Basilisk and petrification Options

[aigleborgne]

In the game, basilisk attacks by looking at their target (projectile type). Sometimes, they go melee with their claws.

Wouldn't it more logical that they always melee, and those who look at them would roll or be petrified? (they would autocast a spell every round that would affect nearby enemies)

I have already done this thing for the death gaze of the tanari.

I remembered a fight between Drizzt and a basilisk in the underdark. Basilisk was attacking him with his claws but Drizzt has protected his eyes with something.

[aigleborgne]

You plan to simulate protecting ones eyes with a dice roll?

Is it possible to set the gaze so it only works if the npc is in front of the basilisk, much the way backstab works from behind?

How would the basilisk spell differentiate between the fighter attacking the basilisk and the mage standing behind him casting a spell?

I can't really simulate the basilick gaze with a spell, but neither with a ranged weapon.

But I have more option with a spell.
I have made this:
autocast every round on a random target, with a small/average aera of effect

it is not possible to check the direction, so there is nothing I can do about this.

it can't differentiate, but usually, a mage is looking at this target when he cast a spell, doesn't he?
anyway, nothing can be perfect, especially with limitations of the infinity engine.

the good point is that now, basilic can attack you while using his petrification gaze.
no more level 1 fighter killing all basilics zone with a scroll of protection from petrification (hehe I did it, fast way to be level 7)

basilisks aren't good fighter, but greater basilisks are powerful and now dreadful with their new death gaze (poison gaze in P&P)