D&D 5E Everyone has Darkvision - too generous?

[TrippyHippy]

Personally, I don't really get why Elves and Half Elves would have Darkvision at all - they aren't creatures if the night or the Underdark are they? So, I wouldn't mind them losing that trait. On another note, I don't see why Darkvision needs to be a Level 2 spell. Level 1 tops, surely?

 

[CapnZapp]

Personally, I don't really get why Elves and Half Elves would have Darkvision at all - they aren't creatures if the night or the Underdark are they? So, I wouldn't mind them losing that trait.

I believe for the simple reason they need some sort of superhuman vision. And in 5e, Darkvision is the only option.

 

[CapnZapp]

I miss LLV. Its a flavor thing to differentiate some of the races. I understand the desire to simplify things, especially when the differences didn't seem to come up all that often, but

I too understand it.

It's just that I've come to the realization that it kinda bothers me.

As I tried to say already in my original post, this isn't a major bug in the system.

But for those of us that don't mind the extra complexity, it's good to discuss possible solutions. Just to check something else don't get broken.

For instance, if all of you had reacted with "not gonna play another elf with those rules" that would have been reason to reconsider.

 

[TrippyHippy]

I believe for the simple reason they need some sort of superhuman vision. And in 5e, Darkvision is the only option.

Make a new 'Farsight' trait?

 

[CapnZapp]

Make a new 'Farsight' trait?

I went with "low light", but feel free! [emoji2]

 

[Rya.Reisender]

Is Darkvision really that useful? Sure you can see a bit farther into dungeons assuming the path doesn't bent, but other than this? My group pretty much never stays in the dark, a simple well-placed light cantrip can solve all your problems with lighting already. Even if you didn't have that, there are still torches and stuff.

If everyone in my group had darkvision that would just make it more comfortable for us. I don't see that as a problem at all.

 

[PnPgamer]

Personally, I don't really get why Elves and Half Elves would have Darkvision at all - they aren't creatures if the night or the Underdark are they? So, I wouldn't mind them losing that trait. On another note, I don't see why Darkvision needs to be a Level 2 spell. Level 1 tops, surely?

I picked up somewhere that elves are actually nocturnal species. I am not sure where this was, maybe somewhere in 2nd edition... or I just saw a dream

also, I agree on the darkvision spell. It should be available at 1st level.

 

[CapnZapp]

Is Darkvision really that useful? Sure you can see a bit farther into dungeons assuming the path doesn't bent, but other than this? My group pretty much never stays in the dark, a simple well-placed light cantrip can solve all your problems with lighting already. Even if you didn't have that, there are still torches and stuff.

If everyone in my group had darkvision that would just make it more comfortable for us. I don't see that as a problem at all.

If you have never DM'd a group where EVERYONE has darkvision then you really need to experience that before making a decision.

It really is a gamechanger if the party can scout around with no light that reveals their position.

It turns out switching Elves over to darkvision has a much more profound impact than I first thought. Now it's much easier to create a darkvision only team.

Darkvision in itself isn't particularly powerful, assuming somebody else still needs a light.

It's true power is if you can skip that light altogether.

 

[CapnZapp]

I
also, I agree on the darkvision spell. It should be available at 1st level.

In a group that otherwise operates with light, I agree making a single party member see in the dark is of limited utility, and perhaps level 1 is appropriate.

But in a group where YOU are the only one that needs light, and so the spell would enable you to turn off the light completely, the utility is sky-high and easily worth a level 3 slot.

In total, I find level 2 a good compromise.

 

[Rya.Reisender]

It's still for the DM to decide if the group can scout around unnoticed or not. Plenty of monsters also can see in the dark.