Should Startling / Frightening / Stunning Appearance be negated by Scent and Blindsense?


Ultimate Intrigue Playtest General Discussion

The Concordance

This isn't a clarification thread, but rather a discussion. From Mark Seifter's comments we've gleaned that "unaware" =\= "unaware of your presence". The Appearance abilities are strong combat openers against those you get the drop on, but as is can be completely negated by creatures with Scent or Blindsense. Even though you have Total Concealment when successfully stealthed/invisible against such creatures, you would automatically fail because they can notice your presence without seeing you.

Does this seem balanced? I would like your thoughts and ideas.

Liberty's Edge RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

I'm good with scent and blindsense negating. It's a very powerful opening. I'm good with lots of creatures having a counter. I'm also good with vigilantes being most effective in general against humanoids, since that seems thematic.

Designer

Also, consider building a vigilante with Knowledges (or have a friend with them, or ask the Bat-Computer or something) so you can ascertain the range of those blindsense abilities and strike from just beyond!

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Mark Seifter wrote:
Also, consider building a vigilante with Knowledges (or have a friend with them, or ask the Bat-Computer or something) so you can ascertain the range of those blindsense abilities and strike from just beyond!

A bat-library social talent might be nice, especially if you could get a bat-brarian to help you with your knowledge checks if you know in advance which super-villain you're going to be going face-to-face with...

Liberty's Edge RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

Terminalmancer wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
Also, consider building a vigilante with Knowledges (or have a friend with them, or ask the Bat-Computer or something) so you can ascertain the range of those blindsense abilities and strike from just beyond!
A bat-library social talent might be nice, especially if you could get a bat-brarian to help you with your knowledge checks if you know in advance which super-villain you're going to be going face-to-face with...

Isn't that called social grace? Sure to get religion, arcane, plains, nature, and dungeoneering you have to hit level 17, but you get to build up your library over time. (You'll have to handle local on your own.)

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber
Thrawn007 wrote:
Terminalmancer wrote:
Mark Seifter wrote:
Also, consider building a vigilante with Knowledges (or have a friend with them, or ask the Bat-Computer or something) so you can ascertain the range of those blindsense abilities and strike from just beyond!
A bat-library social talent might be nice, especially if you could get a bat-brarian to help you with your knowledge checks if you know in advance which super-villain you're going to be going face-to-face with...
Isn't that called social grace? Sure to get religion, arcane, plains, nature, and dungeoneering you have to hit level 17, but you get to build up your library over time. (You'll have to handle local on your own.)

Knowledge skills seem like a poor investment, but you're right, it could be done. I was thinking more along the lines of the Sage NPC you can get for 15gp/day.

Scarab Sages

Dampen Presence is clearly valuable to the vigilante. Perhaps a talent that gives the feat for free, and then applies to scent or tremorsense as you level up?

The Concordance

Imbicatus wrote:
Dampen Presence is clearly valuable to the vigilante. Perhaps a talent that gives the feat for free, and then applies to scent or tremorsense as you level up?

This would be very nice for Stalkers especially to help get those d8's rolled.

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