My big takeaway from this discussion is whether you can even see the area of effect if you cast moonbeam outside during the day. Because if you can, then we have to strongly consider whether the dim light from dancing lights would dim bright ambient light within the radius.
That's an excellent point. I've only ever seen it cast in dark conditions because people (A) wanted it visible and (B) used it against invisible targets and/or shapechangers.The spell description doesn't specify what's at the top of the column, which is presumably the "source" of the moonbeam. It's an evocation spell, so the energy is being pulled from somewhere. Usually, this is another plane of existence, but it could be a miniature portal to the moon itself. Or this particular portal to the positive energy plane resembles or incorporates a moon somehow.
Even if we cannot see the light itself, we need to be able to recognize the effect. And the spellcaster needs to be able to reposition it.
I think the wording is the difference. Dancing lights sheds dim light. Moonbeam fills a space with dim light. I would say dancing lights to not dim bright light, but moonbeam probably does within its area of effect. By the way, this discussion has made me realize there really isn't a good light-dimming spell other than darkness. Shadow of Moil does it as a secondary effect, but I wanted a spell specifically to create dim shade. So I made one.
Shade LEVEL cantrip CASTING TIME 1 Action RANGE/AREA self COMPONENTS V, S, M * DURATION Concentration 10 Minutes SCHOOL Evocation
Magical shadows fill a 15-foot-radius sphere around you for the duration. The shadows spread around corners. The shadows turn bright light in the area to dim light.
I think the wording is the difference. Dancing lights sheds dim light. Moonbeam fills a space with dim light. I would say dancing lights to not dim bright light, but moonbeam probably does within its area of effect.
You know what, I can support this. But specifically for "filled." Words like cast, emit, shed, and provide are all additive. Only the few effects that use "fill" were the ones that thematically made sense to reduce light.
By the way, this discussion has made me realize there really isn't a good light-dimming spell other than darkness. Shadow of Moil does it as a secondary effect, but I wanted a spell specifically to create dim shade. So I made one.
Shade LEVEL cantrip CASTING TIME 1 Action RANGE/AREA self COMPONENTS V, S, M * DURATION Concentration 10 Minutes SCHOOL Evocation
Magical shadows fill a 15-foot-radius sphere around you for the duration. The shadows spread around corners. The shadows turn bright light in the area to dim light.
* a smudge of soot
It is a crying shame this isn't real. My shadow monk with warlock dip ninja AL character could absolutely use this (took prestidigitation instead to put out torches...).
That's an excellent point. I've only ever seen it cast in dark conditions because people (A) wanted it visible and (B) used it against invisible targets and/or shapechangers.The spell description doesn't specify what's at the top of the column, which is presumably the "source" of the moonbeam. It's an evocation spell, so the energy is being pulled from somewhere. Usually, this is another plane of existence, but it could be a miniature portal to the moon itself. Or this particular portal to the positive energy plane resembles or incorporates a moon somehow.
Even if we cannot see the light itself, we need to be able to recognize the effect. And the spellcaster needs to be able to reposition it.
I think the wording is the difference. Dancing lights sheds dim light. Moonbeam fills a space with dim light. I would say dancing lights to not dim bright light, but moonbeam probably does within its area of effect. By the way, this discussion has made me realize there really isn't a good light-dimming spell other than darkness. Shadow of Moil does it as a secondary effect, but I wanted a spell specifically to create dim shade. So I made one.
Shade
LEVEL cantrip
CASTING TIME 1 Action
RANGE/AREA self
COMPONENTS V, S, M *
DURATION Concentration 10 Minutes
SCHOOL Evocation
Magical shadows fill a 15-foot-radius sphere around you for the duration. The shadows spread around corners. The shadows turn bright light in the area to dim light.
* a smudge of soot
"Not all those who wander are lost"
You know what, I can support this. But specifically for "filled." Words like cast, emit, shed, and provide are all additive. Only the few effects that use "fill" were the ones that thematically made sense to reduce light.
It is a crying shame this isn't real. My shadow monk with warlock dip ninja AL character could absolutely use this (took prestidigitation instead to put out torches...).