Powder, Blinding

Ultimate Equipment Guide II

Author Greg Lynch, J. C. Alvarez
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

Throwing sand into an opponent’s eyes is a time-honored (if not exactly honorable) tactic. Blinding powder offers a superior solution, an alchemically-created powder that will leave an opponent fumbling in the dark. Though nothing more than fine powder when dry, contact with any moisture (such as an opponent’s eyes), causes it to instantly coalesce into a gummy paste.

Anyone successfully hit with the powder is effectively blinded, and all attacks he makes are subject to the normal 50% miss chance given to targets with total concealment. The powder burns painfully when introduced to the eye, but causes no actual damage. The target’s tear reaction will wash the paste out of his eyes in 2d4+2 rounds. With plenty of water, the target may clear his eyes as a full-round action.

Successfully striking a foe with blinding powder can be difficult, as the powder is useless if it does not hit the eyes. The attack receives a -4 penalty on his ranged attack roll with the powder (in addition to a non-proficiency penalty – blinding powder is treated as an exotic weapon). Further, the target of the attack receives a Reflex save to close his eyes before the powder strikes (DC 10 plus attacker’s ranged attack bonus). Blinding powder has a maximum range of ten feet and is sold in single use packets of eight ounces each.

Blinding Powder: 25gp per packet