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I’ve noticed a couple of monsters have Gaze Actions, and Avert Gaze is an Action targets can do, so I was wondering if there would be any codifying on the types of Gaze Attacks as right now they’re a little vague (some listed are described as Auras as well) in how they’re used/triggered.
Basically we have:
Gaze A) Monster sees target.
Gaze B) Target sees monster.
Gaze C) Monster and Target eyes meet.
The Mutilation Demon (Shemhazian) for example seems to possess both A and B.
(aura, divine, enchantment, visual) 30 feet. Any nonevil creature that ends its turn in the aura must attempt a DC 32 Fortitude save. If this creature fails, it's slowed 1 for 1 round, and if it critically fails, it's paralyzed for 1 round. A creature can spend an action averting its gaze (this action has the concentrate trait) to gain a +2 circumstance bonus to its saves against Paralyzing Gaze and Focused Gaze for 1 round.
(concentrate, divine, enchantment, visual) The mutilation demon can focus its gaze on a nonevil creature it can see within 30 feet. If that creature isn't slowed by the mutilation demon's focused gaze, it must attempt a save against the mutilation demon's focused gaze. If that creature is slowed, it must succeed at a DC 34 Fortitude save or become paralyzed for 1 round. A mutilation demon can't use this ability against the same creature more than once per round.
The medusa works exactly the same I note, and it seems pretty clear cut mechanically.
Gazes have two modes, an always on passive aura (could be either gaze B or C depending on your view point) and an active 'stare' (gaze A).
Paralysing gaze is easy, it is actually an aura and triggered by ending your turn within the aura. You must take the action to avert gaze before you end your turn (although you could just move away with that action I guess).
Focused Gaze is an action by the demon like an attack. You don't get a chance to react, you only get the bonus if you averted your gaze on your turn. (what demon would target the guy averting their gaze rather than the guy that isn't! - sucks to be you if you are the only one not averting your gaze)
Is there a gaze attack that works differently?
I interpret the rules the same.
But how do we adjudicate closed eyes?
I can see averting taking an action because you're trying to angle your vision just so, but why not close them? We return to a PF1 problem of open while acting and closed in between. We need another ruling to patch, especially if some gaze attacks only activate at the end of turns.
"Choose at beginning of turn"
Blind is easy, it includes immunity to visual effects. Both gaze attacks have the'visual' tag. If you are open until your eyes on your turn and then closing them, that's averting your gaze in my book, or close enough it amounts to the same thing. If you want to take all the penalties for being blind throughout your turn then I'll consider you immune.