"Fighting Blind" Build Ideas for Blind / Blinded Characters

[Alphavoltario]

So I've come across an interesting RP concept regarding being blind, specifically relying on the Vildeis Religion Trait: Blind Zeal.

Blind Zeal:

You are blind but trained by followers of Vildeis to sense your surroundings by sound and touch. You need not attempt a skill check to move at full speed. You take a –4 penalty from blindness on only Acrobatics, Ride, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth checks. You gain Blind-Fight as a bonus feat. You lose the benefits of this trait whenever you can see, but regain them if you once again become blind.

Offsetting the penalties at later levels with things such as [Blind Blade Style]

Blind Blade Style:

You hold no fear of blindness, as your other senses improve without the distractions of sight.

Prerequisite(s): Blind-Fight, Perception 5 ranks.

Benefit(s): While you are using this style, you gain a number of benefits whenever you are blinded or unable to see (including when you wear a blindfold or close your eyes). Under such circumstances, you do not take any penalties on Strength– or Dexterity-based skill checks due to blindness. In addition, you gain a +4 bonus on hearing- and smell-based Perception checks and gain the scent special ability with a range of 10 feet; if you already have scent, the range of your scent ability increases by 10 feet instead. Having this feat counts as having 10 ranks in Perception for the purpose of satisfying the prerequisites of the Improved Blind-Fight feat, as well as any feat that lists Improved Blind-Fight as a prerequisite.

and further feats in it's chain.

I personally like the idea of a LG blind crusader who follows the example of "see no evil."

Any thoughts on builds with some of the newer(ish) blinded feats, archetypes, and traits we now have access to? (Only post I could find regarding this is at least 8 years old.)

[MidsouthGuy]

A blind Ranger who has anything with a vision based attack as his favored enemies. Not so much a build as a suggestion, but it's thematic.

[Ellias Aubec]

There is the scarred monk archetype that at level 4 has an option to gain blindsense/blindsight constantly. Part of my blind monk plan to go with the above feats for when I finally play him.

[Alphavoltario]

Ellias Aubec wrote:

There is the scarred monk archetype that at level 4 has an option to gain blindsense/blindsight constantly. Part of my blind monk plan to go with the above feats for when I finally play him.

Oh god... with a level dip, or if VMC is allowed, the Scarred Monk can literally embody the "See no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil" with the Deaf Oracle Curse, Tongueless Master Mortification, and the Eyes Stitched Shut Mortification.

[VoodistMonk]

I hate to be "that guy", but I don't think it's worth it going down the blinded blade style chain... greater blind fight requires 15 ranks in perception. And greater blind fight is a prerequisite for blinded master.

Even getting the first feat as a trait doesn't offset much. It's 5 feats that take 17 levels to acquire, just to adequately play a blind character.

The scarred monk is the best way into such a character, but then you have to be a monk. Lol.

I looked into the whole blind character thing for a faceless enforcer vigilante, but discarded the idea entirely when I seen the 15 rank prerequisites for relatively basic feats. Especially when the monk gets blindsight at level 4.

[Alphavoltario]

VoodistMonk wrote:

I hate to be "that guy", but I don't think it's worth it going down the blinded blade style chain... greater blind fight requires 15 ranks in perception. And greater blind fight is a prerequisite for blinded master.

Even getting the first feat as a trait doesn't offset much. It's 5 feats that take 17 levels to acquire, just to adequately play a blind character.

The scarred monk is the best way into such a character, but then you have to be a monk. Lol.

I looked into the whole blind character thing for a faceless enforcer vigilante, but discarded the idea entirely when I seen the 15 rank prerequisites for relatively basic feats. Especially when the monk gets blindsight at level 4.

Two words to the first argument: Blinded Competence

Blinded Competence:

Blinded Competence (Combat)

Your lack of sight enables you to strike your foes with uncanny precision.

Prerequisite(s): Blinded Blade Style, Blind-Fight, Improved Blind-Fight, Perception 10 ranks.

Benefit(s): While you are using Blinded Blade Style and you are blinded or unable to see, you do not need to succeed at Perception checks to pinpoint the location of creatures within reach of your melee weapon, or your unmodified reach if you are not wielding a melee weapon. This ability functions like blindsense, except creatures you cannot see do not gain total concealment against you. Having this feat counts as having 15 ranks in Perception for the purpose of satisfying the prerequisites of the Greater Blind-Fight feat, as well as any feat that lists Greater Blind-Fight as a prerequisite.

Max level for the feat chain: 15th

Also Monks are not terrible (though it does hurt that scarred monk isn't compatible with unchained), and by comparison require a lot less 'micro-managing' than a vigilante build (that doesn't necessarily lend itself to an exorbitant amount of feats). Scarred Monk is a fairly interesting AT that lends itself to a fun and flavorful build idea... sooo, sorry for not munchkining I guess? (.-.)

And to be frank on the "you only need 4 levels of monk to get blind sense", yes, yes you do, except interactions with NPCs may be stressed as there is a guy with his eyes stitched shut wandering around town... this line of style feat might be more useful to a fighter, who has a plethora of feats to spend; even more so for one who can't, and or, afford/want darkvision.