Light
Cantrip · Evocation
- AOE
Light is an evocation cantrip, sitting on the bard, cleric, sorcerer, and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range Touch, components V/M, duration 1 hour. Material: a firefly or phosphorescent moss. Effect: You touch one Large or smaller object that isn't being worn or carried by someone else.
Stat Block
- Level
- Cantrip
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Touch
- Components
- V, M
- Duration
- 1 Hour
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a firefly or phosphorescent moss
Description
You touch one Large or smaller object that isn't being worn or carried by someone else. Until the spell ends, the object sheds Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
The Evocation tradition is the school of the visible spell. There is no subtle Cone of Cold; every Evocation cast is a public event. What lands Light in Evocation is the spell focuses magical energy into a visible, immediate effect. The cantrip slot on Light means the spell is always castable, regardless of remaining spell slots.
Class Fit
- Bard: For a Bard, Light is best paired with another spell using the same target on the same turn — Bonus-Action plus Action layering is where the class wins fights.
- Cleric: Wisdom is the Cleric's casting stat, and the DC scales with proficiency bonus plus Wis modifier — Light is castable at the Cleric's normal DC.
- Sorcerer: Subtle Spell removes the verbal and somatic components; if Light normally has both, Subtle lets the Sorcerer cast in chains or in a noble's parlor.
- Wizard: At tier 1 Wizards have small prepared lists. Light earns its place by either being always-relevant (Shield, Mage Armor) or by being the right answer to a known problem.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Cantrip; 20-foot radius bright light on a touched object. Required gear in any dungeon party.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Light
- What level spell is Light?
- Light sits at cantrip in the Evocation school of magic, prepared by Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard.
- What is the range of Light?
- Light is cast via touch. The caster has to reach the target with a successful melee touch (if the target is unwilling).
- How long does Light last?
- Light lasts 1 hour. It does not require concentration, so the caster can run other concentration spells alongside it.
- What components and casting time does Light need?
- For Light: the components are V, M; on top of that, Material component: a firefly or phosphorescent moss.