Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Prak, the Mad 08-03-06, 04:12 AM	this seemed the most relevant place to put this, so here it is. What is darkvision? I mean, seriously, what is it specifically? Low light vision is just that, the ability to see in low light conditions. and I think Darkvision is the 3.X version of what used to be infravision(ie, Infared(sp?) vision, I think), but now, it's described as being greyscale, with no color, so it's not UV, it's not Light using, in any way, and it's not heat based. what is it? (I'm writing up a backstory, and I want to know how to describe darkvision, more than just "black and white", I want to talk about it rather than say "Darkvision", because I like being able to describe something and have a reader say "Oh, that's {XX}, and it's on the character sheet, right here.")
Another Gnome 08-03-06, 04:45 AM	Something like this (http://www.sbcsar.org/images/OldPhotos/NightVision.jpg). Scientifically, darkvision would work just like a light intensifier.
Thiez 08-03-06, 07:53 AM	Except that it does not need light to function. Does that even make sense?
Callahan 08-03-06, 09:53 AM	Except that it does not need light to function. Does that even make sense? maybe it's active nightvision.
Prak, the Mad 08-03-06, 04:43 PM	Except that it does not need light to function. Does that even make sense? that's the thing. I don't think it even works in anything but pitch black darkness... if anything it would have to be echolocation or the navigation sight of the Xenomorph in Alien Vrs. Predator... which changes how it works...
greatamericanfolkhero 08-03-06, 04:51 PM	It does work with light, but if there is light, then it supersedes the darkvision. Take a Drow holding a torch. For 30ft, there is light and it uses normal vision, 30ft after that is "shadowy illumination" that is still light and still uses normal vision, then for the next 60ft the Drow uses darkvision. The presence of light does not blind darkvision. While there are some DMs who say that if there is light then the darkvision doesn't work, but that is a house rule.
cwslyclgh 08-03-06, 04:53 PM	that's the thing. I don't think it even works in anything but pitch black darkness...darkvision works just fine in situations other then pitch darkness... forinstance if you are standing in the area of a torches illumination, it will allow you to see beyond the torchlight provided that you are close enough to the edge to have some darkvision range left over. by the rules Darkvision is just like normal vision except it is black and white, however you want to justify that in your games flavor text is fine, but it should have no bearing on how it is affected under the rules.
cwslyclgh 08-03-06, 04:57 PM	30ft after that is "shadowy illumination" that is still light and still uses normal vision, then for the next 60ft the Drow uses darkvision.actually in that case I would allow the drakvision to work normaly in the shadowy area, it makes little sense to suddenly be able to see better beyond the limits of the torchlight (anything from 30-60 feet away has concealment against your ranged attacks but stuff beyond doesn't gimme a break)... I tend to allow either darkvision and normal vision to work properly which ever is more advantageous.