Vision and Light - AD&D 2E Rules

Introduction

Before a character can do anything in the dungeon or the wilderness, he has to be able to see what he is doing. If a character can't see a target, his chances of hitting it are very small. If he can't see, he can't read a scroll or a large "Keep Out" sign on the wall. In the AD&D game, characters can see set distances and often by fantastic means that defy logic.

Limits of Vision

The first limitation on vision is how far away an object can be before it cannot be seen clearly. Size and weather have a great effect on this. Mountains can be seen from great distances, 60 to 100 miles or more, yet virtually no detail can be seen. On level ground, the horizon is about five to 12 miles away, but a character usually cannot see a specific object that far away. The limit of vision for seeing and identifying man-sized objects is much less than this.

1500 yards

Under optimum conditions, the maximum range at which a man-sized object can be seen is about 1,500 yards, if it is moving. If the object doesn't move, it usually cannot be seen at this distance. Even if it is moving, all that can be seen is a moving object. The character cannot tell what it is or what it is doing.

1000 yards

At 1,000 yards, both moving and stationary man-sized objects can be spotted. General size and shape can be determined, but exact identifications are impossible. It is not likely that creature type can be identified at this range, unless the creature has a very unique shape.

500 yards

At 500 yards, general identifications can be made. Size, shape, color, and creature type are all distinguishable. Individuals still cannot be identified, unless they are distinctively dressed or separated from the rest of the group. Livery and heraldic symbols or banners can be seen if large and bold. Most coats of arms cannot be distinguished at this distance. General actions can be ascertained with confidence.

100 yards

At 100 yards, individuals can be identified (unless, of course, their features are concealed). Coats of arms are clear. Most actions are easily seen, although small events are unclear.

10 yards

At 10 yards, all details but the smallest are clear. Emotions and actions are easily seen, including such small actions as pick-pocketing (if it is detectable).

Of course, conditions are seldom perfect. There are a number of factors that can reduce visibility and alter the ranges at which things can be spotted and identified. Table 62 lists the effects of different types of conditions. All ranges are given in yards. "Movement" indicates the maximum distance at which a moving figure can be seen. "Spotted" is the maximum distance a moving or a stationary figure can be seen. "Type" gives the maximum distance at which the general details of a figure can be seen--species or race, weapons, etc. "ID" range enables exact (or reasonably exact) identification. "Detail" range means small actions can be seen clearly. There are many factors other than weather that affect viewing. Size is an important factor. When looking at a small creature (size S), all categories are reduced to the next lower category (except the "detail" range, which remains unchanged). Thus, under clear conditions, the ranges for seeing a small creature are "movement" at 1,000 yards, "spotted" at 500 yards, "type" at 100 yards, and "ID" and "detail" at 10 yards. When sighting large creatures, the "movement," "spotting," and "type" ranges are doubled. Exceptionally large creatures can be seen from even greater distances. Large groups of moving creatures can be seen at great distances. Thus, it is easy to see a herd of buffalo or an army on the march. The ranges given in Table 62 do not take terrain into account. All ranges are based on flat, open ground. Hills, mountains, tall grass, and dense woods all drastically reduce the chances of seeing a creature. (The terrain does not alter sighting ranges, only the chances of seeing a creature.) Thus, even though on a clear day woods may hide a bear until he is 30 yards away, it is still a clear day for visibility. The bear, once seen, can be quickly and easily identified as a bear. The DM has more information on specific terrain effects on sighting. As a final caveat, the ranges in Table 62 assume Earthlike conditions. Sighting conditions on one of the Lower Planes, or the horizon distance on another world, could be entirely different. If your DM feels he must take this into account, he will have to learn more about this subject at his local library or make it up.

