Lightning Bolt
Level 3 · Evocation
- Damage
- Save
- AOE
Lightning Bolt is an evocation spell at level 3, sitting on the sorcerer and wizard lists. Cast time: Action. Range Self, components V/S/M, duration instantaneous. Material: a bit of fur and a crystal rod. Effect: A stroke of lightning forming a 100-foot-long, 5-foot-wide Line blasts out from you in a direction you choose. At higher levels: The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.
Stat Block
- Level
- 3
- School
- Evocation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Sorcerer, Wizard
- Material
- a bit of fur and a crystal rod
Description
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.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Lightning Bolt is Evocation in its rawest form — a 100-foot line of stored magical energy released as 8d6 Lightning damage. Same level as Fireball, same damage, different geometry: the line is harder to fit a full enemy team into than Fireball's sphere, but it bypasses the friendly-fire problem when allies are off to one side.
Class Fit
- Sorcerer: Sorcerers know Lightning Bolt as an alternative to Fireball when the encounter geometry calls for a line. Empowered Spell metamagic adds canonical reroll math; Heightened Spell forces disadvantage on the Dex save when a single high-priority target needs to fail.
- Wizard: Wizards add Lightning Bolt to the spellbook alongside Fireball at level 5. Evocation Wizards specifically benefit from Sculpt Spells, which makes the line's friendly-fire problem disappear entirely for any allies caught in the path.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Lightning Bolt
- What level spell is Lightning Bolt?
- Lightning Bolt sits at level 3 in the Evocation school of magic, prepared by Sorcerer, Wizard.
- How much damage does Lightning Bolt deal?
- The damage roll on Lightning Bolt is 8d6 of lightning damage at base. Upcast slots add to that figure.
- What save does Lightning Bolt require?
- Lightning Bolt forces a Dexterity save. The DC is the caster's spell save DC (8 + proficiency + casting modifier).
- What is the range of Lightning Bolt?
- The range on Lightning Bolt is Self; no other creature can be the target.
- What components and casting time does Lightning Bolt need?
- To cast: Lightning Bolt is cast with V, S, M. Additionally, Material component: a bit of fur and a crystal rod.
- Can Lightning Bolt be upcast?
- Lightning Bolt scales when upcast: The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.