D&D 5E What's the point of having Low-Light Vision

[Cendorn]

Low-Light Vision - Why?

So I'm an Elf. One of my friends is Human, and the other is a Dwarf.

We enter a cave room. It is pitch black. I cast my Light-cantrip.

So now we have light 20 feet into the cave, and dim-light for another 20.

The Dwarf doesn't care much. He can see 60' in total darkness, so unless we run into some nicely coloured paintings he doesn't need any light at all.

The human can see 40'. Okay, the last 20 is dim-lighted to him, but...? What does that matter? Where is the rule that makes this a problem? Does he suffer disadvantage on search and perception checks? Do targets have concealment? I can't find the rules.

The only thing I can find is that a Thief-Assassin can try to hide in dim-light. So if we run into an assassin I have an advantage on my Human pall. But is that all?

Help me out here. I know there must be something I’m missing.

I have a vague memory about old rules where I as an Elf would have bright light 40’ and dim-light for another 40’ thanks to my low-light vision. But in DD Next…

 

[Klaus]

Low-Light Vision - Why?

So I'm an Elf. One of my friends is Human, and the other is a Dwarf.

We enter a cave room. It is pitch black. I cast my Light-cantrip.

So now we have light 20 feet into the cave, and dim-light for another 20.

The Dwarf doesn't care much. He can see 60' in total darkness, so unless we run into some nicely coloured paintings he doesn't need any light at all.

The human can see 40'. Okay, the last 20 is dim-lighted to him, but...? What does that matter? Where is the rule that makes this a problem? Does he suffer disadvantage on search and perception checks? Do targets have concealment? I can't find the rules.

The only thing I can find is that a Thief-Assassin can try to hide in dim-light. So if we run into an assassin I have an advantage on my Human pall. But is that all?

Help me out here. I know there must be something I’m missing.

I have a vague memory about old rules where I as an Elf would have bright light 40’ and dim-light for another 40’ thanks to my low-light vision. But in DD Next…

Attacks against targets in dim light suffer disadvantage.

 

[GX.Sigma]

Yeah, the whole idea of dim light is just meaningless in D&D Next. I'm pretty sure they mentioned in one of the livestream games that elves just have darkvision now.

 

[rjfTrebor]

i've never had low-light vision not be clunky in any game i've ran or played in. if it's gone, i wouldn't miss it.

 

[Shiroiken]

Dim Light is considered Lightly Obscured. That is not enough for stealth normally, but there are creatures (such as Wood Elves) that only need Lightly Obscured to hide.

Most DMs I know apply Disadvantage on Perception and Search rolls in Dim Light. I don't think that's RAW, but it makes sense and might be in the final version.

 

[The Human Target]

i've never had low-light vision not be clunky in any game i've ran or played in. if it's gone, i wouldn't miss it.

Yup.

Vision rules are always clunky.

 

[MarkB]

I have a vague memory about old rules where I as an Elf would have bright light 40’ and dim-light for another 40’ thanks to my low-light vision.

That certainly seems like a better option. Being able to see twice as far in limited lighting conditions would definitely be worth something.

 

[Cendorn]

Attacks against targets in dim light suffer disadvantage.

Is this so? Where is the rule?

I think it would make sense that ranged attacks against someone in bad light would suffer some penalty, but I can not find the rule.

Obviously this is something worth considering, but RAW...

 

[GX.Sigma]

Attacks against targets in dim light suffer disadvantage.

This is not true as far as I can tell. There is only one rule associated with low light: If you're in low light, you're lightly obscured. "Lightly obscured" has no mechanical meaning except that some creatures can hide if they're only lightly obscured.

 

[Philousk]

Indeed...


In the document "How to play", it is mentioned that some monsters and characters have special abilities to try to hide (Stealth) in areas that are only lightly obscured (Dim-light) as if they were in heavily obscured areas (Darkness).


But I did not find any example ... Can someone give me an example of monsters or characters?