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General Tabletop Discussion
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Too Many PC Races With Darkvision? (a Poll)
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<blockquote data-quote="Sword of Spirit" data-source="post: 8396967" data-attributes="member: 6677017"><p>Something important that a lot of people miss because it isn't stated as directly in 5e as it was in 3e: you can't make out fine details with Darkvision (because it counts as Dim light and you can't make out fine details in Dim light).</p><p></p><p>This means you can't read. You can't tell what a painting is (maybe you can see a mottled surface, but you won't be able to discern details). You are likely to step on small objects left laying around, etc. </p><p></p><p>Dim light has few (though significant) mechanical penalties, but it has really hefty conceptual penalties.</p><p></p><p>Races with Darkvision and the ability to manipulate tools wouldn't intentionally live their lives that way. Their homes and settlements will be lit, although not as brightly as humans, because they only need to cover the area with what would normally be Dim light so that it will become Bright for them.</p><p></p><p>When creatures with Darkvision travel they will use light sources. They won't need as many of them, or might use dimmer ones like glowing fungus, but they won't want to trip over things. They really would only intentionally douse the lights when they are trying to be sneaky.</p><p></p><p>And as has been said, make sure to apply that Perception penalty for all traps, ambushes, secret doors etc. Can't read, can't tell what's on a mural, can't find the secret doors, can't see the monsters lurking in ambush.</p><p></p><p>Having Darkvision is useful in certain situations, but it should not, as presented, obviate the need for light, when the DM correctly understands and applies the rules.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Sword of Spirit, post: 8396967, member: 6677017"] Something important that a lot of people miss because it isn't stated as directly in 5e as it was in 3e: you can't make out fine details with Darkvision (because it counts as Dim light and you can't make out fine details in Dim light). This means you can't read. You can't tell what a painting is (maybe you can see a mottled surface, but you won't be able to discern details). You are likely to step on small objects left laying around, etc. Dim light has few (though significant) mechanical penalties, but it has really hefty conceptual penalties. Races with Darkvision and the ability to manipulate tools wouldn't intentionally live their lives that way. Their homes and settlements will be lit, although not as brightly as humans, because they only need to cover the area with what would normally be Dim light so that it will become Bright for them. When creatures with Darkvision travel they will use light sources. They won't need as many of them, or might use dimmer ones like glowing fungus, but they won't want to trip over things. They really would only intentionally douse the lights when they are trying to be sneaky. And as has been said, make sure to apply that Perception penalty for all traps, ambushes, secret doors etc. Can't read, can't tell what's on a mural, can't find the secret doors, can't see the monsters lurking in ambush. Having Darkvision is useful in certain situations, but it should not, as presented, obviate the need for light, when the DM correctly understands and applies the rules. [/QUOTE]
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Too Many PC Races With Darkvision? (a Poll)
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