Thanks Mathias. Clearly I'm missing a concept here, because adding an abImprove -30 to raDarkVis also doesn't seem to do anything. Looking at the Debug Field History, it looks at though abImprove remains 0.
Code:
<thing id="raKPDaywDE" name="Daywalker" description="A mutation has given this derro eyes that are much better able to withstand the harsh glare of the sun. The derro no longer has light sensitivity, and its darkvision is reduced to 30 ft. This racial trait replaces poison use." compset="AltRaceTrt" uniqueness="unique">
<comment>TO DO:
Change to Darkvision range is not reflected in the special tab.</comment>
<usesource source="bKPAdvRace"/>
<tag group="RaReplace" tag="raLightSen"/>
<tag group="Helper" tag="NoPathSoc"/>
<tag group="AllowRCust" tag="rKPLDerARC"/>
<tag group="RaReplace" tag="raPoiUse"/>
<tag group="Helper" tag="SpecUp"/>
<bootstrap thing="raDarkVis">
<assignval field="abImprove" value="-30"/>
</bootstrap>
</thing>