Light

Most characters cannot see much without light. Some night conditions (those for the outdoors) are given in Table 62. But all of these assume some small amount of light. In totally lightless conditions, normal vision is impossible, unless a source of light is carried by the party. Light sources vary in the area they affect. Table 63 gives the radius of light and burning time for the most common types of light sources. Of course, while a lantern or fire enables characters to see, it does have some disadvantages. The greatest of these is that it is hard to sneak up on someone if he can see you coming. It is hard to remain inconspicuous when you have the only campfire on the plain, or you are carrying the only torch in the dungeon. Furthermore, not only do creatures know you are coming, they can generally see you before you see them (since the light source illuminates the area around you, those outside this area can see into the area). Characters should always bear these risks in mind.

Infravision

Some characters and monsters have the power of infravision. This can mean one of two things, depending on whether the standard or the optional rule is used (this is discussed in detail in the Dungeon Master Guide). The choice is left to the DM and he must tell the players how he wants infravision to work. Regardless of how the power functions, the range of infravision is at most 60 feet unless otherwise noted.

Using Mirrors

At times it is useful for characters to look at objects or creatures via reflections in a mirror. This is particularly true of those creatures so hideous (such as a medusa) that gazing directly upon them might turn the viewer to stone. When using a mirror, a light source must be present. Second, attempting to direct your actions by looking in a mirror is very disorienting (try it and see). Thus, all actions requiring an ability or proficiency check or an attack roll suffer a -2 penalty. The character also loses all Dexterity bonuses to Armor Class if fighting an opponent seen only in a mirror.

Tables

Table 62: Visibility Ranges

Visibility ranges under different weather conditions

Condition	Movement	Spotted	Type	ID	Detail
Clear sky	1500	1000	500	100	10
Fog, dense or blizzard	10	10	5	5	3
Fog, light or snow	500	200	100	30	10
Fog, moderate	100	50	25	15	10
Mist or light rain	1000	500	250	30	10
Night, full moon	100	50	30	10	5
Night, no moon	50	20	10	5	3
Twilight	500	300	150	30	10

All distances are in yards.

Table 63: Light Sources

Common light sources, their radius of illumination, and burning time

Source	Radius	Burning time
Beacon lantern	240 ft.*	30 hrs./pint
Bonfire	50 ft.	½ hr./armload
Bullseye lantern	60 ft.*	2 hrs./pint
Campfire	35 ft.	1 hr./armload
Candle	5 ft.	10 min./inch
Continual light	60 ft.	Indefinite
Hooded lantern	30 ft.	2 hrs./pint
Light spell	20 ft.	Variable
Torch	15 ft.	30 min.
Weapon**	5 ft.	As desired

* Light from these is not cast in a radius, but rather in a cone-shaped beam. At its far end, the cone of light from a beacon lantern is 90 feet wide. A bullseye lantern has a beam 20 feet wide at its far end.

** Magical weapons shed light if your DM allows this optional rule.

Vision Concepts

Visibility Categories

Movement: Maximum distance at which a moving figure can be seen
Spotted: Maximum distance a moving or stationary figure can be seen
Type: Maximum distance at which general details (species, race, weapons) can be seen
Id: Maximum distance for exact or reasonably exact identification
Detail: Maximum distance at which small actions can be seen clearly

Size Modifiers

Small creatures: All categories reduced to next lower category (except 'detail' range)
Large creatures: Movement, spotting, and type ranges are doubled
Exceptionally large: Can be seen from even greater distances
Large groups: Can be seen at great distances (herds, armies)

Terrain Effects

Terrain does not alter sighting ranges, only the chances of seeing a creature

Light Disadvantages

Hard to sneak up on someone who can see you coming
Difficult to remain inconspicuous with the only light source
Those outside illuminated area can see in before you see them

Infravision

Range: At most 60 feet unless otherwise noted

Rules: Can function in one of two ways, determined by DM (standard or optional rule)

Mirror Usage

Requirements: Light source must be present

Penalties:

All ability/proficiency checks and attack rolls suffer -2 penalty
Character loses all Dexterity bonuses to Armor Class against opponents seen only in mirror