Questions about Gaze

[Verequus]

I've read the entry in the SRD and leaves three questions open:

1. Is a Gaze attack dependant on having eyes? Or can even an ooze use an gaze attack?
2. Is Gaze automatic all the time? If you would need eyes, then would the Gaze cease functioning, if you are asleep?
3.

Unless specified otherwise, a creature with a gaze attack can control its gaze attack and “turn it off ” when so desired.

How fast can this be done?

I've seen "Narrowed Gaze", which can only function, if 1. is no and 2. is yes, but I'd like to have a clarification. Thanks in advance!

 

[Darklone]

I think you need to have eyes.... since you can use it as an attack as well, e.g. you look at something directly.

You can turn it off, at least in several NPC descriptions the medusas do that (or wear a veil).

How fast... I'd say you need to wear something like a veil or blindfold.

 

[Li Shenron]

1. Is a Gaze attack dependant on having eyes? Or can even an ooze use an gaze attack?

In short, yes you need eyes to gaze. And the target needs sight to be affected by gaze.

If you want a creature to have a sort of attack based on its overall horrifying appearance, but the creatures doesn't have eyes, you can make it work like a gaze ability (from the target's POV, but not from the creature's POV), just don't call it "gaze"

I could picture an ooze so revolting that everyone looking at it makes a Fort ST or is nauseated, for example.

2. Is Gaze automatic all the time? If you would need eyes, then would the Gaze cease functioning, if you are asleep?

As a rule of thumb I think that if the creature closes its eyes or sleeps or falls unconscious, the gaze is suppressed.

3. How fast can this be done?

This is very uncertain... one could read this sentence as the ability to simply be able to make your gaze harmless instantly.
Another one could interpret it as similar to suppressing any supernatural ability (I don't remember, does it take a standard action?).
Or you could just decide it means that the creature can divert its eyes or outright close its eyes, effectively turning it off but also not being able to see anymore.

By the RAW I think it probably means the first, that it takes no time. Probably up to you to choose whether it can be done on your turn only or also on someone else's turn, in case it happens to matter.

 

[Verequus]

Okay, I take the route of "You have to have eyes.", but...

This is very uncertain... one could read this sentence as the ability to simply be able to make your gaze harmless instantly.
Another one could interpret it as similar to suppressing any supernatural ability (I don't remember, does it take a standard action?).
Or you could just decide it means that the creature can divert its eyes or outright close its eyes, effectively turning it off but also not being able to see anymore.

By the RAW I think it probably means the first, that it takes no time. Probably up to you to choose whether it can be done on your turn only or also on someone else's turn, in case it happens to matter.

... if I follow your interpretation, then the feat "Narrowed Gaze" (in Savage Species and in Serpent Kingdoms (?) ) would be pointless. Suppose, I have Gaze and I'm having a big fight with a few friends. Can I switch instantly Gaze on and off, in order to save my friends from the effects? Or is it to hectic without a special training (and thus it is represented by a feat)?

 

[Li Shenron]

Okay, I take the route of "You have to have eyes.", but...

... if I follow your interpretation, then the feat "Narrowed Gaze" (in Savage Species and in Serpent Kingdoms (?) ) would be pointless. Suppose, I have Gaze and I'm having a big fight with a few friends. Can I switch instantly Gaze on and off, in order to save my friends from the effects? Or is it to hectic without a special training (and thus it is represented by a feat)?

You'd have to explain me how the feat works because I don't have Savage Species . IIUC, it lets you avoid hitting your friends with your own gaze?

In any case, in my interpretation I didn't absolutely mean you can choose your gaze to effect the 5 foes but not your 4 friends in the middle of the fight! I meant that you can probably turn the gaze effect OFF, in which case it affects no one; then you can turn it ON again, in which case it affects everyone. If you play without facing, as in core 3ed, that means an all-or-nothing choice.

 

[Verequus]

"Narrowed Gaze" lets the friends unaffected in the middle of a fight, like in my suggested example.

This means, your interpretation is valid regarding this feat, but that doesn't answer the question 3. A free action for turning on respectively off once per round?

 

[Li Shenron]

This means, your interpretation is valid regarding this feat, but that doesn't answer the question 3. A free action for turning on respectively off once per round?

It is not said anywhere, so it must be up to the DM.

One could rule that if you turn it off by closing your eyes it's a free action, but you obviously cannot see.

Or you could rule that you cannot turn it off as a free action without the need to close your eyes at all.

Or you could require some specific action to turn it off, either a move action or a standard action, depending on how difficult you intend to make it... it could be similar to turning off your spell resistance or dismiss a spell for example.

If I had to choose, I'd go with either the first or the second, depending on the creature.