D&D 5E Drow "Sunlight Sensitivity" workarounds?

[Oofta]

In principle I agree with this, but in practice, what super powerful innate bonus is sunlight sensitivity canceling out for drow? Their innate spellcasting is on par with Tieflings’ Infernal Heritage. Their weapon proficiencies are useless to any class that wants to be using them. And the rest of their abilities are shared with the core elf race. The only thing I can see sunlight sensitivity really balancing out is superior Darkvision. And fair enough, that seems like a perfectly reasonable tradeoff. But by the same token, if a player wants to play a drow with regular old 60 ft. Darkvision and no sunlight sensitivity, that seems fine to me.

I have a lot of issues with a sub race of elf in black face that by default are run by a matriarchy of evil women, but as far as the actual powers? Superior darkvision is right up there, but faerie fire and darkness can also be powerful, even if they are only once per long rest.

I also ban them as a race for other reasons, but that conversation never leads anywhere constructive.

 

[Blue]

I find that most often the problem with Sunlight Sensitivity is that the DM doesn't have weather in their setting. Sunlight Sensitivity doesn't trigger because it's daytime. It triggers "when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight".

Overcast, rainy, foggy - none of these would trigger it. Indoors with windows (but not the drow or target in direct sunlight from them) - does not trigger. Under a pavilion, a thick canopy of leaves, and anything that casts a shadow - does not trigger.

If the DM just has a succession of nice cloudless days with never any terrain or buildings to block the sun, I can see how it can go from an occasional drawback to a real issue.

 

[Blue]

EDIT: Oops, hadn't realized the thread was necro'd and responding to a many year old comment. Move along, nothing to see here.

 

[Umbran]

As for frames? Brass & leather like motorcycle goggles should work just fine.

And herein lies the space for other options - if the goggles are more like actual goggles, and less like spectacles, then they are forward-focused. A drawback for the goggles may be found in lack of peripheral vision.

 

[Dire Bare]

I haven't read the entire thread, so forgive me if I cover ground already walked.

Why is this even an issue? The "solution" is simple, don't put some sort of cost on your player's character concept.

If the player thinks wearing fantasy sunglasses is a cool aspect of his character . . . allow it without some sort of constructed penalty. Or, just simply rule that as the character has spent time on the surface, his sensitivity to sunlight has faded . . . no game penalties applied.

 

[MattW]

I see an obvious problem

If there's an easy/cheap solution, ALL of the Drow would be using it and they'd be conquering the "sunlit lands" in your world.

If you really need a solution to the problem, I'd suggest that there might be something legendary or expensive that would allow Drow to operate in full daylight and that you could run an adventure that would allow the PC to find this item. Of course, he'd then become a target for every other Drow .... "Give me that X, or die, you Traitor! I...er ....WE need it to conquer the world."

Possible solutions (whether these would be magical or mundane is up to you)
1. Eye drops made from obscure mushrooms that only grow in a specific cave. These are both poisonous and addictive - but they do cause the eyes to be less sensitive to light. Consult your alchemist for a list of potential side effects. He's almost certainly got some other drugs that will help! Yes, those are ALSO expensive....

2. Snow goggles made from exquisitely crafted jewels and precious metals. Peripheral vision would be poor and it would be easier to surprise and ambush the wearer . Which could be a problem if another Drow is trying to steal the goggles..

3. A helmet that includes a "one way mirror" face shield (like Cobra Commander). This is really disturbing to encounter and should reduce all interpersonal skills. It's also rather fragile. Let's hope nobody hits you in the face. That could be messy!

 

[Charlaquin]

I have a lot of issues with a sub race of elf in black face that by default are run by a matriarchy of evil women, but as far as the actual powers? Superior darkvision is right up there, but faerie fire and darkness can also be powerful, even if they are only once per long rest.

I also ban them as a race for other reasons, but that conversation never leads anywhere constructive.

That’s fair.

 

[embee]

I think you're all missing the most obvious solution:

Namely, the Burnsian Sun Blocker.

 

[embee]

If we allow drow to easily bypass sunlight sensitivity that counterbalances their other innate bonuses, what's next? Vampires that sparkle in the sunlight? Being a werewolf is just a cool power up? In my campaign, drow are not allowed and I'm not even sure they're real.

But if someone really wanted to play a drow without sunlight sensitivity then they'd be from a group that left the underdark long ago. They no longer suffer from sunlight sensitivity but have also lost their ties to the underdark. Choose the stats of a high elf or wood elf. After all you want to play a drow because they're different, right? Not because you want all the benefits without the penalties?

Being a werewolf only confers the following benefit: It makes you a fantastic basketball player.

That's it. No other perks. No bonus to perception or intimidation. No buff to strength or dexterity. Just a +10 bonus to all basketball-related ability checks.

Jumping over a DC 17 chasm? You get a +10 bonus to your Athletics check if and only if you are wearing a basketball uniform and clutching a regulation-sized basketball. No uniform? No bonus. No basketball? No bonus.

 

[Oofta]

Being a werewolf only confers the following benefit: It makes you a fantastic basketball player.

That's it. No other perks. No bonus to perception or intimidation. No buff to strength or dexterity. Just a +10 bonus to all basketball-related ability checks.

Jumping over a DC 17 chasm? You get a +10 bonus to your Athletics check if and only if you are wearing a basketball uniform and clutching a regulation-sized basketball. No uniform? No bonus. No basketball? No bonus.

How is that different from the core rules? Because that's how I've run it every time it's ever come up in my game.