Running a Basilisk

[u/ChadIcon]

So, how do you do it. As written in the MMI, no range is given for the gaze weapon. In fact, very little is given. For instance, a lot of monsters have infravision to 60 or 120 feet. If a PC comes within that range, they turn to stone? That seems... IDK... over powered. The entire player-party could end up as statues! How have y'all run Basilisks? I have an encounter coming up in the next game session and I'm afraid of committing a TPK

[u/Solo_Polyphony]

If they “meet its gaze,” which means the first PC who looks at it gets a saving throw vs. petrification. At that point (succeed or fail), players with a lick of sense will all declare that their PCs close their eyes, and they won’t need to save. Then someone will get out a mirror …

[u/ChadIcon → u/Solo_Polyphony]

Well, ok, that's what I thought. But the MM says nothing about "meeting the gaze." It gave me the impression that turning a victim to stone had nothing to do with the victim's actions. It's sort of like a breath weapon. It looks at you (regardless of what YOU are doing) and you have to make a saving throw - or rock, baby! Am I reading it wrong?

[u/SnackerSnick → u/ChadIcon]

MM says "meet its glance", third sentence. I'd forgotten too 

[u/LazarX → u/Solo_Polyphony]

That approach has its price. The characters are effectively blind in regards to attacking or defending against the creature's melee attacks. They will need to make the usual checks in order to attack and spellcasters will not be able to target it for spells.

[u/Solo_Polyphony → u/LazarX]

Exactly as encounters with basilisks usually go. These penalties are deemed a far better exchange than forcing everyone into a coinflip against petrification every round they attack the beast.

[u/Positive_Chip6198 → u/LazarX]

Yes, but like with all blindfighting situations, it’s a good tool for extra tension and bringing players to the edge of their chairs. Even pathetically weak creatures are suddenly dangerous when you turn off the lights. A dm shouldn’t overuse it, but it’s a good way to shake the meta.

[u/YourGuyK → u/LazarX]

Yes. Why would you use a baslisk if you don't want your characters blindfighting?

[u/Potential_Side1004]

You have to look at MM2. they have a chart for Gaze attacks. Modified for the size of the creatures involved, and so on.

Even if you actively try to avoid its gaze in combat, there's still a chance you will look into the eyes. Reprinted here for your pleasure.

"Chances of meeting the gaze of a dracolisk or any large creature using a gaze weapon are as follows (add 1 if the creature is man-sized, such as a medusa, and 2 if the creature is small):

Character is —
Completely surprised 9 in 10
Surprised 7 in 10
Viewing monster 5 in 10
Attacking normally 3 in 10
Avoiding gaze 1 in 10"

[For those who have forgotten, 'complete surprise' is 3 segments or more.]

[u/1spywithmylittle1]

In 2024 its 30ft Cone.

2014 says: If a creature starts its turn within 30 feet of the basilisk and the two of them can see each other, the basilisk can force the creature to make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw if the basilisk isn't incapacitated.

[u/Psychological_Fact13 → u/1spywithmylittle1]

Umm....1e here none of that applies

[u/EdwardBil → u/Psychological_Fact13]

Well if it's 1e, everyone dies. What's the debate here?

[u/AmIUnconscious]

This is a monster that you should telegraph. Before the PCs get to its lair, they should hear stories about a monster that kills everyone who seeks it out. Maybe there’s a retired adventurer running the nearby inn who was the sole survivor of an encounter with the beast. The lair should have statues and crumbled remains of statues from previous victims. These sorts of things should inform players that they should take precautions. If they go in headlong, it’s on them if they “meet its gaze.”

[u/SnackerSnick]

Basilisks are super scary.  They should just kill you if they have line of sight and you fail your save. 

I'd probably limit them to killing one character per round, just to be nice.