Bodak's Death Gaze [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bodak's Death Gaze [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
morco
01-03-05, 05:22 AM Hi,

I hope the question has not already been made (I searched for it but I didn't found anything).

If a Bodak has been turned by a cleric and it cannot run away, can it use it's death gaze ability while it's still turned?

Thanks
Morco
digoraccoon
01-03-05, 08:45 AM Good question. It may be subject to DM interpretation. I believe a turned creature who cannot run away will cower instead. The way I interpret "Cowering" in my game is that creature is fearing the Cleric and will not look at her/him. So in my game, the Bodak can't readily use his gaze.
Phrennzy
01-03-05, 09:50 AM I don't know - if you are cowering, you might glance in the direction of the cleric just to see if he's still there, which would draw a gaze attack.

The bodak cannot purposely use a standard action to attack with his gaze, but if anyone comes withing gaze range, I'd say there was a 50% chance of them not having to make a check. I'd just describe before hand that the bodak occasionally looks over it's shoulder as it cowers in fear. In this case, you want to make sure the players know the gaze is active.
cwslyclgh
01-03-05, 05:07 PM I would say that the bodak could not purposly use its gaze (as in directly target it), but anybody looking at the cowering bodak would be subject to the gaze attack as is normal for gaze attacks, which requires no effort from the bodak. (See gaze attacks in the MM appendics). I would rule thus because the cowering Bodak would constantly be glancing around itself looking for an avenue of escape.
Selvan
01-03-05, 05:12 PM Does the bodak really have to look, whether the cleric is still there?
In other words: Would a blind undead know that there's someone turning it?

Selvan
Wayward Son
01-04-05, 09:24 AM Does the bodak really have to look, whether the cleric is still there?
In other words: Would a blind undead know that there's someone turning it?

Selvan
Well, it will certainly feel the waves of positive energy that are repelling it eminating from the cleric, so no, it certainly doesn't have to see the cleric.

Hmm, I must remember this for Underdark campaigns. . . .
ServantOfTheLordYawgmoth
01-05-05, 04:44 PM Sure, the Bodak knows the Cleric's there because it can feel the positive energy turning it. However, even if you know an enemy is there, odds are you're going to be looking to see what they're doing. And thus the gaze attack still applies. (This is of course, because, if I remember correctly, the Bodak's gaze attack is a constant. If it had to actually concentrate to use it, it would be unable to do so.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
morco 01-03-05, 05:22 AM	Hi, I hope the question has not already been made (I searched for it but I didn't found anything). If a Bodak has been turned by a cleric and it cannot run away, can it use it's death gaze ability while it's still turned? Thanks Morco
digoraccoon 01-03-05, 08:45 AM	Good question. It may be subject to DM interpretation. I believe a turned creature who cannot run away will cower instead. The way I interpret "Cowering" in my game is that creature is fearing the Cleric and will not look at her/him. So in my game, the Bodak can't readily use his gaze.
Phrennzy 01-03-05, 09:50 AM	I don't know - if you are cowering, you might glance in the direction of the cleric just to see if he's still there, which would draw a gaze attack. The bodak cannot purposely use a standard action to attack with his gaze, but if anyone comes withing gaze range, I'd say there was a 50% chance of them not having to make a check. I'd just describe before hand that the bodak occasionally looks over it's shoulder as it cowers in fear. In this case, you want to make sure the players know the gaze is active.
cwslyclgh 01-03-05, 05:07 PM	I would say that the bodak could not purposly use its gaze (as in directly target it), but anybody looking at the cowering bodak would be subject to the gaze attack as is normal for gaze attacks, which requires no effort from the bodak. (See gaze attacks in the MM appendics). I would rule thus because the cowering Bodak would constantly be glancing around itself looking for an avenue of escape.
Selvan 01-03-05, 05:12 PM	Does the bodak really have to look, whether the cleric is still there? In other words: Would a blind undead know that there's someone turning it? Selvan
Wayward Son 01-04-05, 09:24 AM	Does the bodak really have to look, whether the cleric is still there? In other words: Would a blind undead know that there's someone turning it? Selvan Well, it will certainly feel the waves of positive energy that are repelling it eminating from the cleric, so no, it certainly doesn't have to see the cleric. Hmm, I must remember this for Underdark campaigns. . . .
ServantOfTheLordYawgmoth 01-05-05, 04:44 PM	Sure, the Bodak knows the Cleric's there because it can feel the positive energy turning it. However, even if you know an enemy is there, odds are you're going to be looking to see what they're doing. And thus the gaze attack still applies. (This is of course, because, if I remember correctly, the Bodak's gaze attack is a constant. If it had to actually concentrate to use it, it would be unable to do so.)