Lightning Arrow

A
Damage

Lightning Arrow is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that turns a struck arrow into a lightning bolt, blasting the target and
nearby foes

Lightning Arrow is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 with crackling power.

2024 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Bonus action, which you can take immediately after hitting or missing a target with a ranged attack using a weapon
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Ranger

As your attack hits or misses the target, the weapon or ammunition you're using transforms into a lightning bolt. Instead of taking any damage or other effects from the attack, the target takes 4d8 Lightning damage on a hit or half as much damage on a miss. Each creature within 10 feet of the target then makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 2d8 Lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.

The weapon or ammunition then returns to its normal form.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage for both effects of the spell increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 3.

2014 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Self
Components
V, S
Duration
Concentration, up to 1 minute
Classes
Ranger

The next time you make a ranged weapon attack during the spell’s duration, the weapon’s ammunition, or the weapon itself if it’s a thrown weapon, transforms into a bolt of lightning. Make the attack roll as normal. The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage.

Whether you hit or miss, each creature within 10 feet of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw. Each of these creatures takes 2d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

The piece of ammunition or weapon then returns to its normal form.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage for both effects of the spell increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.

Lightning Arrow 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Concentration was removed, and the duration changed from up to 1 minute to Instantaneous. It still only affects one ranged weapon attack, but you no longer have to maintain the spell after casting it.

Lightning Arrow popularity

Lightning Arrow is one of the rarest level 3 spells in the game. Choosing it will set you apart from all other casters.

Spells similar to Lightning Arrow

  • Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration

    It makes an attack that then causes a secondary area effect with a Dexterity save, mirroring Lightning Arrow's hit-plus-explosion structure.

  • Hail of Thorns 1st-level conjuration

    A ranger bonus/triggered option that augments a weapon attack to deal extra damage in an area around the target, much like Lightning Arrow's single-target plus nearby creatures damage.

  • Conjure Barrage 3rd-level conjuration

    A ranger spell that uses ammunition to produce an instant, multi-target burst of damage centered on the attack, similar in tactical role and timing to Lightning Arrow.

  • Laeral's Silver Lance 3rd-level evocation

    A third-level evocation that creates a one-off, multi-target attack effect from the caster, matching Lightning Arrow's level and instant damage focus.

  • Lightning Bolt 3rd-level evocation

    Shares the lightning damage theme and third-level instant area effect, offering a similar damage type and battlefield impact at the same spell level.