I'm planning on hiring an NPC spellcaster to cast heightened continual flame for me so that I have a defense against darkness effects. I don't want to spend more than I have to though, so I was wondering: What is the highest level darkness effect in the game (excluding heightened/modified darkness effects)?
Is it deeper darkness? Would I only need to pay for a 4th-level spell? Or is there something else somewhere (perhaps a creature ability)?
AFAIK deeper darkness. I don't really know too many of the UC or UM spells though so someone might come in and trump me.
This would produce 7th level...but I'm guessing that's the same idea as heighten.
You can search around here. I already checked the descriptors starting with darkness.
Polar midnight, 9th level, ultimate magic.
Thanks everyone. Still should I just go with 4th-level and save the money? It seems like nearly all published monsters with darkness generating abilities always either emulate the darkness or deeper darkness spells.
Item w/darkvison? True Seeing? A seeing eye dog?
I think countering 4th level effects is fine; If you're facing off against somethig wipping off 5th level or higher Darkness effects you'll have more to worry about then not seeing them...like you and your party frying at the end of a lightning arc.