When is infravision not enough (ie. when must you use light)

[AxeMental]

My impression is that infravision allows you to see detail enough to walk, see warm blooded creatures and movement of cold blooded. But what else can you do with it (perhaps there are situations where its not all or nothing where light would help alot but isn't required) (examples: read words on scroll, find certain types of traps, write, notice a still cold blooded creature in ambush position, identify types of coins on the ground (is it gold or just copper) that sort of thing etc. )

Thanks in advance.

[foxroe]

I've always ruled that you can see well enough in darkness to move about normally and partake in combat. Anything more needs visual light. YMMV

It really depends on how "sensitive" you think the vision should be. Is it sensitive enough to differentiate between the subtle thermal differences between gold and copper or ink and paper? If you haven't, I recommend looking through a firefighter's thermal imager if you ever get the chance. It's how I envision it looks (puns absolutely intended! ).

[darnizhaan]

It seems reasonable that you wouldn't be able to see a map, or lettering.

But you probably should be able to see a stone golem even if it is the same temperature as the rock wall because it is established that you can see the walls, floor, etc. around you.

[thedungeondelver]

My ruling is: maps and normal writing, no. Scrolls, runes, etc. have an "energy" of their own and are probably readable, at least by magic-users/clerics/etc. in low-to-no light situations, esp. with infravision.