Darkness

Darkness is a level 2 evocation spell. This spell allows spellcasters to conjure a cloud of darkness in an area within range that obscures and blinds those within it.

Description

Create a cloud of magical darkness that Heavily Obscures and Blinds creatures within. Creatures cannot make ranged attacks into or out of it.

Properties

Cost: Action + Level 2 Spell Slot
Details: Range: 18 m / 60 ft; Creates Area: Darkness; Concentration

At higher levels

Upcast: Casting this spell at a higher level doesn't grant any additional benefits.

Area: Darkness

The spell creates a cloud with the following properties.

AoE: 5 m / 17 ft (Radius)
Duration: 10 turns

Creatures within the area are affected by the following conditions:

Blinded

Ranged attacks and spells have a range of 3 m / 10 ft and Attack Rolls suffer Disadvantage.
Attack Rolls against Blinded creatures have Advantage.

Blinded

Heavily Obscured

Hiding in a Heavily Obscured area. Will go undetected unless they get too close to another creature.

How to learn

Classes:

Class Level 3: Sorcerer , Warlock , Wizard , and Circle of the Land Druid (Swamp)

Class Level 5: Oathbreaker Paladin (Oath Spell)

Class Level 6: College of Lore Bard (via Magical Secrets)

Class Level 7: Eldritch Knight Fighter

Class Level 8: Arcane Trickster Rogue

Class Level 10: Bard (via Magical Secrets)

Races:

Character level 5: Drow, Drow Half-Elf, and Asmodeus Tiefling

(Character level is the sum of all class levels for a multi-classed character.)

Notes

Drow, Drow Half-Elfs, and Asmodeus Tieflings can only cast the spell once per Long Rest.
Way of Shadow Monks gain the ability to cast a version of this spell called Shadow Arts: Darkness at level 3, at the cost of 2Ki Points.
Effects that grant sight in magical darkness, such as the Warlock Eldritch Invocation Devil's Sight, Eversight Ring from act 2, and Helldusk Helmet from act 3, allow ranged attacks into and out of this spell's area.