Lightning Bolt
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (100-foot line)
- Components
- V, S, M (a bit of fur and a crystal rod)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self (100-foot line)
- Components
- V, S, M (a bit of fur and a rod of amber, crystal, or glass)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
A stroke of lightning forming a line 100 feet long and 5 feet wide blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 8d6 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The lightning ignites flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 3rd.
Lightning Bolt 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Lightning Bolt popularity
How popular is Lightning Bolt? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- Top 10% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Top 10% of all level 3 spells
- Top 25% picked level 3 Sorcerer spell
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Lightning Bolt
Fireball 3rd-level evocation
Both are iconic third-level sorcerer and wizard evocations that instantly blast multiple creatures for substantial damage.
Players prefer Fireball over Lightning Bolt
Call Lightning 3rd-level conjuration
The shared lightning damage and ability to hit groups make it a natural alternative, though it favors repeated attacks over one decisive blast.
Players prefer Call Lightning over Lightning Bolt
Chain Lightning 6th-level evocation
This higher-level evocation also deals instantaneous lightning damage to multiple targets and shares both primary class lists.
Players prefer Chain Lightning over Lightning Bolt
Aganazzar's Scorcher 2nd-level evocation
Its short line of instantaneous evocation damage offers a lower-level version of the same positioning-based area attack.
Players prefer Lightning Bolt over Aganazzar's Scorcher
Laeral's Silver Lance 3rd-level evocation
It is a third-level evocation that sends instantaneous damage through a long line at nearly the same range.
Players prefer Lightning Bolt over Laeral's Silver Lance
Gravity Fissure 6th-level evocation
The exact 100-foot line shape and instantaneous multi-target damage are unusually close, despite its higher level and force damage.
Players prefer Lightning Bolt over Gravity Fissure