Taking advantage of darkvision

[NewJeffCT]

I'm going to be sending some orcs at the PCs in the next session - there are 5 PCs that will all be at 4th level, plus I think an NPC that will as well. Five humans and one elf.

The orcs will be mixed in with a few drow, so I want to take advantage of their dark vision. Of course, it is a wilderness/forest encounter, so it could be in the day time.

But, what simple tricks can I use to counteract PC Light spells and/or enhance the darkness around the orcs & drow? (spells in the PHB or PHB2 up to 3rd level, minor items, etc)

Thanks

 

[Doug McCrae]

But, what simple tricks can I use to counteract PC Light spells

The drow spell-like ability darkness counters light spells. Too simple?

 

[NewJeffCT]

The drow spell-like ability darkness counters light spells. Too simple?

won't work in my game - drow are standard elves, only with darkvision instead of lowlight, and their obviously different appearance. no special powers. Sorry, was not clear on that.

 

[Clueless]

Simplest trick? At night: Check the ranges on their light spells and use ranged fire and spells from just outside the range your PCs have.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Remember light is visible at far greater distances than it illuminates. The drow and orcs don't even need to use their darkvision because the targets are illuminated. So just have them set back and fire from a distance. In this situation I'd split up the drow and orcs into smaller groups. Alternate between firing at the party and making noise. Done right you can have the party running in circles trying to close with the NPCs who just avoid them as they have darkvision and can flow around their light sources. It can also be used to misrepresent the number of combatant NPCs creating a situation where the PCs retreat or change their strategy.

 

[Tewligan]

Are any of the drow or orcs spellcasters? If so, give them a prepared Darkness spell or two. IMO, that's a no-brainer spell for a darkvision-having spellcaster to have in his repertoire.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Remember light is visible at far greater distances than it illuminates. The drow and orcs don't even need to use their darkvision because the targets are illuminated. So just have them set back and fire from a distance. In this situation I'd split up the drow and orcs into smaller groups. Alternate between firing at the party and making noise. Done right you can have the party running in circles trying to close with the NPCs who just avoid them as they have darkvision and can flow around their light sources. It can also be used to misrepresent the number of combatant NPCs creating a situation where the PCs retreat or change their strategy.

Thanks - good idea. have them launch arrows from outside of the 60' low-light vision range...

 

[NewJeffCT]

Remember light is visible at far greater distances than it illuminates. The drow and orcs don't even need to use their darkvision because the targets are illuminated. So just have them set back and fire from a distance. In this situation I'd split up the drow and orcs into smaller groups. Alternate between firing at the party and making noise. Done right you can have the party running in circles trying to close with the NPCs who just avoid them as they have darkvision and can flow around their light sources. It can also be used to misrepresent the number of combatant NPCs creating a situation where the PCs retreat or change their strategy.

The darkness spell also affects creatures with darkvision - giving them a 20% miss chance. Seems kind of counter-productive other than counteracting the 0 level light spell.

 

[Tewligan]

The darkness spell also affects creatures with darkvision - giving them a 20% miss chance. Seems kind of counter-productive other than counteracting the 0 level light spell.

Yeah, but how many parties beyond the very low levels don't use magical light?

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

The darkness spell also affects creatures with darkvision - giving them a 20% miss chance. Seems kind of counter-productive other than counteracting the 0 level light spell.

The darkness spell isn't necessary just ambush them at night from beyond the range of their light source. Unlike firearms it's not easy to tell where arrows are coming from at night. If they must attack in the day time remember it's a wilderness encounter. It shouldn't run like a dungeon smashfest. Give the enemies bows or crossbows, have them hide. They fire on the PCs from hiding at a distance of at least 100ft. Treat the PCs as if you were kiting a mob in an MMO. One group fires on them drawing them into position for attacks from another group and retreats while they turn to deal with the new threat. Use ranged attacks to maneuver them for a blindside charge by the orc barbarians waiting under cover.