Call Lightning
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level conjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 120 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 10 minutes
- Classes
- Druid
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
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
Call Lightning is a commonly chosen level 3 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.
- Top 50% level 3 Druid spell
Spells similar to Call Lightning
Spirit Guardians 3rd-level conjuration
It's the same spell level and duration, uses concentration to create an ongoing area that deals damage to multiple creatures each round.
Flaming Sphere 2nd-level conjuration
Both are conjuration spells that create a persistent object you can use each turn to deal area damage and reshape the battlefield with action economy choices.
Witch Bolt 1st-level evocation
Witch Bolt is a sustained lightning attack that requires concentration and repeated actions to keep dealing damage, mirroring Call Lightning's ongoing lightning-strike concept.
Lightning Bolt 3rd-level evocation
Although instantaneous, it shares the same damage type and multi-target offensive role at the same spell level, making it a common alternative for dealing lightning damage in combat.
Wall of Fire 4th-level evocation
This spell creates a persistent damaging battlefield feature under concentration that shapes enemy movement and deals multi-target damage over time, similar in tactical use to Call Lightning.