Casting Darkness as higher than 2nd level...

[Otterscrubber]

So in the Darkness spell it states that it snuffs out light spells of 2nd level or lower. But it does not have any text about casting darkness as higher level, I'm curious if folks interpret or house rule this spell to snuff out light spells equal or lower to the level of the spell slot used to cast the darkness spell?

 

[jaelis]

So in the Darkness spell it states that it snuffs out light spells of 2nd level or lower. But it does not have any text about casting darkness as higher level, I'm curious if folks interpret or house rule this spell to snuff out light spells equal or lower to the level of the spell slot used to cast the darkness spell?

Per the book there is no advantage to upcasting darkness. But letting it raise the dispelling level cap seems like a fine way to play.

(Do note that, by the book, even the lowliest glowing magic item will illuminate the darkness, since it only stops non-magical light and light from spells.)

 

[Swarmkeeper]

So in the Darkness spell it states that it snuffs out light spells of 2nd level or lower. But it does not have any text about casting darkness as higher level, I'm curious if folks interpret or house rule this spell to snuff out light spells equal or lower to the level of the spell slot used to cast the darkness spell?

Sounds reasonable to me. If a player asked for that, I'd allow it. I'd also allow for it to last longer - maybe 10 extra minutes for each level "upcasted".

 

[cooperjer]

I've had a long discussion with my warlock player about this early on in my home game. The net result was to allow higher level darkness to dispell light from spells of equal level or lower to the darkness spell. In cases where light is not natural and not from a spell (i.e. light from a flame tongue sword) then the darkness is illuminated. In general darkness is illuminated unless otherwise specified by the spell. However, I still feel that if the game were in Barovia then the opposite would be true. In this theoretical game in Barovia, the general rule would be darkness smothers light.