Darkness has range: touch?

[JChung2003]

A problem with pebbles is that someone can pick it up and throw it right back at you (or some place else); that can also be a benefit though at times. Also, you might want to cast Darkness on the ceiling or some other place gravity would prohibit a pebble from landing.

You couldn't use Reach Spell to cast Darkness on the fighter, but you could cast it on his armor...

 

[Zhure]

... that would be an attended object.
Greg

 

[kreynolds]

Since we're talkin' about Darkness and using it at range...here's a little ranged Darkness goodness...

Inkblotter: This wicked +2 unholy longbow is enchanted with the power of darkness. As a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, the wielder may enchant an arrow with lesser deeper darkness. The arrow then transfers the spell upon successfully striking a target. This power must be activated before the attack roll. The lesser deeper darkness spell will not affect creatures struck, though it can bestow the spell upon any object struck. However, it is important to note that magic items and attended items may save against this effect.
Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, lesser deeper darkness, unholy blight, creator must be evil; Market Price: 34,875 gp.

...and here's the lesser deeper darkness spell the item refers too...

Lesser Deeper Darkness
Evocation [Darkness]
Level: Clr 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Target: Object touched
Duration: 1 minute/level
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell causes the object touched to shed absolute darkness in a 10-foot radius. Even creatures that can normally see in the dark cannot see through this magical darkness. If the spell is cast on a small object that is then placed inside or under a lightproof covering, the spell’s effects are blocked until the covering is removed.

I think this was the first item I posted here, and it's still one of my favorites.

 

[JChung2003]

... that would be an attended object.
Greg

It should be noted that Darkness is Saving Throw: None so neither the fighter nor his armor (if it can make saving throws) can make a saving throw. However, since it is attended, the caster has to make a successful touch attack (melee or ranged, if he has the Reach Spell feat).

The fighter could still escape the Darkness effect by taking off his armor and moving away from it since it's centered on his armor, not himself.