Continual flame vs deeper darkness

[Kahuna Burger]

Deeper darkness is a 3rd level cleric spell. Continual flame is a 2nd level wizard spell, but a 3rd level cleric spell (with the [light] descriptor). Does continual flame negate deeper darkness when cast by a cleric but not a wizard? Neither? Both?

To make matters worse, what if it's manifested as a spell like ability?

 

[SlagMortar]

Using Lesser Globe of Invulnerability as precedent:

If a given spell has more than one level depending on which character class is casting it, use the level appropriate to the caster to determine whether lesser globe of invulnerability stops it.

I would say that continual flame does negate deeper darkness when cast by a cleric, but not by a wizard.

I'm not sure about as a spell-like ability.

 

[kreynolds]

To make matters worse, what if it's manifested as a spell like ability?

From the SRD...

A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions.

 

[Nifft]

Heighten Spell + Continual Flame = potent.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Pyrex]

Deeper darkness is a 3rd level cleric spell. Continual flame is a 2nd level wizard spell, but a 3rd level cleric spell (with the [light] descriptor). Does continual flame negate deeper darkness when cast by a cleric but not a wizard? Neither? Both?

I would say neither. Continual Flame does not have the text that Daylight does that allows it to negate Deeper Darkness within overlapping areas of effect.

However, a Cleric (or Wiz/Sor with Heighten Spell) *can* use Continual Flame to either Counter (as it's being cast) or Dispel (an in place) Deeper Darkness as those abilities are common to all spells with the [Light] or [Darkness] descriptors.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Generally speaking, having a spell at a lower level on your list is not necessarily a pure benefit.