The rule in NWN is that gaze attacks don't depend on the orientation of the target.
Arguably, that's not wrong, just what the rule happens to be.
In Greek mythology, the monsters are called gorgons, of whom one is named Medusa, but in D&D, they're all called medusas, so that's the rule in NWN, too. The gorgons didn't have gaze attacks in mythology, either - the victim had to look at them to be petrified - but in NWN they do, so that's the rule.
By strict definition of the PnP rules of gaze attacks, yes, one needs to actually meet the gaze of the creature in order to be affected. Other creatures with gaze attacks like Umber Hulks also work in a similar fashion; it's a cone-shaped attack that everybody within the area has to make a save against, rather than anybody who even LOOKS at the creature has to make a save each round. I'm guessing this was simply too hard to implement when Bioware was making NWN and so it was one of the rules that had to be left on the cutting room floor. (Like, how come small creatures can't stand inside the space of larger creatures? PnP rules allow you to do that, but the game engine can't accommodate that. Or why doesn't NWN have grappling?)
Our rule towards NWN is that over the years a lot of approaches regarding its features have been developed by the community. The game has been there for a long time.
We can't change one feature based on the feedback of only one player because that might lead to many disapprovals from other players and content creators. This is why dialogue is very important. Only if something is being approved by the majority of players, then it can become a subject of a change.
This thread shows there are, at least, 2 approaches towards petrification gaze after you turn your back on the enemy. Which makes it very difficult to make a decision to change the current behaviour.
Our rule towards NWN is that over the years a lot of approaches regarding its features have been developed by the community. The game has been there for a long time.
We can't change one feature based on the feedback of only one player because that might lead to many disapprovals from other players and content creators. This is why dialogue is very important. Only if something is being approved by the majority of players, then it can become a subject of a change.
This thread shows there are, at least, 2 approaches towards petrification gaze after you turn your back on the enemy. Which makes it very difficult to make a decision to change the current behaviour.
Ian579
Member Posts: 239
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They appear in the following content, too:
Then that's an issue that needs to be fixed.
Arguably, that's not wrong, just what the rule happens to be.
In Greek mythology, the monsters are called gorgons, of whom one is named Medusa, but in D&D, they're all called medusas, so that's the rule in NWN, too. The gorgons didn't have gaze attacks in mythology, either - the victim had to look at them to be petrified - but in NWN they do, so that's the rule.
Could you please cite a reliable source for that statement?
and similar pages for gaze attacks all state that all enemies within the cone are affected, i.e. orientation isn't a factor.
You can also trawl through the spell scripts, which are the de facto rules.
I don't think those information can be considered "rule". Therefore, I still hold that the said issue needs to be fixed.
Yes it can, for that is the Rule within the game and how gaze attacks work.
You're free to regard any irrationality or bug caused by the scripts as a "rule". I won't try to convince you to think otherwise.
Just because it isn't a bug does not mean it isn't an issue.
Be respectful. You probably are not affected by the issue or don't care. But others might care as their gameplay experience are affected.
We can't change one feature based on the feedback of only one player because that might lead to many disapprovals from other players and content creators. This is why dialogue is very important. Only if something is being approved by the majority of players, then it can become a subject of a change.
This thread shows there are, at least, 2 approaches towards petrification gaze after you turn your back on the enemy. Which makes it very difficult to make a decision to change the current behaviour.
That's understandable. Thank you.