Fireball vs Lightning Bolt
Both are level-3 evocations dealing 8d6 damage, but the area shape changes everything.
Fireball
- Level
- 3
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 150 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Concentration
- No
- Ritual
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
A bright streak flashes from you to a point you choose within range and then blossoms with a low roar into a fiery explosion. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius Sphere centered on that point makes a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d6 Fire damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. Flammable objects in the area that aren't being worn or carried start burn
Full entry →Lightning Bolt
- Level
- 3
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Concentration
- No
- Ritual
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
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.
Full entry →Which one should you pick?
- Pick Fireball: Pick Fireball when targets are clustered or behind cover; the 20-ft radius reaches around corners.
- Pick Lightning Bolt: Pick Lightning Bolt when enemies are in a tight corridor or line; you also dodge friendly fire on the flanks.
- Tiebreaker: Damage type matters: lightning resistance is common on constructs and elementals, fire is common on devils and dragons.