Light sources near and far.

[RangerWickett]

If you are using a ranged attack, do only your target's light conditions matter for purposes of concealment and miss chances, or do you have to take into account the light conditions between you and the target?

I ask because I'm planning a night-time ambush with elvish druids who will light up the forest around the PCs with faerie fire, then pepper them with arrows from a distance. I want to know if the elves will have any penalties for light conditions (I know they'll take some penalty for trees being in the way).

 

[Artoomis]

I think light at the target is what counts, generally speaking.

 

[tylermalan]

I would agree that light at your target is what counts, in most situations. In others, nearby light can ruin your ability to see distance if the light nearby is brighter than your target.

 

[TheGogmagog]

Or if there is obscurement due to some other effect, dust, rain, fog, magical darkenss.

If you are talking large distances, a quarter mile 1320 ft, you might need to make a spot check to see someone inside the light radius.

 

[Nyeshet]

The light source at the target is important. Only if the light is obscured between the target and the archer does light sources (or forms of light obscurement) matter. For instance, if magical darkness or a fog cloud exists between the archer and the otherwise well lit target, I believe the light may not reach the archer - or at least not to the same degree of significance. Also, large distances can make a difference, but then the archer might need to make a Spot check anyway just to notice / aim at a target that far off (especially if in poor lighting, etc).