Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WCH 04-02-05, 07:50 PM	Simple question... for a basilisk's gaze attack to work, do you need to look at it? If not... what result on Knowledge (arcana) would allow the PCs to know that? Situation is a party of 4 (Favoured Soul 3, Bard 1/Swashbuckler 2, Rogue 3 and Barbarian 3) ordered to get rid of the creature that's attacking a chicken farm in the area, by a man who wants them dead and figures the basilisk will take them out.
Megrim_Lord 04-02-05, 08:00 PM	for a gaze attack to work the basilisk must take a standard action to target the PC and have the gaze take effect, just looking at the creature doesn't invoke it's gaze
Burgundy Lotus 04-02-05, 08:44 PM	I'd say you don't have to be looking directly at the thing for it to work. So a DC 16 (10 + Monster HD, I believe) check would reveal that, I think it would be one of the more commonly known things.
Arrowhen 04-02-05, 08:50 PM	for a gaze attack to work the basilisk must take a standard action to target the PC and have the gaze take effect, just looking at the creature doesn't invoke it's gaze Not true. According to the SRD... Each character within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw (which can be a Fortitude or Will save) each round at the beginning of his turn. To avoid the gaze attack... An opponent can avert his eyes from the creature’s face, looking at the creature’s body, watching its shadow, or tracking the creature in a reflective surface. Each round, the opponent has a 50% chance of not having to make a saving throw. The creature with the gaze attack gains concealment relative to the opponent. To further decrease one's chance of meeting the creature's gaze... An opponent can shut his eyes, turn his back on the creature, or wear a blindfold. In these cases, the opponent does not need to make a saving throw. The creature with the gaze attack gains total concealment relative to the opponent. Also... Looking at the creature’s image (such as in a mirror or as part of an illusion) does not subject the viewer to a gaze attack. The creature can also actively use its gaze attack, as follows... A creature with a gaze attack can actively attempt to use its gaze as an attack action. The creature simply chooses a target within range, and that opponent must attempt a saving throw. If the target has chosen to defend against the gaze as discussed above, the opponent gets a chance to avoid the saving throw (either 50% chance for averting eyes or 100% chance for shutting eyes). It is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before its own action and once during the creature’s action. As far as the Knowledge (Arcana) check... In many cases, you can use this skill to identify monsters and their special powers or vulnerabilities. In general, the DC of such a check equals 10 + the monster’s HD. A successful check allows you to remember a bit of useful information about that monster. That would make it a DC 16 check for the basilisk.
JKnight 04-02-05, 08:53 PM	Arrowhen was very thorough. I think that covers everything you need in your question. For thoroughness, I think I'm going to send Arrowhen my "admiration" if that is still going on. I think it must be, as I'm still receiving them. JK
Arrowhen 04-02-05, 09:03 PM	Awww, thanks... I knew all those years of intensive copy/paste training would finally pay off some day.