A trait came out in the Divine Anthology called Blind Zeal, I cant find it on the D20PFSRD site people typically link to, and Im unclear on what sites we can link to on this forum.
That aside, looking it up, it states you are blind, further into the trait it states when you gain the ability to see, you lose the benefits of this trait. You regain this trait if you once again become blind.
Does this mean, your character would start at lvl 1 (or whenever you select this trait) blind, could have this cured and not be able to use the feat. Then at a later time he cant see, either from being actually blind, or closing his eyes rendering the character effectively blind for the time, and gain the benefit of the trait?
The long and short being, I want to make a character who uses the Blinded Blade style chain, and Im curious if this will allow it, even if hes not blind until he's willingly in a situation where he and his opponent are both effectively blind. using this trait to get Blind Fighting, rather then taking it as a feat.
I don't believe there are any restrictions on what you can link to here. Here's Blind Zeal at the Archives of Nethys (the preferred reference site of many of us).
Yes, you start blind but can be cured. While you are not blind you lose all benefits of the trait, including the bonus Blind-Fighting feat (and therefore any feats you have that have that as a prerequisite). If at a later time you are blind, not just temporarily unable to see, you regain the benefits. Closing your eyes does not give you the blinded condition, nor does being in deeper darkness, nor fighting an invisible opponent (for which Blind-Fight is invaluable).
You could take the Blinded Blade style chain based on the Blind-Fight you get from the trait, as long as you were blind when you leveled up and took each feat. But the whole thing goes away while you're not actually blind.
TL;DR I don't recommend this strategy.
@Fuzzy
Thanks for the break down, I figured as much but wanted to run it by the forums, greatly appreciate the time taken! :)