Perception vs. Basilisk


Rules Questions


A series of questions regarding proper use of Perception that came out of a fight in last night's game against a basilisk.

1. The party was fighting in thick forest. The maximum range for Perception is 2d6x10 feet.

a. Does this include both sound and sight?
b. Does this value get re-rolled each time the character moves?
c. Do all characters use the same result or do they have their own individual maximums?

2. The party voluntarily gave the basilisk total concealment by turning their back on the monster to avoid its gaze attack. It engaged one character in melee whilst the others stayed within an Obscuring Mist.

a. What is the correct method of a character pinpointing the square of the basilisk while within the cloud? DC -10 for "Hear the sounds of battle" +20 to pinpoint the square +1/10 ft. distance?
b. Is the basilisk considered invisible to the characters in the Obscuring Mist?
c. If the basilisk was invisible, do you add an additional +20 to this DC?
d. Are the characters in the Obscuring Mist considered blind vs. the basilisk?
e. Is the character with their back turned to the basilisk considered blind?


Nobody? Damn.


1a- I would say yes.
1b- In games I run, yes.
1c- If the part is moving as a unit, I have had everyone roll and use the best perception check at the table.

2a- I have had cunning players and parties use sound alone by taking time out to roleplay practicing audial tells when in trouble(dog barks, things like that). In those cases i would use "sound of battle". At first glance the formula sounds right(see what I did there?).
2b- no. I would rule concealed.
2c- I would, yes.
2d- no, they can still be seen, just not turmed to stone. I would rule they have concealment.
2e- no, they can still see.


You do not want to confuse total concealment and invisibility. If you can't see the basilisk because of fog it has total concealment relative to your character, but it isn't invisible. Invisibility as described under special abilities only applies if someone is literally invisible as per the spell.

Obscuring mists grants total concealment if the target is more than 5 foot away and regular concealment otherwise. As averting your eyes mimics concealment and closing your eyes mimics total concealment I would use the rules given there to adjucate the effects of the mist.

A character within 5 ft. of the basilisk could attack with a 20% miss chance, but its gaze would only affect him 50% of the time.
A character more than 10 ft. away would need to roll perception to pinpoint the basilisk and even if he succeeded the basilisk would still benefit from total concealment. This means any attacks have a 50% miss chance and the character can't use targeted spells and effects. On the bright side the gaze wouldn't be an issue either.

Regardless of distance no character would be considered blind. He would lose any dexterity or dodge bonus to AC among other stuff if his opponent had total concealment against him however.


JDLPF wrote:

A series of questions regarding proper use of Perception that came out of a fight in last night's game against a basilisk.

1. The party was fighting in thick forest. The maximum range for Perception is 2d6x10 feet.

a. Does this include both sound and sight?
b. Does this value get re-rolled each time the character moves?
c. Do all characters use the same result or do they have their own individual maximums?

2. The party voluntarily gave the basilisk total concealment by turning their back on the monster to avoid its gaze attack. It engaged one character in melee whilst the others stayed within an Obscuring Mist.

a. What is the correct method of a character pinpointing the square of the basilisk while within the cloud? DC -10 for "Hear the sounds of battle" +20 to pinpoint the square +1/10 ft. distance?
b. Is the basilisk considered invisible to the characters in the Obscuring Mist?
c. If the basilisk was invisible, do you add an additional +20 to this DC?
d. Are the characters in the Obscuring Mist considered blind vs. the basilisk?
e. Is the character with their back turned to the basilisk considered blind?

1a yes

1b no. The rules are silent, so it is up to the GM. I would go with simplicity.
1c I see it as a feature of the forest so everyone has the same maximum distance.

2a The perception rolls are to notice things. It never says you always get to pinpoint them. I am just pointing this out so that if Paizo ever goes into detail it can be noted. With that aside I am going to assume you allow for sound to pinpoint.
The should only -10 only apply if combat is actually taking place. If init is rolled, but nobody is fighting there should be no penalty. The distance modifier is correct.

2b It is not really invisible so I would say no.

2c If it was yes, but I see it as only having concealment and not being able to be targeted.

2d nope

2e no, but they do lose dex to AC vs the basilisk for as long as they are not able to see it

Bonus: If it can find them I would have it maul.

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