but largely a hassle for everyone else.

And, even then, it gets old for the DM, eventually, too.

There are corner cases - where it adds a great deal to the roleplay, and everyone enjoys it - but they are in the vast minority, IME.

This is all besides the point, I'm just trying to find out the answer to the question of what drawbacks of Blindness can be overcome over time. I'm not looking for approval.

Well, let's look at the drawbacks, then ...

Blinded: The character cannot see. He takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class, loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), moves at half speed, and takes a -4 penalty on Search checks and on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Spot checks) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) to the blinded character. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.

So, we've got:

1. Can't see.
2. -2 penalty to AC
3. Always denied Dex bonus to AC
4a. Half-speed Movement.
4b. Cannot take 5ft-steps.
5. -4 penalty on Search checks
6. -4 penalty on most Strength-based checks
7. -4 penalty on most Dexterity-based checks
8. Automatically fail vision-based checks and activities
9. All opponents have total concealment

Of those, there is no way to overcome 1, 8, and 9.

Now, you're going to be taking the Blind-Fight feat, right? (Heck, your DM may even give it to you as a bonus feat.)

BLIND-FIGHT [GENERAL]
Benefit: In melee, every time you miss because of concealment, you can reroll your miss chance percentile roll one time to see if you actually hit.
An invisible attacker gets no advantages related to hitting you in melee. That is, you don’t lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, and the attacker doesn’t get the usual +2 bonus for being invisible. The invisible attacker’s bonuses do still apply for ranged attacks, however.
You take only half the usual penalty to speed for being unable to see. Darkness and poor visibility in general reduces your speed to three-quarters normal, instead of one-half.
Normal: Regular attack roll modifiers for invisible attackers trying to hit you apply, and you lose your Dexterity bonus to AC. The speed reduction for darkness and poor visibility also applies.
Special: The Blind-Fight feat is of no use against a character who is the subject of a blink spell.
A fighter may select Blind-Fight as one of his fighter bonus feats.

This feat partially ameliorates 3 and 4a.

It also deals with 2, since the penalty to your AC is equivalent to the bonus an invisible attacker would normally receive (and which they don't when striking a blind target).

Therefore, 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 are covered. This leaves us with:

4b. Cannot take 5' steps
5. -4 penalty on Search checks
6. -4 penalty on most Strength-based checks
7. -4 penalty on most Dexterity-based checks

I can see allowing someone who has lived with blindness a long time the ability to take 5' steps.

As for the rest of these, I can see lessening the penalties on them - though likely never to less than -2 (equal to "Unfavorable circumstances"). You'll still always miss the visual clues that would alert you to a trap's presence, you'll still have trouble deciding exactly when to jump when you're trying to cross a chasm, etc.

Does that help?

EDIT:

Thanks to Infiniti on the 5' step catch.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Patryn,

Is your sig on purpose, or did a mod play a prank on you? In either case it adds little to your posts. I find myself wincing when I see your name, and it is not because I find your ideas or their expression unpleasant; it's because I've associated your name with that blasted sig.

 

[Archade]

I have a suggestion for implementation.

If you play with miniatures, leave off where the blind guy is. That way, he doesn't have a frame of reference (much like a blind person), but doesn't slow down play for the other players.

Of course, if he isn't looking, make sure the PCs know where he is ... ;>

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Patryn,

Is your sig on purpose, or did a mod play a prank on you?

Totally on purpose.

It's a continuation of an April Fools' joke - and I'm not the only one who has it, just the most visible. Additionally, my .sig is still shorter than some others, and isn't multicolored, either.

If that's enough to make you dislike reading my posts, well, then ... :shrug:

 

[Infiniti2000]

Excellent post by Patryn. I'd suggest splitting up #4, though, into

4a. Half-speed Movement.
4b. Cannot take 5ft-steps.

Note that Blind-Fight will partially ameliorate 4a, but not 4b.

 

[Darmanicus]

I'm still amazed that no one has answered the original post:
"The condition of Blinded mentions that some of the drawbacks can be overcome over time... anyone have an idea of how this could be interperted and implemented?"

I apologise, sorry to have waffled on about something totally unrelated.

 

[dedicated]

You can find rules for how many spellbook pages each part of the body is worth in Complete Arcane

If you go to high levels it won't be enough:\