Could anyone recommend good ways in combat how to use this spell? Thinking of getting it but not sure how to use it effectively with a Human character.
with a human? it turns yourself blind, you'd need a way to have darkvision for it to not hurt you.
In combat it's used when everyone has darkvision aka half-orc or dwarf and the enemies don't aka humans and halflings, because it effectively blinds all the enemies. If you have allies without darkvision then it makes them blind.
Even as a human, it works great if you need to stop enemies from targeting your party (such as with ranged attacks or spells) right the hell now. Drop it and make your escape (or your tactical regroup). Also great for sowing confusion in a crowded room.
But yeah, find a way to pick up darkvision (such as the darkvision spell, available at around the same level) before use for maximum benefit.
Hmm, well, you could go Human Unchained Rogue and pick up the Rogue talents for it(the darkness from the Rogue talents do not affect the Rogue so you can see in it even though you don't have darkvision) and go to town.
Eventually you also get Greater Gloom Magic which gives you Deeper Darkness(this also doesn't affect the Rogue) which creatures with Darkvision can't see through even. Free sneak attacks!
This is the way I'm taking my Tiefling Rogue atm, at level 7 I'm planning on picking up the Tiefling feat Blinding Sneak Attack which has the potential to blind any creature struck by my Rogue's sneak attack from within magical darkness.
By the way, what are you playing?
Giantslayer campaign, sorry should have mentioned
Even better. Most giants don't have darkvision. : ) If they're tall enough, drop the darkness on the giant's helmet or something so it only hits their heads. (This may require reach spell, though.)
Nightmare Fist style for drows with inquisitor levels and huge intimidate scores. Unarmed Strike with a few monk levels or brawler then use tandem trip with your buddies.
Which spells for a Cleric would you like to use when an enemy is blinded by darkness? I don't see a lot in terms of BFC on the list
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Assuming you can still see your target, spiritual weapon and other attack roll-based spells. I *think* an ongoing spiritual weapon will continue to whack its designated target after casting darkness whether you can see or not, so there's that too.
Assuming you can still see your target, spiritual weapon and other attack roll-based spells. I *think* an ongoing spiritual weapon will continue to whack its designated target after casting darkness whether you can see or not, so there's that too.
Nice, never considered adding that spell to my slot. Is it mostly used just to blind them like a blindness spell and then have my half orc martial chop the enemy to bits? Is that the idea?
That is certainly a viable strategy. Being blind is quite debilitating to most creatures. Also, rogues love blind targets.
Is there any way to cast it without touching enemey. Blahpers how would you use it? Since I will be a caster cleric I don't think I can afford making a touch attack on my enemy. Could I make a touch attack on my melee barbarian and the darkness could radiate from him thus blinding my enemy?
Is there any way to cast it without touching enemey. Blahpers how would you use it? Since I will be a caster cleric I don't think I can afford making a touch attack on my enemy. Could I make a touch attack on my melee barbarian and the darkness could radiate from him thus blinding my enemy?
yeah, you can touch it on the orc and he'll radiate darkness, effectively blinding anyone near him without darkvision.
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Technically, it targets objects, not creatures:
Target object touched
If you have the reach spell feat, you could zap the enemy's clothes/helmet/whatever from close range with a ranged touch attack. That should be achievable with a caster cleric if your Dexterity isn't too terrible. Situationally, there may be better targets, such as a chandelier or something. Worst case, cast it on a rock, then throw the rock.
Also, keep in mind that it only lowers the light level one step. If it isn't already dim light, the effects will be less pronounced than total blindness.
One of my allies has scent but not darkvision, would that help them hit enemy in darkness?
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One of my allies has scent but not darkvision, would that help them hit enemy in darkness?
They would know what squares enemies are in, but still have a 50% miss chance and suffer from difficult terrain.
Technically, it targets objects, not creatures:
Target object touchedIf you have the reach spell feat, you could zap the enemy's clothes/helmet/whatever from close range with a ranged touch attack. That should be achievable with a caster cleric if your Dexterity isn't too terrible. Situationally, there may be better targets, such as a chandelier or something. Worst case, cast it on a rock, then throw the rock.
Also, keep in mind that it only lowers the light level one step. If it isn't already dim light, the effects will be less pronounced than total blindness.
Would I be able to reach into my pocket or spring loaded wrist sheath and throw the rock? Is there any way to make it a free action or swift action (the act of reaching into pocket/sheath and throwing the rock)?
Sticking Darkness drops the light level by one. Do it outdoors during the day, and the bright light becomes normal. A second darkness does not stack. If it is not bright, but only normal (say a cloudy day), then you drop to dim light. The giants can still see (w/20% concealment). If you wait 'till twilight (i.e. dim light), it drops to dark, where normal vision fails (w/50% concealment), but darkvision can still see. Note lowlight vision sees farther than normal, but not in anyplace normal cannot see.
With Deeper Darkness, you drop two steps, and can get to supernatural darkness which shuts down darkvision.
My recommendation for spell use is Darkness on a tar (or other sticky substance) in a bottle you can toss at the head of the giant. Then the sticky stuff gets dark, and is higher than the party. However, that may not be high enough.
For fast acting darkness, cast it on ammo, like shuriken or arrows. The get used at the speed of your weapon attacks.
If you want something permanent, you need an Eclipsed Continual Flame can be stored in a lightproof container to be used as needed. Use the Heighten feat to make it harder to counter/dispell.
/cevah
Sticking Darkness drops the light level by one. Do it outdoors during the day, and the bright light becomes normal. A second darkness does not stack. If it is not bright, but only normal (say a cloudy day), then you drop to dim light. The giants can still see (w/20% concealment). If you wait 'till twilight (i.e. dim light), it drops to dark, where normal vision fails (w/50% concealment), but darkvision can still see. Note lowlight vision sees farther than normal, but not in anyplace normal cannot see.
With Deeper Darkness, you drop two steps, and can get to supernatural darkness which shuts down darkvision.My recommendation for spell use is Darkness on a tar (or other sticky substance) in a bottle you can toss at the head of the giant. Then the sticky stuff gets dark, and is higher than the party. However, that may not be high enough.
For fast acting darkness, cast it on ammo, like shuriken or arrows. The get used at the speed of your weapon attacks.
If you want something permanent, you need an Eclipsed Continual Flame can be stored in a lightproof container to be used as needed. Use the Heighten feat to make it harder to counter/dispell.
/cevah
I just fought you in one of my campaigns (Glorio Arcona display pic) and slayed you. You were formidable, but in the end we took over your mansion.