A creature with darkvision: - Can roll Perception at disadvantage to perceive something in the dark - Gets a -5 to Passive Perception in the darkness A creature without darkvision cannot make a check to perceive anything. ## In the rules > Darkvision. Many creatures in fantasy gaming worlds, especially those that dwell underground, have darkvision. Within a specified range, a creature with darkvision can see in darkness as if the darkness were dim light, so areas of darkness are only lightly obscured as far as that creature is concerned. However, the creature can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. [^phb] On dim light: > A given area might be lightly or heavily obscured. In a lightly obscured area, such as dim light, patchy fog, or moderate foliage, creatures have disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight. [^phb] On passive checks: > If the character has advantage on the check, add 5. For disadvantage, subtract 5. [^phb] > Joining these three rules together we come to this: > > A character with darkvision has -5 to passive Perception checks while within darkness. [^sly] [^phb]: Wizards of the Coast. (2014). _Player's handbook (Dungeons & Dragons)_. [^sly]: Shea, M. (2021). _Darkvision isn't as good as you think_. Retrieved from https://slyflourish.com/darkvision_isnt_as_good_as_you_think.html .