Nikolai Sand's page

Not a problem. After seeing your adaptability with other problems, I trust the game is good hands.

Converting to Pathfinder

Greetings Chris,

I still would very much like to play this build regardless of his handicaps. It may be easier to make him a melee based character with something eventually like this homebrew feat, http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Improved_Blindsense_%283.5e_Feat%29, that allows him to fight very close quarters semi normally. (Although racial feat scent would do similar-good thread link)

Other then that I will have to overcome his vision which is actually one of the most exciting reasons to play him. So don't expect me to whine if a role goes sour, with Acrobatics up to 10 (which is a cool idea) his problems won't spill over to the party. + track by scent.

Even if you choose to go with full blind penalties or not, with blindsense/darkvision plus feats a wisdom based character could go far.

-After reviewing that thread you posted I would probably take several levels of horizon walker to get both blind-fight + Tremorsense but the req would take a touch of investment.

Appreciate you considering this all.

Nik

Nikolai Sand wrote:

That's it for now. I'll think on it also. He could be a normal zen archer who goes blind around the 11th level to work around the team slow down.

I've thought on this some more and done some reading. I like this discussion here Blind Fighter. Especially the talk about whether this is for role playing flavor or combat advantage.

The simple fact is that there are no rules that exist for what you are trying to do in the sense of a compensation for being blind. I chose the Pathfinder Society rules because I like having a defined, limited set from which to work. Rules which to at least some extent have been tested by others. I think you could change the flavor of the rules, but the mechanics will essentially need to stay the same. In games, it's frequently the limitations and restrictions that make the game fun.

That said, I'd be willing to try something simple. Try replacing blindsense 30' for darkvision and see what you can come up with. This would be a hearing based blindsense, so silence & thunderstones would be your nemesis. You will still suffer all the blinded penalties. If chosen for the campaign you would need to choose ways to compensate for it as your character developed. At a minimum, you'll need to get your Acrobatics up to an automatic 10 (which means you'll always be able to move full speed; die roll 1, 1 rank, 3 trained, 4 or 5 from dex, 1 from a trait?). I'd allow any movement that doesn't involve gaps--using your bow esentially as a blind man's cane.

Ultimately any version of this might require a lot of rulings from me that you'd just have to live with.

Appreciate that Chris. These are straight d&d ideas but may cross the margins.

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The blindfold of true darkness: (http://www.imarvintpa.com/dndLive/items.php?ID=2211)

It is 9k so would take some work to get, but not 11 levels worth. Or a limited version for less cash.

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Also - psi power called touchsight (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/touchsight.htm) that gives you a perfect mental map within 60 feet. Craft an item with this enchantment.

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Or - Take Leadership, get a cohort with a high spot check, have him point things out to you that are far away.

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feat called deformity(tongue) from Heroes of Horror, gives blindsense 30ft but has evil and willing deformity as prereq's.

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Hear the Unseen feat, from CAdv, allows you to use a move action and a listen check to pinpoint the location of enemies within 30'. (note that it doesn't actually negate the miss chance) Combined with the Quick Reconnoiter feat, which lets you make a listen check as a free action.

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feat in Magic of Incarnum that grants a limited Blindsense (detects living creatures only unless you have a specific Chakra Bind) as a Move action

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That's it for now. I'll think on it also. He could be a normal zen archer who goes blind around the 11th level to work around the team slow down.

Take care.

http://www.examiner.com/rpg-in-national/playing-blind-characters-d20-role-p laying-games

http://www.enworld.org/forum/d-d-legacy-discussion/298041-3-5-blind-charact er-help.html
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Don't have to read that all, that said, thanks for considering this. I would suffer several levels to rp out the character. That might actually be fun as the skill becomes one of discovery upon finally grabbing blindsense.

Also could find custom item/spell/enchantment that would temporarily overcome the disability. Or trait.

Example - the Mark of the Beast trait could include "scent" or even use a ranger style/wild empathy animal who points to where the enemies are or psychic connection to it's olfactory senses / what the pet smells.

I'd still like to play this build regardless. Little bit of Zatoichi. - could make him a melee monk need be.

This compliments the build I'm going for.. Badass.

Trick Shot (Su) At 11th level, a zen archer may hit targets that he might otherwise miss. By spending 1 point from his ki pool as a swift action, the zen archer can ignore concealment. By spending 2 points, he can ignore total concealment or cover. By spending 3 points, he can ignore total cover, even firing arrows around corners. The arrow must still be able to reach the target; a target inside a closed building with no open doors or windows cannot be attacked. These effects last for 1 round. This ability replaces diamond body.

Since he's blind you could allow this bonus feat early, tweaked for it's applicable level and the 50% miss ratio similar to the ratio that blindsense offers. No biggie. Cheers.

Regardless I like your third level Blindsight/Blindsense idea.

From behind the bar a tall dark man with tatoos covering his arms and neck shouts at Nikolai. "You know I love you Nikolai, but I got too many people here tonight to put up with your antics. We've got lords and ladies about and your muts are displaying better manners than you are. Don't think I won't toss you out the door all the way down to the Slippery Eel."

Continuing to eat oblivious to the tall man's request, Sand slurped happily on a noodle while lifting the bowl right to his mouth. He finally tilted his head and aimed his pincer like utensils straight at his foaming mug as if scolding it.

With eyes closed a quiet, lithe figure laughed to himself while drinking a cup of hot steam. He picked his nose with a pair of strange "chop sticks" and fed the remains to dogs. Blind fool some called the bald man, yet others never made it back to tell story of his arrow's punchline. Nikolai was often found in the Tipped Tankard with the likes of Skie Aldersu or a pack of money grabbing orphans who both abused his charity and somehow aided the curious figure that nursed an ash bow for a cane.

"Mo Rice." Nikolai said mumbling with his mouth stuffed to the nearest canine. It somehow nudged a stolen bowl of steaming hot noodles closer for Sand to enjoy. "Thanks! Timmy's stuck down a well. Go fetch my bib after you find him.."