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<blockquote data-quote="Charlaquin" data-source="post: 8859320" data-attributes="member: 6779196">I have mixed feelings about infravision. On one hand, I like that it conveys different information than normal vision, rather than just allowing you to see normally without a light source. I also like that it doesn’t work in bright light, because then you have to make a choice between normal vision or infravision. On the other hand, the fact that it conveys different information than normal vision makes it more complicated to deal with in play. I’m not used to having to think about things like whether or not a given creature gives off an infrared signature, or how long footprints would remain warm enough to follow with infravision.I also kind of like the quasi-naturalistic explanation for some creatures being able to see in the dark, but at the same time it’s a bit science-y for my tastes. Darkvision I can just tell myself is magic and not worry about it; Infravision raises questions like do elves/dwarves/gnomes/orcs have pits under their eyes like vipers? Why doesn’t their own internal body heat interfere with their infravision? The closer you get to a scientific explanation for extraordinary abilities, the more the ascientific elements stand out to me.Part of me wants to have infravision, ultravision, and night vision all as different vision types that various species can have and that all work in different ways and convey different information. Part of me thinks that would be way more trouble than it’s worth, and just sticking to simple Darkvision has the better depth-to-complexity ratio.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Charlaquin, post: 8859320, member: 6779196"] I have mixed feelings about infravision. On one hand, I like that it conveys different information than normal vision, rather than just allowing you to see normally without a light source. I also like that it doesn’t work in bright light, because then you have to make a choice between normal vision or infravision. On the other hand, the fact that it conveys different information than normal vision makes it more complicated to deal with in play. I’m not used to having to think about things like whether or not a given creature gives off an infrared signature, or how long footprints would remain warm enough to follow with infravision. I also kind of like the quasi-naturalistic explanation for some creatures being able to see in the dark, but at the same time it’s a bit science-y for my tastes. Darkvision I can just tell myself is magic and not worry about it; Infravision raises questions like do elves/dwarves/gnomes/orcs have pits under their eyes like vipers? Why doesn’t their own internal body heat interfere with their infravision? The closer you get to a scientific explanation for extraordinary abilities, the more the ascientific elements stand out to me. Part of me wants to have infravision, ultravision, and night vision all as different vision types that various species can have and that all work in different ways and convey different information. Part of me thinks that would be way more trouble than it’s worth, and just sticking to simple Darkvision has the better depth-to-complexity ratio. [/QUOTE]

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