Why aren't human armies getting their asses kicked by elves, dwarves, orcs, hobgoblins, etc. etc. exploiting darkvision to BTFO night-blinded humans?
Non-human infantry and cavalry can run up to the humans and kill with darkvision 60 feet.
If the humans are carrying torches and lanterns, then the non-humans can open fire with archers and crossbowmen, while the humans have no visual.
>Why aren't human armies getting their asses kicked by elves, dwarves, orcs, hobgoblins, etc. etc. exploiting darkvision to BTFO night-blinded humans?
Presumably, they try to, but it's not like human civilization was just plopped down apropos nothing into a fantasy realm. It gradually emerged alongside elves, dwarves, goblins, and so on, and so a fantasy world is going to take steps to deal with that.
I don't know what those steps are because I don't usually deal with army-scale combat in my D&D sessions, but there must be something.
Humans are hardasses who live in walled cities and towns. Going beyond the walls, past the fields and cleared defensive perimeters is dangerous. They also use alchemy to make fantasy flashbangs to spoil the enemies darkvision.
In many ways, humans are the odd ones out. They are noted for insularity and brusque manners around metahumans.
Humans are typically friends with all the other races and do have access to spells that can emulate the ability. You don't need everyone to have it, just a few key people who can warn others. Humans are able to withstand this weakness being exploited because they've got a lot of friends and are resourceful.
Geographical problems.
Depends on setting.
Is there a Mass Darkvision spell?
That's why you bring a half-breed breeding program or hire mongrel mercenaries.
Unless the conflict is drawn perfectly drown racial lines (and if there are mongrels running around, it's probably not) that seems kind of unnecessary.
War does not happen how you think it does in fantasy settings. War is based around Individuals of Mass Destruction who can turn the tides of wars singlehandedly, not around individual soldiers.
You're assuming those Individuals of Mass Destruction have any interest in the affairs of lesser beings.
>"You mean to tell me that you want me to leave my comfy tower to risk life, limb, and eyesight to duke it out with some other fellow who's probably only there because I am? No thanks, go ask someone else.
humans dont exist in a vacuum where they have absolutely no idea about the capabilities of their foes
they know their own weakness as much as the enemy does, and will adapt weapons and strategy to minimize night fighting and punish the enemy if they they think they can score an easy win by attacking at night
or have overwhelming daylight attacks to beat the enemy before nightfalls, so the enemy is on the defensive at night and incapable of pressing their advantage
Generally they're the ones who start the wars in my experience.
if you want there to be yes
Traps. Lots and lots of traps and pre-sighted and ranged seige weapons. One clear path cleanly marked with red paint. Dark vision is strictly black and white. You want to see the safe route, you light up a torch and we can see you. If we can see you, we can drop a boulder on your head. If we can't see you, good luck with the shit-smeared punji sticks.
Humans know the other races can see in the dark, so when warring against such races, they light their camps up like the 4th of July. 60ft is not that far, the human sentries will have spotted you and put a crossbow bolt in your face before you even get that close
Assuming 60ft darkvision, what stops dedicated/skilled humans from doing the exact same things? 60ft is pretty short, and any proper military camp (unless attempting to sneak undetected, making cold camps) will be lit. 60ft is not enough to sight an enemy encampment over the plains; unless the raiders know beforehand where the enemy camp is they'd get very little scouting advantage over humans.
Similarly, what keeps skilled archers & crossbowmen from doing the exact same thing as their darkvision counterparts? Maybe it would be slightly more difficult to load your crossbow or nock an arrow but assuming a decent level of experience, your average professional soldier should be able to load and fire in the dark.
It depends how strong the magic is. In low to mid fantasy tiers more people almost always trumps individual abilities, much like in real life. In high fantasy it's a different story, as you suggest.
If only we had fifty years of practical experience with how useful being able to see a decent distance is in the dark against human soldiers who can't or some shit to draw on.
Ask Achilles and Hektor
humans aren't night blinded, as you would know if you had ever spend a night outside.
Dark vision is only an adventage where there is zero light, aka dungeons and underdark.
Humans take territory during the day, then try to fortify and hold out overnight.
>vs. Elves
Humans usually have a large numerical advantage, but have to worry about archers with centuries of practice. Shield walls and mobile barriers protect workers starting forest fires. You won't wind up killing a lot of elves, they keep running off, but you can force them to surrender.
>vs. dwarves
Again, probable numeric advantage, but dwarves are more likely to attack in heavy infantry formations with siege weapon backup. May attack at night for visibility advantage, but tend to go light on ranged weaponry (except for siege.)
>vs. orcs, gobs, etc.
Yeah, they'll attack at night, the darker the better. They're assholes like that. It's a real pain.
60 feet of black-and-white vision is actually pretty pitiful for an army, all things considered.
Even the races with darkvision probably aren't going to be doing much.
Demi-humans don't exist in large enough number to replace humans, and demi-humans can't afford the losses in warfare that humans can.
Once again Gygax is proven right and modern D&D is shit.
Race-as-class exists because adventuring elves/dwarves/halflings are that rare.