A Question on Warpriest Blessings

[GrayJester32]

One of my players is running a Warpriest of Sarenrae. During our last session, he wanted to use his minor Sun Blessing, Blinding Strike, against a boss monster during an encounter. However, we ran into an issue, as the book doesn't seem to clearly indicate what the range of this ability is, and I haven't been able to track down any solid rulings on the matter.

My interpretation at the table was that, because nothing in the rules text for Blessings or for Blinding Strike indicated a range, that it was usable in melee only. But I told the player that I would follow up with the hivemind for wisdom on the subject.

Any helpful information would be very much appreciated. :)

[TxSam88]

it looks to me like it has no range and can affect any opponent. So as long as he can see the bad guy and draw line of effect to him, it should work

[AwesomenessDog]

Although it is very poorly worded and bad form to mix flavor text and rules text like this without a further clarifying sentence, the first sentence of the ability implies it is as TxSam88 said: any distance so long as you can target them (and also presumably there is sunlight around).

Sun Blessing wrote:

Blinding Strike (minor): At 1st level, you can create a flash of sunlight in the eyes of one of your opponents. The target is blinded for 1 round. If it succeeds at a Reflex saving throw, it’s instead dazzled for 1 round. Creatures with light blindness or light sensitivity take a –4 penalty on this saving throw. This is a light effect. Sightless creatures are unaffected by this ability.

A couple of things could be happening, it is possibly implied that the warpriest (as someone with warpriest proficiencies) is going to be wearing some metal armor of which they can literally reflect sunlight off of; this is the least likely RAI in my opinion but would also require an existing source of light. Alternatively, you are essentially creating a really powerful flare effect that fully blinds on a failed save instead of dazzles and thus only needs line of effect to target.

I will also add that generally speaking, the "no range limit" is in line with the flavor of many other "sun/solar" class abilities, as generally it is the field of travel "anywhere the sun touches".

[Mysterious Stranger]

Blinding strike only affects the target for 1 round and the target gets a saving throw to reduce the effect to dazzled. If the blessing cannot be used at range that makes it incredibly weak compared to other minor blessings. Fire Strike gives you an extra 1d4 fire damage on every hit for a minute. Holy Strike gives you +1d6 damage vs an evil creature and makes the weapon good for bypassing damage resistance for a minute. Powerful Healer allows you to heal 50% more with a cure spell.

I have to agree with the others this should be able to be used at any range. Blinded does hamper the target quite a bit but does not make them completely helpless. Basically, it gives them a 50% miss chance and some penalties to AC and movement. Dazzled gives you a -1 on attack rolls and sight-based perception rolls.

Blinding strike specifies you are creating a flash of sunlight, not reflecting light into their eyes. It does not mention anything about not working in darkness. It should not have any other restriction placed on it.

[GrayJester32]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I've talked to the player and we've settled on giving the ability a 30 ft. range, no sunlight necessary (assuming that the blinding light manifests through the character's weapon or other held object).