D&D 5E Light VS Dancing Lights

[TrueBagelMan]

Why would someone pick dancing lights over light?

 

[commandercrud]

Range. Multiple lights.

 

[Haldrik]

Why would someone pick dancing lights over light?

Dancing Lights because of being able to illuminate multiple targets at a distance, is strictly better.

The question is, why would anyone pick Light?

 

[Eltab]

Why would someone pick dancing lights over light?

To be able to move the lights around.

If you are a hidden sentry, you can let a small party of foes go past you and cast Dancing Lights above / behind them to let your allies know they are coming. You can keep the Lights far enough away from the ground that they do not cast shadows in the night. And you can move the lights along as the intruders head to wherever they are going. (Tried this in a game session. Next time I bring an empty box or a mask or something to smother the verbal component.)

 

[Benjamin Olson]

I chose them for RP reasons when my character had the entertainer background as obviously they have a lot more performance potential. They're also just more stylish.

In terms of practical advantages, as inconvenient as concentration and having to move them with your bonus action is, it also means you have more ongoing control. You can extinguish the light without any action cost by choosing to end concentration whereas with light you have to either cover it or use an action to put it out.

They aren't generally as practical as Light, which works a lot more like a lantern or torch, but then on the other hand they do a lot more that couldn't be accomplished with a lantern or torch than Light does (especially since other cantrips like Druidcraft or Prestidigitation can light or extinguish the lantern or torch).

Really I wouldn't recommend either. All Light does is save someone having to hold a dedicated light and Dancing Lights is neat but not a dependable light source in combat due to the need for bonus action management and the dependence on concentration. Both are handy enough, but you only get a few cantrips.

 

[Lanefan]

Dancing Lights is a distraction for other people so they (hopefully) don't notice you. Light is a practical spell for you so you can see where you're going. The choice of which to take depends on which of these uses you're most likely to run into most often.

 

[billd91]

Dancing Lights because of being able to illuminate multiple targets at a distance, is strictly better.

The question is, why would anyone pick Light?

Duration and lack of the need for concentration.

 

[DND_Reborn]

DIM LIGHT ONLY + Shadow Blade = Rogue always getting advantage on attacks.

Both have uses and in nearly every party I've been part of both cantrips are taken by someone.

Light also is a lot longer and doesn't require concentration.

 

[Leatherhead]

Dancing Lights.
Upsides: Longer range, multiple light sources, can move lights around and hang them in the air, can theoretically make a glowing person as a distraction.
Downsides: Needs Concentration(Big minus), 1 min duration, requires a bonus action to move and moving has some finicky rules for movement, dim light only.

Light.
Upsides: Bright light and dim light, bigger light radius, can be cast on an object which can then be thrown/shot/moved, can be controlled by stowing the object, doesn't require somatic components, lasts 1 hour, doesn't require concentration, can be used to mark or track targets.
Downsides: Shorter range (requires touch), only one light, targets only objects.

Personally, I never go with Dancing Lights, there are better things to concentrate on.

 

[Ancalagon]

Just, like, cast tiny servant on a lantern, man.