So I'm preparing to DM my first Pathfinder game this weekend, and I'm finding myself stuck regarding an issue pertaining to the title of this thread.
The core rulebook states on page. 172 that in darkness all Perception checks that rely on sight take a -4. But that characters are effectively blinded who do not have dark vision. So my issue comes down to, if characters are effectively blinded how are they even allowed a Perception check at all to spot someone in Stealth? More so my issue is, at what range would someone even be allowed to make such a check? 5 feet? 10 feet max?
Thank you for any help you're all able to offer.
Because there is a difference (or there should be) between being able to pinpoint someone and being able to sense someone. You don't automatically spot someone, but you might sense someone or even locate the square they are in. Perception is more than sight. This can be done at any range afaik.
If you are only 5 feet away, you can make a touch attack to locate someone though.
The Range would only add another +1 on the DC per 10 ft. of distance.
So if you're in total darkness and someone is stealthing 20 ft. away you would get a Perception check at basically -6 vs. the stealth check of your enemy. If you succeed you know that someone(or something) is there, you might even know the position and could try to react (attack, hide yourself, cast light... whatever ;)).