Daylight Adaptation

[Llanthyr]

Since the MUD has generally moved towards 3rd ed mechanics, I have to question the requirement of the feat "daylight adaptation" forced on halfdrow and orcs and other races with the threat of code abuse otherwise. The code has been set up so that you can't see what is around you clearly in the surface without the feat, although I am not sure if the to-hit penalties are there (though I assume they are).

This makes it such that those who want to be in the surface for a prolonged period will either be forced to take the feat for practicality, or sacrifice that for being quite bad at finding their way or killing stuff.

[Nylo]

I don't see any problem with this? If you want the benefits, spend a feat point. If the benefits aren't worth it to you - don't spend a feat point. Just like any other feat. Or am I understanding your point wrong?

[Solaghar]

Pretty sure this is currently working as designed, there is a price for leaving the Underdark and being daylight creatures. If you only go out at night you're not affected by any maluses. I worked really hard to make the Underdark an interesting and exciting place on its own, as opposed to simply a place that was so boring that players couldn't wait to get out to the surface. I'd say that the Underdark races taking a penalty to being outside in the daylight is hardly code abuse.

[Llanthyr]

Maybe I'm not making my point clear enough.

Current situation (unless it has changed and I am mistaken): Certain races are forced to take the feat if they wish to venture to the surface (otherwise it is considered code abuse).

From helpfile:

* Please note that any half-drow that travel the surface lands are
expected to take the daylight adaptation feat. Any halfdrow on the
surface without this feat would be considered to be abusing code and
subject to a strike.

If this stance has changed, then my suggestion would be to remove this from the helpfile. If the stance remains that these underground races and orcs and goblinoids MUST take this feat if they travel to the surface, then my suggestion is to get rid of such a stance. The reasoning has been reiterated by Nylo and Solaghar.

[Nylo]

Well, the reason half-drow are like that, is because they don't have coded light sensitivity like the other races. So if you travel the surface, you're getting all the benefits without the disadvantages. However, as all the ones we have are from the Underdark, ICly they do have light sensitivity, it's just not coded.

[Athon]

I agree with Llanthyr on this point. If the penalties for being on the surface in the daylight are coded (such as blindness and the hit penalties), then the feat should NOT be required for the surface. Give players options. Drow raids on the surface are somewhat common in lore and FR's most popular character shows how Drow can 'tolerate' the sun by use of cloaks and cowls (though never truly become used to it).

The argument of "having advantages of the Underdark" really doesn't apply anymore because of the ECL changes that have brought Drow and every race right in line with each other. That should be more than enough to start removing some of these restrictions from races.


Edit: For reference, this is the source disadvantage of light blindness: drow are blinded for one round in abrupt daylight (or the daylight spell) and then 'dazzled' for all subsequent rounds in the light.

Code: Select all

Dazzled: The creature is unable to see well because of overstimulation of the eyes. A dazzled creature takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, Search checks, and Spot checks. 

Daylight adaptation is certainly worth feat if you plan on visiting the surface at least somewhat regularly. But for a once-in-a-lifetime sort of situation, it shouldn't be required.

[Selveem]

I don't know where, specifically, I stand on this. What I am certain of is my belief that the punishment does not fit the "crime."

A strike should be something that comes from severe abuse. It's a recorded response from the staff to a player that they are conducting themselves in a manner that is leading to their inability to play the game any longer. Throwing strikes around willy-nilly is like giving the death sentence for anyone who owns an unauthorized copy of a CD's song.

I understand that all coded disadvantages are not in the game for blindly walking out into daylight. Likewise, however, all coded protections against the sunlight are not in-game, either. Fair?

[Nylo]

Athon: Drow and orcs are not required to take the feat, it is optional for them. It is only required at the moment for halfdrow.

A possible solution might be editing the halfdrow race to add light sensitivity, and daylight adaptation as an automatic feat for NPCs. This would prevent any halfdrow NPCs on the surface from breaking, if there are any, while allowing players more choice in their feats.