How Do You Get Blindsight? A Comprehensive Guide
Gaining blindsight, the ability to perceive your surroundings without relying on sight, opens up a world of tactical possibilities in many tabletop roleplaying games, particularly in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). But how exactly do you acquire this seemingly magical sense? The answer depends on the game system, but in the context of D&D 5th Edition, blindsight can be obtained through a variety of means, primarily through character class features, feats, and certain spells. It is a powerful tool that allows characters to perceive invisible creatures, navigate in darkness, and ignore visual obstructions like fog or smoke. Let’s explore these methods in detail.
Methods of Acquiring Blindsight in D&D
1. Fighting Style: Blind Fighting
One of the most accessible ways to obtain blindsight is through the Fighting Style: Blind Fighting. This option is available to characters who choose the Fighter class at 1st level and to Paladin or Ranger classes at 2nd level. This fighting style grants you blindsight with a 10-foot radius, allowing you to perceive creatures within that range regardless of visual impediments. This is a particularly strong option for melee-focused characters who often find themselves in close combat and can benefit from the ability to effectively fight invisible or obscured enemies. It’s a reliable and straightforward method, making it a popular choice for builds that rely on precise attacks.
2. Draconic Transformation Spell
Certain spells can also grant the user blindsight. The Draconic Transformation spell, available to Druids, Sorcerers, and Wizards at 7th level, effectively accessed at 13th level, allows the caster to transform into a powerful dragon form, and as part of this transformation, they gain blindsight. The range of this blindsight can vary with the form of dragon that is chosen, often extending much further than the Blind Fighting style. The spell’s high level requirement makes it an option for more advanced characters, but the power and utility it provides in combat and exploration are considerable. It also comes with the benefit of additional abilities that come with the dragon form.
3. Ascendant Aspect (Monk)
The Monk subclass, Way of the Ascendant Dragon, offers a unique path to blindsight at a very high level. At 17th level, the Ascendant Aspect feature grants the Monk the power to see all things with a 30ft radius, granting true sight within that radius, and also the benefits of blindsight. This ability is tied to the very pinnacle of Monk mastery, making it a powerful, albeit late-game addition for dedicated monks following this path. The expanded reach and reliability of true sight makes this option a powerful end-game feature.
4. Variant Human Race with Feat
A versatile way to gain blindsight early on is through the use of the Variant Human race in conjunction with the Fighting Initiate feat. With a Variant Human character, you can choose to start with a feat, selecting Fighting Initiate as that feat. This allows you to gain the benefits of the Blind Fighting style, which comes with the 10-foot radius blindsight. This approach offers an early game boost in tactical capability for any class and is often chosen by melee-focused characters. This option is accessible to any class, making it a very popular and powerful choice for players wishing to obtain blindsight early in their campaign.
5. Magic Items and Special Abilities
While the above methods are the most common, it’s important to remember that magic items and special monster abilities can also grant blindsight. It’s important to pay close attention to descriptive language in any given monster or item that you discover. Sometimes, an item or unique circumstance might grant you blindsight for a limited time, or under specific conditions. This possibility adds an element of surprise and discovery to campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Blindsight
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about blindsight, providing additional insights into this fascinating ability:
1. What Exactly is Blindsight?
Blindsight is the ability to perceive your surroundings without relying on sight. Instead, you use other senses, such as hearing, echolocation, vibrations, or even subtle magical energies. This allows you to “see” in darkness, fog, and even perceive invisible creatures.
2. Does Blindsight See Invisibility?
Yes, one of the primary benefits of blindsight is that it allows you to see invisible creatures. This is a critical advantage in combat, enabling you to attack them without the normal disadvantage that comes with attacking an unseen opponent.
3. Does Blindsight Negate Disadvantage from Invisible Enemies?
While technically the rules might not explicitly state that seeing an invisible creature with blindsight removes disadvantage, most DMs will rightly rule that the disadvantage from fighting invisible creatures is removed. It would be redundant to be able to see the creature, yet still have disadvantage.
4. Can you Hide From a Creature with Blindsight?
If you are within a creature’s blindsight radius, you can’t hide from it unless you are using magic to totally cloak your presence. Blindsight effectively makes you “visible” to the creature within its range.
5. Can Blindsight See Through Walls?
No, standard blindsight does not allow you to see through walls. It only perceives things within its range, not through solid objects. There may be other monster abilities or magical effects that grant such an ability, but blindsight alone doesn’t provide it.
6. How Does Blindsight Work in Fog or Smoke?
Blindsight allows you to perceive your surroundings, including any environmental phenomena such as smoke or fog. It effectively negates the visual hindrance, as you don’t rely on sight. Someone standing in heavy fog would be perceived as if they are surrounded by “static”.
7. Can Blindsight See in Darkness?
Yes, blindsight allows you to see in darkness. This is because it does not rely on sight. Therefore, effects like magical darkness have no effect on creatures with blindsight.
8. Can Blindsight See Scrying Sensors?
No, blindsight cannot perceive an intangible scrying sensor. As the sensor is not physically present, it would not be detected by senses that rely on physical presence.
9. Does Blindsight Let you See Traps?
Blindsight enhances your ability to make a Perception check, as you can effectively perceive your environment despite poor lighting. However, it doesn’t directly reveal the mechanisms of traps.
10. Can you Sneak Past a Creature with Blindsight?
You can still attempt to use stealth around a creature with blindsight. However, if you are visible to their blindsight (not hidden behind cover) they will be aware of your location.
11. Is Blindsight a Spell?
There was a spell with the same name in previous editions of D&D, but blindsight is not generally considered a spell in 5th Edition. It’s an ability or effect granted by specific class features, spells or magic items.
12. Is Blindsight Common?
Blindsight is rare and typically only obtained by characters who have chosen to specifically seek this ability through choices in their class, race and feats. This makes it a desirable and powerful asset.
13. Can a Light Spell Blind?
No, a light spell cannot cause blindness by itself. There are other spells that can inflict blindness, but they usually require saving throws to avoid.
14. Does Invisibility Give Advantage on Stealth Checks?
The invisible condition does not automatically grant advantage on stealth checks, but a DM may choose to grant advantage on a case by case basis based on the circumstances surrounding the creature and their environment.
15. How Far Does Blindsight Typically Reach?
The range of blindsight varies. The Blind Fighting style gives a 10-foot radius. Draconic Transformation’s range varies. Ascendant Aspect provides a 30-foot radius of true sight, which grants the benefits of blindsight, and some monster or item abilities may have other ranges, or even other conditions.
By understanding these methods and the nuances of blindsight, you can optimize your character’s abilities and navigate the world with enhanced perception and tactical advantage. Whether you are a fighter relying on close combat, a spellcaster embracing a draconic form, or a cunning monk honing their senses, blindsight can be a valuable asset to you and your party.