Darkness imposes -4 to Perception and ranged attacks, and Reflex saves (DC 15) to avoid hazards.
Darkness zones are areas with little to no light -- a power failure, a Derelict ship, or a cave system. Characters in darkness suffer a -4 penalty to Perception checks and ranged attack rolls. Additionally, they must make a Reflex save (DC 15) each round to avoid hazards such as pits, obstacles, or hostile creatures. Characters with low-light vision or thermal optics gain +4 resistance to these penalties and saves.
Rules Reference
Field
Value
Duration / Default Formula
until illuminated or exited; ticks each round
Duration / Type
persistent
Onset / Trigger
entry
Onset / Type
immediate
Prevented By
Low-light vision / thermal optics, Light source
Save / Dc
15
Save / Interval
1 round
Save / Type
Reflex
Stacking
replace
Category
hazard
Effect
description: Darkness imposes -4 penalty to Perception checks.
Field
Value
description
Darkness imposes -4 penalty to Perception checks.
modifier
-4
target
perception
description: Darkness imposes -4 penalty to ranged attack rolls.
Field
Value
description
Darkness imposes -4 penalty to ranged attack rolls.
modifier
-4
target
ranged-attack
description: Failed Reflex save may impose Blinded if hazard is severe.
Field
Value
description
Failed Reflex save may impose Blinded if hazard is severe.
modifier
blinded
target
condition
Mitigation
description: Low-light vision or thermal optics grants +4 resistance.
Field
Value
description
Low-light vision or thermal optics grants +4 resistance.
description: Engineering check (DC 15) to restore power or lighting.
Field
Value
description
Engineering check (DC 15) to restore power or lighting.
description: Use a light source.
Field
Value
description
Use a light source.
Severity Tiers
effect: -2 Perception, -2 ranged attacks
Field
Value
effect
-2 Perception, -2 ranged attacks
tier
dim
effect: -4 Perception, -4 ranged attacks, Reflex DC 15 to avoid hazards
Field
Value
effect
-4 Perception, -4 ranged attacks, Reflex DC 15 to avoid hazards
tier
dark
effect: -6 Perception, -6 ranged attacks, Reflex DC 15 to avoid hazards, Blinded on failed save
Field
Value
effect
-6 Perception, -6 ranged attacks, Reflex DC 15 to avoid hazards, Blinded on failed save