Lately my players have been venturing without light sources such as torches, lanterns.
They've been making up for it by casting light on rocks and throwing them ahead, but they still often don't have enough light sources to not get disadvantage when they themselves are still in the darkness.
I asked them about it, and it's because they feel like holding a torch or lantern when starting combat takes at least one free hand that they could hold something else in. And the person with the light cantrip doesn't wanna use it on weapons.
Here is my proposed house rule:
House rule:
New use for lighting
Any object that sheds bright light can be used in combat as a bonus action to attempt to blind a creature.
Make an improvised weapon attack. On a hit the enemy makes a DC 12 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it has disadvantage on its next attack roll. If it fails by 5 or more, the creature is blinded until the end of its next turn.
Would this house rule make sources of light useable in combat without taking away from how other usable combat items work?
The reason I am doing this is because I don't like feeling like players are being punished because of constantly failing to see stuff. For example, last session they missed a hidden door and got attacked from both sides.