CapnZapp
Legend
It really isn't.That was the assumption that I was asking about. Picking your character's race based on pure rules mechanics (such as whether or not they have darkvision) rather than flavour is a more optimisation style of play.
If you use the term "more optimisation style of play" merely to describe someone who realizes darkvision helps if your character concept is sneaker, skulker or scout, I would say the term has lost all meaning. Then everybody is an optimizer unles you're brand new to the game, or almost chaotic in your choices.
I submit no "ramifications" need to be considered.It was whether or not a scout character would feel restricted as to the races that they could be in order to be viable, and whether the DM would simply assume they would pick the 'right' race, or consider the ramifications of removing darkvision from PC races while retaining it for the sort of enemies that the party would face in general.
I haven't brought up the subject of retaining it for enemies, and I feel doing so only needlessly complicates the issue.
*shrug*In some games its fine to accept that the houserules introduced are going to restrict player choices regarding race or class. In others it isn't going to be what the DM wants. That is why its an important knock-on effect to consider when discussing the change, before its made.
Elves on night vision worked well for 3rd edition.
I'm sure it will work equally well for 5th edition.
There's no need to call this a "houserule" as if it's something new and untested. There are no important "knock-on effects" to be expected.
All this suggestion does is subtly shifting the probability away from an all-darkvision party. The players can still make such a party - 5th offers a great variety of player races, many with darkvision. (It will still be exceedingly simple for one party member to pick a darkvision race; so there should be zero issues for the player wanting to play a Rogue). The only difference is that the group will have to make a token effort to make it happen - they can't just keep to the stereotypical Human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling party by going Half-Elf, Dwarf, Elf, Gnome.
Hopefully, they will prioritize classical fantasy tropes and stick to a somewhat regular group, and if they do, the OP gets what he wants with minimal changes.
That's all there is to it. No game world ramifications. No big and messy changes.
Just a quick and simple tweak