What can Blindsight (Thought) perceive?

[Steven "Troll" O'Neal]

Context. I am trying to convert a race that is blind but is described as having a form of telepathic echolocation.

My question is, does blindsight (thought) only allow perception of thinking creatures, or would it allow them to effectively navigate their environment?

[AtlasSniperman]

I would assume that it only allows them to perceive thinking creatures. Thus not showing anything about the environment unless there's some sort of remote accessing of the visual cortex(unlikely).

"Telepathic Echolocation" sounds like they send out psionic pulses that bounce of matter and that informs them as to environment. Sadly I can't think of any way to write that short of "Blindsight(Telepathic Echolocation)"

[Claxon]

The way to do it is to say Blindsight (100ft). You don't have to describe the type of blindsight, even though it's "typical" to do so (according to the PRD).

[ParaheliZ]

It would largely depend on the nature of the sense in question. If it is purely blindsight (thought), then I believe it would only allow them to perceive thinking creatures. Effectively acting like a precise, always-on version of Detect Thoughts.

However, if they are telekinetically inducing vibrations to perceive the environment, then I'd say it should be classified as something more like blindsight (vibration).

Regardless, the only clear restrictions are on the lack of ability to distinguish color and visual contrast, which would prevent you from reading signs and stuff of that nature.

[BigNorseWolf]

I'd imagine you see the critters entire nervous system , since you can see them well enough to target them and defend against their strikes.

Like this

[Ravingdork]

Perhaps you "see" through the thoughts/senses of thinking creatures nearby, allowing you to perceive the environment? For example, you would not get the benefits of another creatures darkvision, but if they we're thinking "table" in a given location, you would know that there is a table there, simply because it was perceived and visualized in the mind's eye.

Or perhaps you simply pick up on the latent psychic energies of creatures long past, allowing you to differentiate between an occupied and unoccupied space?

[Claxon]

Really, it all just depends on what you want the creature to be able to do.

Do you basically just want the creature to be able to see as though they had eyes, except unaffected by light conditions and they do it with their mind and wibbly wobbly bits?

Because if that's the case just give them Blindsight out to a range and be done with.

If you want it be able to be defeated in some ways, or not see all things, then you can refine how you want it to work.

[Steven "Troll" O'Neal]

Ideally, the blindsight would be a replacement for vision. I like what ravingdork said. Its homebrew anyway.