Dungeon Delver and Darkvision?

[Ogrork the Mighty]

The Dungeon Delver prestige class (Complete Adventurer, p. 42) gets darkvision 60 feet (Ex) at 1st-level. The ability states, "If the character already has darkvision, the range increases by 30 feet."

My question is this: If a character takes a level in Dungeon Delver and subsequently obtains a magic item that provides darkvision or receives a permanent darkvision spell, does that qualify to (retroactively) increase the darkvision range from Dungeon Delver to 90 feet?

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Anybody?

 

[starwed]

Well, the dungeon delver isn't exactly a powerhouse, so if I were the DM I'd say yes and not worry about it. Any sort of RAW argument is going to revolve around if "already has darkvision" is a one time check, or if it is part of the constant ability granted.

 

[frankthedm]

The Dungeon Delver prestige class (Complete Adventurer, p. 42) gets darkvision 60 feet (Ex) at 1st-level. The ability states, "If the character already has darkvision, the range increases by 30 feet."

My question is this: If a character takes a level in Dungeon Delver and subsequently obtains a magic item that provides darkvision or receives a permanent darkvision spell, does that qualify to (retroactively) increase the darkvision range from Dungeon Delver to 90 feet?

I'd say the character must have the darkvision, otherwise the spell / item overlaps his own {from dungeon delver], unless of course the spell /item itself stacks with a beings already exsisting darkvision.

 

[MarkB]

The Dungeon Delver prestige class (Complete Adventurer, p. 42) gets darkvision 60 feet (Ex) at 1st-level. The ability states, "If the character already has darkvision, the range increases by 30 feet."

My question is this: If a character takes a level in Dungeon Delver and subsequently obtains a magic item that provides darkvision or receives a permanent darkvision spell, does that qualify to (retroactively) increase the darkvision range from Dungeon Delver to 90 feet?

I wouldn't let it work even if he had the item and/or spell first. That's not the character having darkvision.

 

[starwed]

That's not the character having darkvision.

If the character doesn't have darkvision while wearing goggles of the night, how are they seeing in the dark?

 

[tylermalan]

I agree with the above. I would say that a character is everything he is, including equipment, which means that if a character has an item that gives him darkvision, then the character has darkvision. Same for a permanent darkvision spell. Otherwise, I would wonder what the definition of the character is.

 

[lukelightning]

A +30' distance to darkvision is in the same category of wimpy stuff as dwarven stonecunning and druid resistance to fey enchantments. Let him have the bonus!

 

[MarkB]

If the character doesn't have darkvision while wearing goggles of the night, how are they seeing in the dark?

By magic.

 

[frankthedm]

A +30' distance to darkvision is in the same category of wimpy stuff as dwarven stonecunning and druid resistance to fey enchantments. Let him have the bonus!

I beg to differ! The majority of creatures have their darkvision set to 60'. 90' darkvision allows for a great deal of zoning tactics.