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Staff of Thunder and Lightning

Staff Of Thunder And Lightning
  • Category: Staff
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

This staff can be wielded as a magic Quarterstaff that grants a +2 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with it. It also has the following additional properties. Once one of these properties is used, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

Lightning. When you hit with a melee attack using the staff, you can cause the target to take an extra 2d6 Lightning damage (no action required).

Thunder. When you hit with a melee attack using the staff, you can cause the staff to emit a crack of thunder audible out to 300 feet (no action required). The target you hit must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or have the Stunned condition until the end of your next turn.

Thunder and Lightning. Immediately after you hit with a melee attack using the staff, you can take a Bonus Action to use the Lightning and Thunder properties (see above) at the same time. Doing so doesn't expend the daily use of those properties, only the use of this one.

Lightning Strike. You can take a Magic action to cause a bolt of lightning to leap from the staff's tip in a Line that is 5 feet wide and 120 feet long. Each creature in that Line makes a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw, taking 9d6 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

Thunderclap. You can take a Magic action to cause the staff to produce a thunderclap audible out to 600 feet. Every creature within a 60 -foot Emanation originating from you makes a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d6 Thunder damage and has the Deafened condition for 1 minute. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage only.

Tactical Applications​

Elemental Storm Control: Provides thunder and lightning magic with area damage and battlefield control. Exceptional for elemental specialists, storm magic users, and characters requiring weather-based combat and atmospheric manipulation.

Class Synergies:

  • Sorcerers: Perfect for storm bloodline casters wanting enhanced elemental magic and weather control
  • Wizards: Essential for elemental specialists needing thunder and lightning enhancement and atmospheric mastery
  • Druids: Excellent for weather casters requiring storm magic and natural atmospheric control
  • Elemental Builds: Outstanding for characters prioritizing thunder and lightning themes and storm mastery

Build Considerations: Requires attunement but provides extensive storm magic with multiple damage options. Most valuable for characters specializing in elemental magic and weather manipulation.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires storm magic, elemental enchantments, and atmospheric essences. Creation cost 15,000-30,000 gp and takes 25 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Storm magic specialists and elemental enchanters
  • Treasure hoards of legendary weather masters and storm controllers
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in elemental magic
  • Found in the collections of atmospheric researchers and storm specialists
  • Sometimes discovered in storm-touched locations or obtained from elemental encounters

Alternative Acquisition: Often found in locations with strong connections to storm magic and atmospheric phenomena.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 25,000-50,000 gp, with higher demand among elemental specialists and storm magic users.

Trade Considerations: Popular among weather mages and anyone requiring thunder and lightning capabilities and storm control.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with storm magic, elemental mastery, or professional roles requiring weather control and atmospheric expertise.

Character Concepts:

  • Storm master with elemental expertise and weather control experience
  • Atmospheric specialist using storm magic for battlefield control and elemental enhancement
  • Character with extensive experience in storm environments requiring thunder and lightning capabilities
  • Weather specialist combining storm magic with traditional elemental techniques

Adventure Hooks​

The Storm Crisis: Weather scenarios where storm magic provides crucial atmospheric advantages and elemental solutions.

The Lightning Quest: Elemental adventures where thunder and lightning control determines magical effectiveness and storm mastery.

The Atmospheric Challenge: Environmental situations where weather magic enables climate manipulation and atmospheric superiority.

The Elemental War: Storm conflicts where atmospheric control advances tactical positioning and weather dominance.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Staff of Thunder and Lightning (Legendary): Enhanced storm power and additional weather abilities with improved atmospheric capabilities.

Staff of Ultimate Storms (Artifact): Includes comprehensive storm magic and ultimate weather control.

Tempest Master's Staff (Very Rare): Optimized for storm magic with enhanced thunder and lightning bonuses and weather features.

Specialized Variants:

  • Hurricane Staff: Enhanced for wind control with improved atmospheric manipulation and storm intensity
  • Lightning Rod Staff: Optimized for electrical magic with enhanced lightning damage and electrical control
  • Thunder Lord's Staff: Specialized for sonic magic with enhanced thunder damage and atmospheric pressure control

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by storm lords who needed ultimate weather control for their atmospheric mastery and elemental research.

Historical Significance: These staffs enabled crucial weather victories and the mastery of storm techniques throughout elemental history.

Cultural Impact: Represent the power over natural forces and the effectiveness of atmospheric magic mastery.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates understanding of storm magic and the complex processes required for weather enhancement.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 8-16 when elemental themes become important and storm magic provides significant advantages.

Campaign Impact: Provides powerful elemental capabilities balanced by attunement requirement and atmospheric focus.

Storm Focus: Most valuable in campaigns featuring weather themes and elemental magic encounters.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Storm scenarios where elemental magic enables superior atmospheric control and weather mastery
  • Elemental encounters where thunder and lightning provide tactical advantages and storm manipulation
  • Weather challenges where atmospheric enhancement determines climate control and storm effectiveness
  • Environmental situations where storm magic advances objective completion and elemental superiority

Weather Adjustments: Encounters may need to account for thunder and lightning damage and enhanced atmospheric control.

Elemental Items: Other items that enhance storm magic and provide weather capabilities.

Atmospheric Equipment:

  • Items that improve elemental effectiveness and storm capabilities
  • Equipment for weather enhancement and atmospheric mastery
  • Tools for storm magic and elemental development

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance elemental abilities or provide additional storm benefits.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Storm Mastery: Characters develop expertise in weather techniques and elemental magic.

Atmospheric Leadership: Storm capabilities create opportunities for leading weather missions and elemental operations.

Weather Excellence: Storm magic enables impressive demonstrations of atmospheric mastery and elemental superiority.