How do you handle gaze attacks in total darkness?

[AxeMental]

Do gaze attacks from Medusa etc. work with infravision, or is light required? My impression is that light is req.

[Chainsaw]

Do gaze attacks from Medusa etc. work with infravision, or is light required? My impression is that light is req.

Stupid question.. does the gaze attack depend on:

a) the creature seeing you
b) you seeing the creature's eyes
c) both your and the creature's eyes connecting at the same time.

[deathanddrek]

I'd rule that infravision is enough to get you in trouble. If certain gaze attacks can get you when ethereal or astral, then infravision (and ultravision) is a no-brainer.

[TRP]

Ultra-vision is enough to get you stoned. For infravision to be sufficient, it depends on how it works in you're game. Modern infrared cameras are very clear, and sight like that should definitely be sufficient. Note though, that infravision that worked as well as a modern camera would be capable of detecting undead. If infravision in your game is less precise, then I'd say that it is insufficient for successful gaze attacks.

[AxeMental]

Do gaze attacks from Medusa etc. work with infravision, or is light required? My impression is that light is req.

Stupid question.. does the gaze attack depend on:

a) the creature seeing you
b) you seeing the creature's eyes
c) both your and the creature's eyes connecting at the same time.

You didn't get the memo, there are no stupid questions, only stupid people.

Seriously though, I've always wondered the same, and for different creatures it seems like it might be a bit different (a medusa you have to look at just for a second is enough I think, not sure about basalisk -legend).

[T. Foster]

I'd rule that infravision (or ultravision, should it ever be relevant) is sufficient for a gaze attack to work. In order for them to remain a credible threat it pretty much has to work that way (and the fact that the rules specifically state that gaze attacks penetrate into the ethereal and astral planes shows that the intent of the designers was to increase, not decrease, their threat).

[AxeMental]

I'd rule that infravision (or ultravision, should it ever be relevant) is sufficient for a gaze attack to work. In order for them to remain a credible threat it pretty much has to work that way (and the fact that the rules specifically state that gaze attacks penetrate into the ethereal and astral planes shows that the intent of the designers was to increase, not decrease, their threat).

What about the questions proposed by Chainsaw IYO?

[T. Foster]

I've always understood (and played) with Chainsaw's option b as the correct answer, unless specifically stated otherwise in the monster's description.

[genghisdon]

infra or ultra vision are good enough for me. being in a darkness spell would prevent them however.

[ken-do-nim]

I've always understood (and played) with Chainsaw's option b as the correct answer, unless specifically stated otherwise in the monster's description.

Right, like for arch-devil fear gaze, it is who they look at.

[AxeMental]

I've always understood (and played) with Chainsaw's option b as the correct answer, unless specifically stated otherwise in the monster's description.

Right, like for arch-devil fear gaze, it is who they look at.

The silent halfling thief with a ring of invisibility nimbly turns the corner and comes face to face with a medusa. He fails his save and suddenly turns into a lovely invisible stone towel holder. The medusa may never be aware of what she did. This is what you guys are saying correct? Its an attack, but not one that she has to direct.

[Matthew]

I treat it as a directed attack, so it is like Clash of the Titans when Medusa's eyes glow.

[T. Foster]

The silent halfling thief with a ring of invisibility nimbly turns the corner and comes face to face with a medusa. He fails his save and suddenly turns into a lovely invisible stone towel holder. The medusa may never be aware of what she did. This is what you guys are saying correct? Its an attack, but not one that she has to direct.

That's exactly how I'd run it.

[ScottyG]

If you use what I consider the most well known version of the Medusa myth, the turning to stone was not an attack, it was the result of a curse placed on Medusa. She was made so hideous that just viewing her face would turn someone to stone. With that model there is no 'gaze attack'. The silent halfling thief would be turned to stone just by viewing the medusa's face. I'd probably have the statue visible thoough; IMO the transformation would cancel the effect of the ring, since there really would no longer be a ring, just more detail on the statue. That's how I handle the medusa, but in some cases I think 'gaze attack' would be appropriate.

[AxeMental]

If you use what I consider the most well known version of the Medusa myth, the turning to stone was not an attack, it was the result of a curse placed on Medusa. She was made so hideous that just viewing her face would turn someone to stone. With that model there is no 'gaze attack'. The silent halfling thief would be turned to stone just by viewing the medusa's face. I'd probably have the statue visible thoough; IMO the transformation would cancel the effect of the ring, since there really would no longer be a ring, just more detail on the statue. That's how I handle the medusa, but in some cases I think 'gaze attack' would be appropriate.

Great point, the ring would turn to stone, so there would be no ring (the same would be true if he had drunk the potion). Perhaps if the adventurous fellow had had the spell cast upon him?