How do "light sources" work in this game?

[Swimfan]

Something I have been struggeling with is the extreme lack of accuracy my characters seem to have everywhere.
Standing right next to an enemy with a melee weapon? Target obscured!
Having the high ground with an archer on an enemy (not being threatened)? Too bad, obscured!

I know how darkvision works but I have never really used torches so far (only cast cantrips that gave light). So how do I do it? Do I cast the light at my target's location or does the light source have to be close to my character without the darkvision? Because if they have to be at the target's location, aren't torches useless? And how do archers even use them if their weapon is twohanded?

Oh and how do I know if a room is considered "dark"? Because I haven't seen some sort of "warning" sign anywhere and not every room is automatically dark - or are they!? :-O

[Hex]

It works like it would work in real life. A torch isn't going to help you see someone outside the area the torch illuminates. Also, enemies have AC, some quite high. Also also, I don't remember 100% because I haven't played the EA in ages, but shooting with a bow into an enemy engaged in melee should have a reduced hit chance.

[Swimfan]

Originally posted by Hex:

It works like it would work in real life. A torch isn't going to help you see someone outside the area the torch illuminates. Also, enemies have AC, some quite high. Also also, I don't remember 100% because I haven't played the EA in ages, but shooting with a bow into an enemy engaged in melee should have a reduced hit chance.

So I need to illuminate the enemy I'm trying to hit?
This would mean torches are only good for melee characters, right? And archers are dependent on mages that illuminate their targets for them?

[Hex]

Originally posted by Swimfan:

Originally posted by Hex:

It works like it would work in real life. A torch isn't going to help you see someone outside the area the torch illuminates. Also, enemies have AC, some quite high. Also also, I don't remember 100% because I haven't played the EA in ages, but shooting with a bow into an enemy engaged in melee should have a reduced hit chance.

So I need to illuminate the enemy I'm trying to hit?
This would mean torches are only good for melee characters, right? And archers are dependent on mages that illuminate their targets for them?

You can also cast grease and then set it on fire. Or set the target on fire. But yes.