Ebon Eyes spell (Spell Compendium)

[Shin Okada]

From Spell Compendium

The subject of this spell gains the ability to see normally in natural and magical darkness, although it does not otherwise improve the subject's ability to see in natural dark or shadowy conditions. The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness. While the spell is in effect, a jet-black film covers the subject's eyes, a visual effect that gives the spell its name.

So, exactly what will this spell do? Frankly speaking, I cannot understand what the writer tried to tell.

 

[Dandu]

It basically allows you to see through the Darkness spell and dark areas, but does not improve, say, darkvision.

 

[Shin Okada]

It basically allows you to see through the Darkness spell and dark areas, but does not improve, say, darkvision.

But if a character can see through dark area and there is no range limit, isn't it a darkvision with infinite range?

 

[Dandu]

I suppose so?

 

[Shin Okada]

Why does this spall say "The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness."? The subject of this spell can "see nomally" in dark area but still suffer miss chance due to total darkness???

 

[Dandu]

Why does this spall say "The subject ignores the miss chance due to lack of illumination other than total darkness."? The subject of this spell can "see nomally" in dark area but still suffer miss chance due to total darkness???

At a guess, it's a reference to the miss chance caused by the "shadowy illumination" of the Darkness line of spells, and other spells like Blacklight.

Though how he would see normally in areas of magical darkness and still be affected by the miss chance of total darkness I have no idea...

This spell seems to have shot itself in the foot with over complicated wording, eh?