Lightning Bolt
- Level: 3
- School: Evocation
- Class: Sorcerer, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: Self
- Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur and a crystal rod)
- Duration: Instantaneous
A stroke of lightning forming a 100-foot-long, 5-foot-wide Line blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the Line makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.
Tactical Usage
Line Area Damage: Lightning Bolt excels at hitting multiple enemies arranged in lines or narrow formations. The 100-foot length and 5-foot width create excellent opportunities for hitting multiple targets with precise positioning.
Fireball Alternative: As the classic alternative to Fireball, Lightning Bolt provides similar damage potential with different area geometry. Choose based on enemy positioning and whether line or sphere area better serves tactical needs.
Long-Range Precision: The line emanates from your position, allowing precise targeting and maximum range effectiveness. Unlike area spells with limited range, Lightning Bolt reaches its full 100-foot potential from your location.
Spell Combinations
Web Setup: Use Web to restrain enemies in line formations, then follow with Lightning Bolt for guaranteed area coverage. Restrained enemies cannot easily escape the line area.
Wall of Force Herding: Position Wall of Force to funnel enemies into line formations that Lightning Bolt can exploit effectively. The immovable barrier forces tactical positioning.
Metamagic Enhancement: Sorcerers can use Careful Spell to protect allies in the line or Heightened Spell to ensure important targets fail their saves against the lightning damage.
Material Component Details
Fur and Crystal Rod: The contrasting components represent static electricity generation - fur for building electrical charge and crystal for focusing electrical energy into directed discharge.
Component Accessibility: Both fur and crystal are commonly available from animal sources and mineral dealers, making Lightning Bolt components easier to obtain than many 3rd-level spells.
Electrical Symbolism: The components directly relate to electrical phenomena, creating clear thematic connection between material elements and magical effect that reinforces evocation magic principles.
Creator Notes
Friendly Fire Potential: The line area can easily include allies if positioning isn't carefully planned. Consider party formation and movement patterns when targeting Lightning Bolt.
Environmental Interaction: Metal objects and water might enhance or conduct the electrical effect, though this isn't mechanically specified. Consider narrative descriptions that acknowledge environmental electrical interactions.
Cover Limitations: The line area doesn't bend around corners or obstacles, requiring clear line of effect to all intended targets within the area.
Environmental Interactions
Metal Conductivity: While not mechanically different, Lightning Bolt gains thematic resonance around metal objects, water features, or storms. Consider environmental descriptions that enhance electrical themes.
Underground Limitations: Confined spaces like tunnels or narrow corridors might limit Lightning Bolt's effectiveness if the full 100-foot line cannot be utilized due to structural constraints.
Weather Synergy: Casting Lightning Bolt during storms or in areas with electrical activity creates thematic resonance and atmospheric enhancement without mechanical changes.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Line Origin: The line emanates from your position, meaning you control the precise direction and can target the full 100-foot length based on your positioning and facing.
Dexterity Save: All creatures in the line make Dexterity saves simultaneously, with individual results determining damage for each affected creature.
Scaling Efficiency: The 1d6 damage increase per slot level provides solid scaling that maintains effectiveness at higher levels compared to other 3rd-level damage spells.
Alternative Applications
Crowd Control: Use Lightning Bolt to disperse hostile crowds arranged in line formations, though collateral damage and legal consequences should be considered in civilized areas.
Demolition Work: The electrical energy can potentially damage or destroy electronic devices, magical constructs, or other objects vulnerable to electrical discharge.
Intimidation Display: The dramatic visual and sound effects create excellent intimidation opportunities during social encounters where demonstrating magical power serves negotiation purposes.
Related Spells
Fireball: The classic comparison spell with sphere area versus line area. Choose based on enemy positioning and whether concentrated damage or area coverage better serves tactical needs.
Call Lightning: Provides repeated lightning attacks with different mechanics and outdoor requirements. Compare based on whether single powerful strike or sustained electrical assault better fits encounter needs.
Chain Lightning: Higher-level evolution that chains between targets rather than following straight lines. Consider as an upgrade option when Lightning Bolt's area limitations become restrictive.
Scaling Analysis
Early Levels (5-8): Lightning Bolt provides excellent damage output when 3rd-level spell slots are significant resources and the line area can frequently affect multiple enemies.
Mid Levels (9-14): Upcast versions maintain competitive damage while the spell's precise targeting becomes more valuable as encounter complexity increases.
High Levels (15+): While individual damage becomes less significant, the spell remains useful for specific tactical situations where line area provides unique positioning advantages.
Narrative Flavor
Electrical Buildup: Static electricity crackles around your hands as the fur and crystal components channel magical energy. The air itself seems to hum with electrical potential before the discharge.
Lightning Strike: A brilliant bolt of pure electrical energy streaks from your position in a perfectly straight line. The lightning illuminates everything in its path with blinding intensity while thunder follows immediately.
Aftermath Resonance: The air smells of ozone and burned metal while residual electrical energy causes hair to stand on end. Surfaces struck by the lightning may show scorch marks or metallic objects might ring with residual vibration.