from the basic DMG
Darkvision
A monster with darkvision can see in the dark within a specific radius. The monster can see in dim light within the radius as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. The monster can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Many creatures that live underground have this special sense.
from the basic PHB
Darkvision
Many creatures in the worlds of D&D, especially those that dwell underground, have darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision can see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far as that creature is concerned. However, the creature can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Good question.
From the PHB:
Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet o f you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Darkvision. Many creatures in the w orlds o f D&D, especially those that dwell underground, have darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision can see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far as that creature is concerned. However, the creature can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
So both?
I looked at every instance of Darkvision, and the second description appeared only once. The former was used for all PC races. So I guess you get to make a ruling.
(Edited to add the second portion since I missed it the first time.)
Within the range listed, dim light is treated as bright light and darkness is treated as dim light but you can only see in shades of grey.
That there is a slight difference in the text between the different sources is unintentional.
As someone else had suggested I would also always refer to the basic rules as they are the most up to date.
abs1nth wrote:
dafrca wrote:
Problem is, the Basic PHB pdf differs from the Basic DMG pdf on this point, specifically, dim light and darkvision interaction.
Now, being a person who might have seen a couple version fo D&D, I said "well that's silly, darkvision naturally makes dim light just like normal light" but.... well... 
Specific beats general.
- The rules written in the DM basic rules is the general rule regarding darkvision. Specific rules will be found throughout the document, but especially in the various monster statblocks.
- The rules written in the various PC race entries are specific to those races. Use those rules when dealing with PC races.
The entries for darkvision changed multiple times during party test, the leaked alpha rules, the printed books and the basic rules pdfs. Not sure what the difficulty is.
consider all of those as erratas, so which one is the newest? the newest one is the right one.
Darkvision. You see in dim light within a 60-foot radius of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness in that radius as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
This is also from the LMoP character sheets.
Okay, this is a case where you just need to apply common sense. Is there any reasonable and discernible reason why they would intentionally make darkvision inconsistent? No, there isn't. The simple interpretation (and almost certainly the correct one) is that they accidentally neglected to mention the part about seeing in dim light as if it were bright light in the one place where it wasn't mentioned. Everywhere else is consistent. It's an anomaly to be ignored and eventually errataed.
I am a little disappointed they nixed lowlight vision as a lesser option for certain races. I get that having only one kind of enhanced vision makes it easy and consistent. I just wish there was a bit more granularity. As it is now, it all feels a little too homogenous and ubiquitous.
I've toyed with the notion of houseruling it back in. Downgrading certain races to lowlight (but at double their previous range). So elves, for example, would have it at 120-feet. Except drow, of course, who would keep their darkvision as-is.
I don't see a discrepency.
The rules for Dim Light specifically state that it "creates a lightly obscured area"; Dim Light is also used as an example of a lightly obscured area.
Thus, any time you are using the rule(s) for Dim Light, you are using the rule(s) for a lightly obscured area (at least in reference to Vision and Light); whether or not you are reminded of the connection by the specific text.
ChrisCarlson wrote: