Confused about darkness/light interaction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Confused about darkness/light interaction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ChefOrc
12-09-04, 11:13 PM The description of the spell darkness states that it counters or dispels light spells of equal or lower levels. What does that mean exactly?

Does "counter" mean that you can use darkness as a counterspell when another magic user casts light?

Does "dispel" mean that casting darkness in an area with light negates the light spell in addition to producing magical darkness, or does it mean that the two spells are now cancelled? This confusion arises because of the description of the spell deeper darkness that says that it cancels out with daylight and that the normal lighting conditions prevail. Is this different from the interaction between darkness and light, and if yes is it because darkness is of higher level than light (contrary to the deeper darkness/daylight case)?
SphericalTime
12-10-04, 02:47 AM It means that, exactly, you can use darkness to counter or dispel the spell light.

Yes, as a counterspell, yes.

The two spells are both canceled if cast on top of each other. Supernatural darkness, in this case, does not prevail.

And I can't make sense out of the rest of that.
ChefOrc
12-10-04, 11:10 AM I guess the last part of my post was not clear, sorry. What I meant is that my confusion comes from the fact that the description of deeper darkness specifically says that it and daylight cancel each other out, so that natural lighting conditions prevail, whereas the description of darkness does not say that. I may have been reading too much into this, but I though this was because deeper darkness and daylight are of equal levels (both level 3), thus producing a cancelation of their effects, whereas the level 2 spell darkness is of higher level than the spell light with the result that darkness negates light and also creates magical darkness.

Hope this is clearer...
CruelDM
12-10-04, 12:22 PM Strangely, the effects of a darkness spell are the exact same effect as a lit candle ?!?!?

An area of shadowy illumination. I spent days trying to figure that one out and finally gave up.

Anyway, 2 spells of equal level (light vs. darkness) simply cancel each other and the normal lighting condition apply (I know that darkness has a higher level, but the authors said they are the same as far canceling each other). A greater spell (deeper darkness vs light) cancels the lesser and its effects apply to the surrounding.
crusader1179
12-10-04, 12:27 PM This question may be a little off topic... but since everyone here is familiar with the spells, I thought it may be appropriate. Is 3.5 Deeper Darkness unbalanced in its time duration? Compare to Darkness and Daylight-- its opposite. You thoughts please?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ChefOrc 12-09-04, 11:13 PM	The description of the spell darkness states that it counters or dispels light spells of equal or lower levels. What does that mean exactly? Does "counter" mean that you can use darkness as a counterspell when another magic user casts light? Does "dispel" mean that casting darkness in an area with light negates the light spell in addition to producing magical darkness, or does it mean that the two spells are now cancelled? This confusion arises because of the description of the spell deeper darkness that says that it cancels out with daylight and that the normal lighting conditions prevail. Is this different from the interaction between darkness and light, and if yes is it because darkness is of higher level than light (contrary to the deeper darkness/daylight case)?
SphericalTime 12-10-04, 02:47 AM	It means that, exactly, you can use darkness to counter or dispel the spell light. Yes, as a counterspell, yes. The two spells are both canceled if cast on top of each other. Supernatural darkness, in this case, does not prevail. And I can't make sense out of the rest of that.
ChefOrc 12-10-04, 11:10 AM	I guess the last part of my post was not clear, sorry. What I meant is that my confusion comes from the fact that the description of deeper darkness specifically says that it and daylight cancel each other out, so that natural lighting conditions prevail, whereas the description of darkness does not say that. I may have been reading too much into this, but I though this was because deeper darkness and daylight are of equal levels (both level 3), thus producing a cancelation of their effects, whereas the level 2 spell darkness is of higher level than the spell light with the result that darkness negates light and also creates magical darkness. Hope this is clearer...
CruelDM 12-10-04, 12:22 PM	Strangely, the effects of a darkness spell are the exact same effect as a lit candle ?!?!? An area of shadowy illumination. I spent days trying to figure that one out and finally gave up. Anyway, 2 spells of equal level (light vs. darkness) simply cancel each other and the normal lighting condition apply (I know that darkness has a higher level, but the authors said they are the same as far canceling each other). A greater spell (deeper darkness vs light) cancels the lesser and its effects apply to the surrounding.
crusader1179 12-10-04, 12:27 PM	This question may be a little off topic... but since everyone here is familiar with the spells, I thought it may be appropriate. Is 3.5 Deeper Darkness unbalanced in its time duration? Compare to Darkness and Daylight-- its opposite. You thoughts please?