Lighting Rules

[IceBear]

Then, by the book, the only answer is after 20ft, total darkness.

IceBear

 

[twjensen]

By the book

20', no farther, as already posted. But a good DM will know that some things are easier to spot in darkness, like how a cat's eyes will catch and reflect incoming light. A cat looking at you will show its eyes at distances greater than the technical limit of the torchlight, etc.

Additionally, at higher levels characters may be able to make insane spot DCs like 35-40+. The rules (at present) are gray on the subject of extreme DCs because WoTC plans to publish a book on the subject of Epic Level gaming at some point.

You'll probably want to look into these new rules as soon as they are available.

 

[Christian]

What IceBear said. This is just one of those things that, by the book, is kind of goofy. I understand your group's frustration-if it's actually total, pitch-black darkness after 20', then why can the elf see to 40'? And if it's not quite totally dark, then why can the human see nothing? The PH and DMG do not answer these questions; they just say that torchlight illuminates to 20', or to 40' for characters with low-light vision. By the book, Lieutenant.

 

[Razamir]

Thanks all. I guess it'll just have to be unrealistic. It's not a HUGE deal it's just my group doesn't like house rules. Kinda frustraiting sometimes but I'm out voted so what can I do?

Thanks

 

[Artoomis]

Just because you play "by the book" doesn't mean it has to sound like it's by the book. Much of D&D flavor comes from an imaginitive DM giving out details like:

"Just at the edge of your vision, you can make out something. it looks really tall, and green, yeahm it's green - and really ugly. A troll perhaps? Perhaps not - it looks to ugly to even be a troll."

You make it sound more realistic, without changing the rules at all. And you added a whiole bunch of flavor to the description, and maybe even confused the players a bit, always a good thing!