07-14-2010, 01:14 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
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How realistic is Night Vision?
Night Vision is listed as a mundane physical advantage. I expected to see some listed limit to how many levels a normal human can have, but there is none. Should there be one, or are there people who really can see perfectly clearly in almost total darkness?
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07-14-2010, 01:19 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Vermont
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
There should be some limit, sure. Cats probably have Night Vision 4-5; Owls might have 7 or 8. I'd limit a human to 2 or 3 in an ultra-realistic campaign.
In a cinematic or slightly pulpy game, I'd have no problem allowing up to 5, for a "mundane" human, it's not going to break any games. I've never had a player try for anything unreasonable, though.
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07-14-2010, 01:34 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
In terms of actual physiological effects, in order to fit real-world darkness into a -1 to -9 scale, the human limit is about 1 level (and cats have around 2 levels). However, it's also possible to simply learn to function with limited information -- basically, specialization in the "low light combat" maneuver, or whatever -- and it's not obvious what the limits of that would be.
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07-14-2010, 01:57 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Iceland*
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
According to Kromm, Night Vision 2 is about the limit in a realistic setting. This reflects both actual better light processing by the eyes and familiarity with low-light conditions.
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07-14-2010, 03:16 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
But does it really matter when all you have to do is buy up your acute vision or perception?
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07-14-2010, 03:16 PM | #6 |
Dog of Lysdexics
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Melbourne FL, Formerly Wellington NZ
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
Though also remembers sum of is with those levels of Night Vision also have the GURPS Fantasy version of Night Vision 1 where we take -1 in full daylight due to glare and eyestrain where other don't (yes there is a reason my glasses are tinted)
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07-14-2010, 03:46 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
Earth biologically speaking, I think that's more night vision plus a lack of bright light adaptation than a true single feature, if that makes any sense.
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07-14-2010, 06:35 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
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07-14-2010, 08:27 PM | #9 | |
Computer Scientist
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dallas, Texas
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
Quote:
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07-14-2010, 08:40 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: How realistic is Night Vision?
That's a blind fighting skill, which I don't think costs 1 point per level.
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