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Darkvision and ninjas

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Caïen

Mar 27, 2015, 12:21 pm

Darkvision: Darkvision is the extraordinary ability to see with no light source at all, out to a range specified for the creature. Darkvision is black-and-white only (colors cannot be discerned). It does not allow characters to see anything that they could not see otherwise—invisible objects are still invisible, and illusions are still visible as what they seem to be. Likewise, darkvision subjects a creature to gaze attacks normally. The presence of light does not spoil darkvision.

Since it is only black-and-white, does that mean than someone wearing black cannot be seen in darkness by someone with darkvision?

Secret Wizard

Mar 27, 2015, 12:23 pm

They are able to distinguish forms... someone dressed in black with NO stealth bonus is unlikely to be able to meld with darkness.

Corvino

Mar 27, 2015, 12:39 pm

Night Vision Goggles are the comparison I'd use. It's not going to let you appreciate the vivid colours of an Expressionist painting but you'll probably be able to make out a guy in black standing in a dark room.

Dave Justus

Mar 27, 2015, 01:00 pm

They could see a person dressed in black in a black room as well as you could see a person dressed in red in a red room.

Which is to say generally fairly plainly, but if the person is skilled and making an attempt to not be noticed you might miss them.

In just a dark room (no light) as opposed to a black room where the outfit matched the room color, they would be exactly as visible to someone with darkvision as they would be to someone without darkvision who had a light source. Perfectly and completely visible.

Claxon

Mar 27, 2015, 01:10 pm

Think grayscale and black and white TV. It doesn't not mean that someone in all black is invisible anymore than someone in all black was invisible on black and white television.