Eyes of the Dark, a feature from the Shadow Magic (Sorcerer) class, allows the PC to cast darkness by expending a spell slot, or 2 sorcery points. If I cast the spell in that way (either expending a spell slot or 2 sorcery points) am I allowed to cast another spell that requires Concentration?
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2\$\begingroup\$ Not to be pedantic, but the current wording of your question asks whether a PC can cast another spell that requires concentration, period. I get the sense that what you actually meant to ask is whether you can cast another spell that requires concentration and still keep up the first spell. Is that right? Because it's a materially different question. \$\endgroup\$– screamlineAug 4, 2019 at 1:38
1 Answer
No, you can't cast and maintain another concentration spell at the same time
The description of the Shadow Magic sorcerer's Eyes of the Dark feature (XGtE, p. 51) is below:
When you reach 3rd level in this class, you learn the darkness spell, which doesn't count against your number of sorcerer spells known. In addition, you can cast it by spending 2 sorcery points or by expending a spell slot. If you cast it with sorcery points, you can see through the darkness created by the spell.
Nothing in that indicates that the normal rule of concentrating on only one spell at a time is suspended when you cast the darkness spell by either method. If you cast another concentration spell, your concentration on the darkness spell will end.
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\$\begingroup\$ @nitsua60: Note: As of Xanathar's, your second option (cast with effective duration of zero while maintaining darkness) is ruled out; Xanathar's made it clear you lose concentration when you begin casting another spell requiring concentration. Sage Advice Compendium was also updated, so it's "core". \$\endgroup\$ Apr 30, 2022 at 12:32
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\$\begingroup\$ @ShadowRanger interesting. It's moot, anyway, since the post covers the "right" analysis, so I'll go ahead and remove my earlier comment. \$\endgroup\$– nitsua60 ♦Apr 30, 2022 at 15:48