If a spell does not say it sheds light I wouldn't let players use it as a light source except to light a fire or a torch. The fire and torch would be non-magical sources of light, and so could not illuminat the area, but also would not be dispelled by it.
That seems reasonable. So by that measure, Faerie Fire would be dispelled, but Guiding Bolt would not, although it's hard to imagine how "the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then."
I think it might be fair enough if they do use lightning or fire to see it glow away inside the dark and give people rough split second silhouettes of who it burns around and a guess where its emanating from. (still disadvantage to hit but a chance of hitting, but first that would only matter if you assume someone who is blind cant aim at targets 500' away with a longbow 'because its only blindness / darkness - the rules say Disadvantage doesnt stack and dont say I cant fire at them just that I get disadvantage)
That is where I approach darkness from - I want to build a game world and have it make some sense not have blind people able to pinpoint the enemy.
That seems reasonable. So by that measure, Faerie Fire would be dispelled, but Guiding Bolt would not, although it's hard to imagine how "the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then."
The light doesn't take effect until after the spell hits so it would be dispelled - the spell does damage but no laser guidance.
EDIT: It's also important to consider that if Darkness doesn't dispel any of these spells, then they would be completely unaffected because Darkness only affects non-magical light. I guess I should amend my earlier statement about Guiding Bolt. It's either all or nothing.
yup my bad... I find it interesting that continual flame isn't dispelled by darkness either by how we're reading it here.
But if you look at darkness closely it doesn't state that the light has to be magical at all just that the spell creates light that overlaps the area of the darkness.
Honestly tho I would probably judge that only spells where the primary effect is light would be effected by the spell all other spells simply have their light suppressed.
Only times I might change that would be in adventures where light is a big deal light fights against Drow or Aberrations where having the magic act erratically would add flavour and coolness to the encounter.
But if you look at darkness closely it doesn't state that the light has to be magical at all just that the spell creates light that overlaps the area of the darkness.
Darkness does two things. It obscures non-magical light and it dispels spells of level two or lower that cast an area of light.
So in response to your comment, if it is not dispelled and if it is not non-magical light, darkness does not affect it. At least that’s how I read it.
Darkness plus the warlocks' Devil's sight invocation means that you can see, but enemies can't, even those with darkvision! Devil's sight lets you see through dark, dim, or *magical* darkness!
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If a spell does not say it sheds light I wouldn't let players use it as a light source except to light a fire or a torch. The fire and torch would be non-magical sources of light, and so could not illuminat the area, but also would not be dispelled by it.
Extended Signature
That seems reasonable. So by that measure, Faerie Fire would be dispelled, but Guiding Bolt would not, although it's hard to imagine how "the next attack roll made against this target before the end of your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical dim light glittering on the target until then."
"Not all those who wander are lost"
I think it might be fair enough if they do use lightning or fire to see it glow away inside the dark and give people rough split second silhouettes of who it burns around and a guess where its emanating from. (still disadvantage to hit but a chance of hitting, but first that would only matter if you assume someone who is blind cant aim at targets 500' away with a longbow 'because its only blindness / darkness - the rules say Disadvantage doesnt stack and dont say I cant fire at them just that I get disadvantage)
That is where I approach darkness from - I want to build a game world and have it make some sense not have blind people able to pinpoint the enemy.
The light doesn't take effect until after the spell hits so it would be dispelled - the spell does damage but no laser guidance.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
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Create Bonfire
Dancing lights
Light
Produce Flame
Flame Blade
Flaming Sphere
Moonbeam
all dispelled by Darkness raw if you think Guiding bolt is affected then a ton of spells would be shut down by Darkness
Create Bonfire doesn’t specifically say it produces an area of light so it wouldn’t be dispelled. Yeah, I think that is ridiculous too.
EDIT: It's also important to consider that if Darkness doesn't dispel any of these spells, then they would be completely unaffected because Darkness only affects non-magical light. I guess I should amend my earlier statement about Guiding Bolt. It's either all or nothing.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Darkness dispels all of the above listed spells except Bonfire.
Extended Signature
yup my bad... I find it interesting that continual flame isn't dispelled by darkness either by how we're reading it here.
But if you look at darkness closely it doesn't state that the light has to be magical at all just that the spell creates light that overlaps the area of the darkness.
Honestly tho I would probably judge that only spells where the primary effect is light would be effected by the spell all other spells simply have their light suppressed.
Only times I might change that would be in adventures where light is a big deal light fights against Drow or Aberrations where having the magic act erratically would add flavour and coolness to the encounter.
Light sources or lack there of, also effect how you can use Gloomstalker Rangers too.
Blank
Darkness does two things. It obscures non-magical light and it dispels spells of level two or lower that cast an area of light.
So in response to your comment, if it is not dispelled and if it is not non-magical light, darkness does not affect it. At least that’s how I read it.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Unless of course, you have Devil's sight, right? >:)
Old enough to be a Grognard,
Young at heart enough to enjoy 5e
Darkness plus the warlocks' Devil's sight invocation means that you can see, but enemies can't, even those with darkvision!
Devil's sight lets you see through dark, dim, or *magical* darkness!