Pleas explain how the Medusa's gaze attack works

[d12]

A player in my game is playing a medusa (fully leveled). How does the gaze attack work exactly? Does she risk petrifying her friends? Is it an area effect? Can she affect multiple creature in one round? Can she turn it on and off?

 

[Darklone]

Yes, yes, yes. And yes, Ability Focus is a good idea. Class levels don't count for the DC.

 

[d12]

Could you please be a little more specific?

Also: What about creature who have no eyes? Can they be petrified? what about creatures who have their backs turned?

 

[Darklone]

Check the Gaze attacks chapter in the DMG. You can voluntarily close your eyes, then you're immune, or you can avert your gaze...

 

[Spatula]

This is all in the DMG and the SRD.

Each opponent within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw each round at the beginning of his or her turn in the initiative order. Only looking directly at a creature with a gaze attack leaves an opponent vulnerable. Opponents can avoid the need to make the saving throw by not looking at the creature... <snip>

A creature with a gaze attack can actively gaze as an attack action by choosing a target within range. That opponent must attempt a saving throw but can try to avoid this as described above. Thus, it is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before the opponent’s action and once during the creature’s turn.

You may want to allow the player to wear some sort of veil or mask that inhibits the petrefying gaze. Or not.

 

[RigaMortus]

In the description that was posted, it states that the gaze attack affects "opponents".

 

[Ashardalon]

In the description that was posted, it states that the gaze attack affects "opponents".

But allies might also be affected.

Allies of a creature with a gaze attack might be affected. All the creature’s allies are considered to be averting their eyes from the creature with the gaze attack, and have a 50% chance to not need to make a saving throw against the gaze attack each round. The creature also can veil its eyes, thus negating its gaze ability.