*Blind* house rule

[Kiren]

I had this idea, some people want to play blind characters but will have a problem with seeing (obviously) so for chars that started out as blind *not through a event in play* replace spot with sixth sense. this is only for chars that start blind for rp reasons, encouraging more rp options. This could be tweaked for deafness by changing the name.

[AugustNights]

Problem is really mechanics of some spells are based on sight.

I.e. Invisibility, or really any illusion spell.
Where as while a wall of force is invisible, it would block most other senses.

Sight is light reception, and there isn't much save for magical eyes that could really mimic that as far as senses go.

Also this sixth sense would probably be ubiquitous, which sight is not.

...
In my opinion,
As far as flavor is deamed, this could possibly be a far trade... but there ought to be a little more ruling than "Not Actually Blind."

This has been hashed out a bunch, on a lot of Homebrew forums, I'd suggest you dig around for some blindness flaws or traits. Or perhaps look into the Grimlock. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/grimlock.htm) for some Dare-Devil like blindness.

[Debihuman]

You might want to check on the rules already in existence on this subject


From the SRD:

Blinded

The character cannot see. He takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class, loses his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), moves at half speed, and takes a -4 penalty on Search checks and on most Strength- and Dexterity-based skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Spot checks) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) to the blinded character. Characters who remain blinded for a long time grow accustomed to these drawbacks and can overcome some of them.

Blindsight And Blindsense

Some creatures have blindsight, the extraordinary ability to use a nonvisual sense (or a combination of such senses) to operate effectively without vision. Such sense may include sensitivity to vibrations, acute scent, keen hearing, or echolocation. This ability makes invisibility and concealment (even magical darkness) irrelevant to the creature (though it still can’t see ethereal creatures and must have line of effect to a creature or object to discern that creature or object). This ability operates out to a range specified in the creature description.

The creature usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice creatures within range of its blindsight ability. Unless noted otherwise, blindsight is continuous, and the creature need do nothing to use it. Some forms of blindsight, however, must be triggered as a free action. If so, this is noted in the creature’s description. If a creature must trigger its blindsight ability, the creature gains the benefits of blindsight only during its turn.

Blindsight never allows a creature to distinguish color or visual contrast. A creature cannot read with blindsight.
Blindsight does not subject a creature to gaze attacks (even though darkvision does).
Blinding attacks do not penalize creatures using blindsight.
Deafening attacks thwart blindsight if it relies on hearing.
Blindsight works underwater but not in a vacuum.
Blindsight negates displacement and blur effects.

Blindsense

Other creatures have blindsense, a lesser ability that lets the creature notice things it cannot see, but without the precision of blindsight. The creature with blindsense usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice and locate creatures within range of its blindsense ability, provided that it has line of effect to that creature. Any opponent the creature cannot see has total concealment (50% miss chance) against the creature with blindsense, and the blindsensing creature still has the normal miss chance when attacking foes that have concealment. Visibility still affects the movement of a creature with blindsense. A creature with blindsense is still denied its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class against attacks from creatures it cannot see.

Debby