Question for MONTE: Nightsong Enforcer (Dragon #293)

[Wulf Ratbane]

First off, THANK YOU! This is the no-nonsense rogue PrC I have been looking for lo these many months.

I have a question about the Blindsight ability which ends with this curious caveat: "The enforcer does not have to make Spot or Listen checks to notice creatures within range...unless those creatures are actively using the Hide or Move Silently skills."

So either Blindsight doesn't work the way we thought it did, or this isn't "true" blindsight.

Is it possible to "Hide" from creatures with Blindsight?

Or did you "dumb down" the Enforcers' ability?

Wulf

 

[Monte At Home]

I don't know.

I'd love to answer your question, but you'll have to direct it to the editor, Jesse Decker instead. The text you are referring to in the Blindsight description was not there when I turned it over, so it's been added later.

There's probably a good reason for it. Perhaps he felt that it was too good. I'm not sure how move silently applies, though.

 

[Valanthe the Sleepless]

??? How could I have missed that

Hey, Wulf, is this the new issue or the last one that featured the barbarians, druids and rangers? I play a rogue/shadowdancer in Wizardru's campaign and I've been looking for some good PrCs for rogues. I really like Monte's stuff, too. I just picked up blindsight as my latest feat. Any details you can spare about the Nightsong Enforcer?

thanx!

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

It's the latest issue, I just got it today. The cover is about World Building. (Barbarians was last issue.)

Monte-- thanks for the quick answer. I'll just direct my DM here and see if he'll let me play it as regular Blindsight-- since you wrote it that way.

The Nightsong Enforcer is exactly what I have been looking for-- basically, a thug. A rogue with all of the burglar type stuff stripped away.

You keep the sneak attack (that's key), but lose Uncanny Dodge. Skill points drop down to 4+Int, and the more "thiefly" skills are removed-- no Pick Pockets, Bluff, Innuendo, that kind of thing.

There are a few cool abilities added, however, that hint at the Enforcer's role in ambush tactics. They can keep tabs on their teammates (even when hidden), and they are good at locating their "prey."

Just... just beautiful.

Requirements are fairly easy as far as crunchy bits (2 skills, 2 feats), but you'll have to spend some time training with the organization and be willing to turn over 10% of your take.

Wulf

 

[vox]

Hide vs. Blindsight

Well, Monte knows best, but I always figured that hide would work against blindsight. The DMG specifically mentions that Blindsight negates invisibility but doesn't mention hide. And really, if I sneak into a room and hide under the bed or in a closet I wouldn't think that blindsight automatically negate that. But I guess that might be more along the lines of having cover instead of using hide. Well I'd rule it that blindsight eliminates shadows, making it difficult but not impossible to hide.

If a rogue spider climbs above someone and hides in the corner of the ceiling behind a gargoyle w/90% cover, I don't think a person w/blindsight would automatically detect them. I'd give them a spot roll w/o any penalties for poor light. Even w/blindsight you still have to look in the right places.

vox