Call Lightning
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
A storm cloud appears at a point within range that you can see above yourself. It takes the shape of a Cylinder that is 10 feet tall with a 60-foot radius.
When you cast the spell, choose a point you can see under the cloud. A lightning bolt shoots from the cloud to that point. Each creature within 5 feet of that point makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 3d10 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Until the spell ends, you can take a Magic action to call down lightning in that way again, targeting the same point or a different one.
If you're outdoors in a storm when you cast this spell, the spell gives you control over that storm instead of creating a new one. Under such conditions, the spell's damage increases by 1d10.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d10 for each spell slot level above 3.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 10 minutes
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
A storm cloud appears in the shape of a cylinder that is 10 feet tall with a 60-foot radius, centered on a point you can see within range directly above you. The spell fails if you can't see a point in the air where the storm cloud could appear (for example, if you are in a room that can't accommodate the cloud).
When you cast the spell, choose a point you can see under the cloud. A bolt of lightning flashes down from the cloud to that point. Each creature within 5 feet of that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On each of your turns until the spell ends, you can use your action to call down lightning in this way again, targeting the same point or a different one.
If you are outdoors in stormy conditions when you cast this spell, the spell gives you control over the existing storm instead of creating a new one. Under such conditions, the spell's damage increases by 1d10.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th or higher level, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 3rd.
Call Lightning 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Call Lightning popularity
How popular is Call Lightning? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is a widely sought-after option.
- #1 picked level 3 Druid spell
- Top 50% of all level 3 spells
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Call Lightning
Moonbeam 2nd-level evocation
Both are druid concentration spells that place a damaging area at range and allow repeated attacks on subsequent turns.
Players prefer Moonbeam over Call Lightning
Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration
Its ten-minute concentration duration and recurring damage against multiple creatures make it a comparable sustained area-damage option.
Players prefer Spirit Guardians over Call Lightning
Cloudkill 5th-level conjuration
A long-lasting concentration cloud deals recurring area damage and shapes where enemies can safely stand.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Cloudkill
Insect Plague 5th-level conjuration
This druid spell sustains a large damaging zone for ten minutes, rewarding continued concentration against groups of enemies.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Insect Plague
Dawn 5th-level evocation
The spell maintains a movable damaging area and uses later actions to trigger repeated attacks against clustered creatures.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Dawn
Storm Sphere 4th-level evocation
It creates a persistent storm-themed area that deals lightning damage and lets the caster spend later actions attacking within it.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Storm Sphere