D&D 5E Too Many PC Races With Darkvision? (a Poll)

[DND_Reborn]

According to my quick run of PC races I know of (I am sure I might have missed some...), more than half of all PC races get darkvision. IMO, this is a shame because darkness is one of the greatest elements for creating mystery and suspense, etc. For exploration, it is also a key component. And well more than half of the core PHB races have darkvision.

I know there are arguments for many races, some pretty strong, some weak. And there are races that IMO should have it, but don't (I'm looking at you, Dragonborn!).

So, I wanted to get your opinion. Below are dozens of playable races, vote for the race if you think they should have darkvision.

 

[jasper]

If I was in charge I would cut the number of pc races with dark vision to a fourth. But I would allow it as a feat.

 

[Oofta]

I wish they would go back to having a half-way point of low light vision. Having entire parties with darkvision is a pain.

At least it's dim light so perception checks are at disadvantage and color doesn't come through.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I wouldn't mind 1/3 having darkvision, 1/3 having "shadowsight" (dim light becomes bright, dark remains dark), and 1/3 having normal vision.

Or maybe a 30/30/40 split, etc.

I just think it is WAY too common, but most people seem to be against any sort of "nerf" to PCs...

 

[Charlaquin]

I liked how in 4e, or at least in early 4e, Darkvision was a monster thing, whereas PCs got low-light vision at most. (Natrurally, that is. You could still gain Darkvision through magic or whatever.)

 

[Stalker0]

Honestly I would just give Dwarves darkvision as a special aspect of their race.

Elves already have keen vision, yes they are effected by light, but ultimately still less so than humans because of their perception advantage. They don't need to see in dark just as well as the race that lives underground.

 

[Monayuris]

I agree that too many races get dark vision.

But, darkvision isn’t all that bad. There is still a trade off (disadvantage on perception and -5 to passive can make a difference between getting ambushed or triggering a trap).

Personally, I follow the OD&D approach. Monsters have perfect vision in darkness, PCs have the by-the-book version. If for whatever reason, a monster becomes allied with the PCs or becomes a PC race, they get by-the-book darkvision.

So orcs as monsters see perfectly in total darkness, but an orc PC gets the imperfect Darkvision trait.

If a party wants to rely on darkvision, just remember to enforce the rules

 

[Krachek]

None

 

[DND_Reborn]

None

Interesting... not even drow and similar Underdark races?

EDIT: I added a "NONE OF THE ABOVE" option for you.

 

[Krachek]

Interesting... not even drow and similar Underdark races?

EDIT: I added a "NONE OF THE ABOVE" option for you.

Indeed strictly none. it´s a game, a cooperative one, in a movie or novel the ones with darkvison have their own spotlight time, but in a day to day game, I think it’s better to level everyone one this.