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While it's been established that concentration spells can't overlap (When exactly does a concentration spell end from casting another one?) this brings up the nitpicky question of 'how long is the gap between one concentration spell ending and the other beginning?

Example:

I cast Darkness on myself and that spell completely obscures me from sight for as long as I concentrate on it.

Darkness:

Magical darkness spreads from a point you choose within range to fill a 15-foot-radius sphere for the duration. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and nonmagical light can't illuminate it.

While I'm concentrating on the darkness spell, I cast Invisibility

A creature you touch becomes invisible until the spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is invisible as long as it is on the target’s person. The spell ends for a target that attacks or casts a spell.

So now I'm invisible.

It's well established that the spell effects from concentration spells can't overlap, so the darkness spell ends when I start concentrating on Invisibility.

But nothing mentions the amount of time that passes between each.

The Problem:

Say I'm trying to hide my identity, or otherwise pull a "mysterious force" scam and I don't want my opponents to see me at all.

Does the Darkness end when I start casting the Invisibility spell?
(in which case I'm visible, briefly, while the invisibility spell is cast)

Or does the darkness end as soon as the invisibility takes effect?
(So I never actually become visible?)

And to be clear, I'm not asking about the converse (First cast Invisibility, then cast Darkness) because the act of casting any spell would end the Invisibility, and that strikes me as a potentially different case with potentially different rules in play.

And this seems different from the combat use case mentioned in the previous question; the spells don't overlap, and the amount of time they don't overlap doesn't matter in game mechanics. But in the case, it actually does matter because of what my opponents do, or do not, see.

Covered in RAW/Sage Advice/Etc. anywhere, or is this down to GM's discretion?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Does that ask the same question and give you an answer? If not, let me know how it is different! \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 4, 2019 at 23:25
  • \$\begingroup\$ That answers it perfectly! Wish I'd found that in my search before I typed up my question :) \$\endgroup\$
    – Σ of eDπ
    Commented Jun 4, 2019 at 23:30
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    \$\begingroup\$ No worries! Your question will help other people find the answer. I also added an answer to the question you mention which says the same thing as the dupe I linked before. Glad we could help you get an answer! \$\endgroup\$ Commented Jun 4, 2019 at 23:32
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    \$\begingroup\$ I think possily not a duplicate. casting happens during a combat turn which has essentially zero duration \$\endgroup\$
    – Jasen
    Commented Jun 6, 2019 at 10:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ That's a valid point. The rules really don't say how long an action/turn lasts but they do say "A round represents about 6 seconds in the game world. During a round, each participant in a battle takes a turn." (PHB 189) I'd GM that as you are basically visible for the fraction of 6 seconds you're allotted in the round. Or more loosely, "if there are a lot of combatants and distractions that time period becomes less noticable." \$\endgroup\$
    – Σ of eDπ
    Commented Jun 15, 2019 at 18:19

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