V, M (Bat fur and a drop of pitch or piece of coal)
Duration
Concentration, Up to 10 minutes
School
Evocation
Level
2
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.
How Darkness plays
You fill a 15-foot-radius sphere within 60 feet with magical darkness for up to 10 minutes while you concentrate. Darkvision can’t see through it, nonmagical light can’t light it, and it spreads around corners. If you cast it on an object you’re holding or one no one is wearing or carrying, the darkness moves with the object, and covering the object with something opaque blocks it.
Inside the sphere, everyone is effectively blind. Attacks against a creature you can’t see have disadvantage, and a creature that can’t be seen has advantage on its attacks, so when both sides are in the dark the two usually cancel out. What really changes is targeting: most spells need you to see your target, so Darkness shuts down ranged casters and archers looking in from outside.
When to pick Darkness
Warlocks with Devil’s Sight get the most out of it. That invocation lets them see normally in magical darkness, so they attack with advantage while enemies attack them with disadvantage. Just remember your allies can’t see in there either.
Escapes and blocking sight lines. Drop it between your party and the enemy archers or spellcasters, or on the doorway you’re retreating through.
Not with a party that needs to see. Cast it on your own front line and your healer can’t target them with Healing Word. Talk about it before you use it.
Common questions
Can you see through Darkness with darkvision?
No. Darkvision only works on nonmagical darkness. Blindsight, truesight and a warlock’s Devil’s Sight invocation can see through it.
What happens when you fight inside Darkness?
Everyone in it is effectively blinded. Your attacks against a creature you can’t see have disadvantage, and its attacks against you have disadvantage too, but each of you also has advantage on attacks against someone who can’t see you, so the effects usually cancel out and both sides roll normally.
Does the Light cantrip dispel Darkness?
No, it works the other way. If Darkness overlaps light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, like Light, that light spell is dispelled. Daylight, a 3rd-level spell, dispels Darkness instead.
Can I cast Darkness on my shield or weapon?
Under the 2014 rules, yes: cast it on an object you’re holding and the darkness moves with it, and you can block it by covering the object. The 2024 version only lets you cast it on an object no one is wearing or carrying.
Can I target a creature inside Darkness with a spell?
Only if the spell doesn’t require you to see the target. Fireball aimed at a point still works; Hold Person and Healing Word don’t.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Same level, casting time, range, components, duration and dice; the text is reworded for the 2024 rules glossary.
Casting time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, M (bat fur and a piece of coal)
Duration
Concentration, up to 10 minutes
School
Evocation
Level
2
Classes
Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Tags
concentration
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.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
