Hey, WotC: Give Dwarves their Darkvision Back

[Wulf Ratbane]

Ewwwww I am torn on this one.

I admit that mixed vision types in the party is a PITA.

On the other hand, if at least some PCs don't have darkvision, they can never, ever sneak up on an indigenous critter with darkvision.

No matter how stealthy, you can't hide light.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Then why do dwarven halls always have torches?

To cut down on the number of bats skittering around near the ceiling of the great hall. Besides when the flaming bats fall to the floor you can use them to flavor your ale.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

Darkvision should die - dwarves should be good at working in the dark, but have to fear dark in the right situation just like anything else. Ever read the Fifth Elefant written by Pratchett? THERE he shows how dwarves should act in the darkness: with bravery bordering on stupidity. And with lamps on their helmets.

 

[Wormwood]

On the other hand, if at least some PCs don't have darkvision, they can never, ever sneak up on an indigenous critter with darkvision.

Maybe they're finally realizing that darkvision is good enough to warrant being magical.

So the rogue can still sneak up on the duergar----after someone cast see in complete darkness on him first.

 

[Masquerade]

Sorry, I agree with the WotC designers on this one.

Agreed. There are too many interesting encounters that become a non-issue when even a single PC has darkvision. Plus, 3.X gave too many creatures darkvision (all aberrations, constructs, and outsiders).

 

[ruleslawyer]

Ewwwww I am torn on this one.

I admit that mixed vision types in the party is a PITA.

On the other hand, if at least some PCs don't have darkvision, they can never, ever sneak up on an indigenous critter with darkvision.

No matter how stealthy, you can't hide light.

It's possible that the number of creatures with darkvision will be *radically* cut down in 4e. I kinda hope so, actually, although I imagine that enough creatures would keep it (drow, duergar, illithids, outsiders, etc etc), or will have nonvisual senses like scent, for PC-type adventurers to be royally hosed if they need light sources to see. Maybe darkvision should just be either a 1st-level spell or available via an alchemical item.

 

[Gort]

Anyone else remember them talking about racial feats?

I bet dwarves will be able to take a racial feat that upgrades their low-light vision into full-on darkvision.

 

[vagabundo]

Much more fun to have all the party without.

My current party has 4 Dwarves and a halfling, I had to give the halfling Googles of darkvision as the dwarves where leading him around in the dark...

Now they have to work with torches and all the darkvisioned monsters will see them coming a mile away...

Much better...

 

[mhensley]

This is a change I approve of - as long as every damn monster doesn't still have dark vision.

 

[Najo]

I think it is very interesting to have pcs without darkvision and the handful of monsters that do have it still. Darkness and those that dwell in it become much more creepy. Images of the descent come to mind. Drow, Mindflayers, Druegar...all much more scary now.