...does the gaze attack automatically fail?
My players blinded a basilisk with glitterdust.
*shakes fist*
If blinding a creature stops a gaze attack, it would probably say so in the rules for gaze attacks, or somewhere in the creatures stat block. It doesn't. The creature still has eyes when blinded and you can still look into their eyes. They only difference it would make is that the creature couldn't actively choose to look at someone with the gaze attack, but there is still the danger of being affected by their gaze. You would have to cover the creature's eyes somehow, which it does specify in the rules.
This is how my GM ruled it when our party fought a medusa, anyway. It seems unfair, but it makes sense. Still, if you're the GM, it's your call one way or the other.
If blinding a creature stops a gaze attack, it would probably say so in the rules for gaze attacks, or somewhere in the creatures stat block. It doesn't. The creature still has eyes when blinded and you can still look into their eyes. They only difference it would make is that the creature couldn't actively choose to look at someone with the gaze attack, but there is still the danger of being affected by their gaze. You would have to cover the creature's eyes somehow, which it does specify in the rules.
This is how my GM ruled it when our party fought a medusa, anyway. It seems unfair, but it makes sense. Still, if you're the GM, it's your call one way or the other.
They don't have to see you, you just have to see them. Same for if you're hidden or invisible. The creature can't see you, but they can still turn you to stone or whatever.