Darkness

A
Control

Darkness is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

See all Control spells →
 spell that blankets an area in magical darkness, creating
battlefield control

Darkness is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
 and smothering lesser light.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, M (bat fur and a piece of coal)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

For the duration, magical Darkness spreads from a point within range and fills a 15-foot-radius Sphere. Darkvision can't see through it, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.

Alternatively, you cast the spell on an object that isn't being worn or carried, causing the Darkness to fill a 15-foot Emanation originating from that object. Covering that object with something opaque, such as a bowl or helm, blocks the Darkness.

If any of this spell's area overlaps with an area of Bright Light or Dim Light created by a spell of level 2 or lower, that other spell is dispelled.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, M (bat fur and a drop of pitch or piece of coal)
Duration
Concentration, 10 minutes
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to fill a 15-foot radius sphere for the duration. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.

If the point you choose is on an object you are holding or one that isn't being worn or carried, the darkness emanates from the object and moves with it. Completely covering the source of the darkness with an opaque object, such as a bowl or a helm, blocks the darkness.

If any of this spell's area overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell that created the light is dispelled.

Darkness 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The object-based version changed: in 2024, the darkness can only be cast on an object that isn’t being worn or carried, and it fills a 15-foot Emanation from that object instead of moving with a held object. It also now dispels any 2nd-level-or-lower spell creating Bright Light or Dim Light.

Darkness popularity

Darkness is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Darkness

  • Hunger of Hadar 3rd-level conjuration

    It creates a magical, obscuring area that also affects vision and occupies a zone for several rounds, making it a close functional cousin to Darkness.

  • Fog Cloud 1st-level conjuration

    Both spells produce an area that blocks sight and are used to obscure movement and control what enemies can see on the battlefield.

  • Silence 2nd-level illusion

    Although it blocks sound rather than sight, it serves the same tactical purpose of denying senses inside an area and shaping fights around that zone.

  • Web 2nd-level conjuration

    Web is an area-control concentration spell that shapes the battlefield and impedes foes inside its 15–60 foot zone in a way similar to how Darkness reshapes lines of sight.

  • Spike Growth 2nd-level transmutation

    This level-2 concentration spell alters a region of the battlefield to punish and channel enemy movement, matching Darkness's role in area denial and tactical manipulation.