How Does the Lightning Bolt Spell Work in D&D 5th Edition? Player Guide & Tips

PDF download Download Article
Your guide to the pros, cons, and uses of the Lightning Bolt spell
PDF download Download Article

Do you want your D&D character to dominate the battlefield while shooting lightning from their fingertips? The Lightning Bolt spell can help you do just that, creating a 100-foot-long and 5-foot-wide bolt that deals lightning damage to every creature in its path. With its impressive range and damage output, Lightning Bolt can be an asset for any spellcaster. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know, including how Lightning Bolt works and how to use it!

Lightning Bolt Spell Overview

Lightning Bolt is a 3rd-level spell for wizards and sorcerers. It creates a stroke of lightning that’s 100 feet long and 5 feet wide in a direction of your choice, forcing creatures in its path to make a DEX save. They take 8d6 lightning damage on a failed save or half that on a successful one.

Section 1 of 5:

What is the Lightning Bolt spell in D&D 5e?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Next to Fireball, it’s one of the best 3rd-level spells for dealing damage to enemies in a single action. It allows spellcasters to harness the power of lightning and go on the offensive without getting close to enemies, creating a bolt that inflicts lightning damage on every creature it touches. [1]
    • Casting time : 1 action
    • Range : Self (100-foot line)
    • Target : Self (100-foot line)
    • Components : V S M (A bit of fur and a rod of amber, crystal, or glass)
    • Duration : Instantaneous
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

How does Lightning Bolt work?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The bolt forms a line 100 feet long and 5 feet wide, shooting out from your PC (player character) in any direction—your choice. Every creature standing in the bolt’s path must make a Dexterity (DEX) saving throw, taking 8d6 lightning damage if they fail the save or half as much if they succeed. [2]
    • Lightning bolt can deal a maximum of 48 points of lightning damage per creature (if every d6 roll is a 6), with an average damage output of 24 points of lightning damage.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you cast Lightning Bolt, any flammable objects that aren’t being worn or carried will catch fire after being struck by the bolt. So, for example, a wooden bow wielded by an enemy wouldn’t catch fire, but a stack of books or papers on a table would. [3]
    • It’s up to the DM to decide what’s flammable and what isn’t. Generally, if laying a torch or open flame on an object would cause it to catch fire, it can be considered flammable.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/19\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you cast Lightning Bolt using a 4th-level spell slot or higher, the spell’s damage will increase by 1d6 for each spell slot above the 3rd level. For example, a 4th-level Lightning Bolt will deal 9d6 damage and 5th level will deal 10d6, up to a maximum of 14d6 lightning damage when cast at the 9th level. [4]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f0\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    As mentioned above, Lightning Bolt consumes a bit of fur and a rod made of amber, crystal, or glass each time it’s cast—so make sure your PC has those components available. However, since keeping track of every component is tough, your PC can simply carry a component pouch or spellcasting focus. [5]
    • Component pouches and spellcasting foci cover all components that don’t have a monetary cost attached. If a spell requires ingredients that cost money, you must have the specific component on hand.
    • For example, you could use a component pouch to cast Lightning Bolt, but you’d need the actual components for a spell like Revivify (which requires diamonds worth 300 gold pieces).
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

When to Use Lightning Bolt

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    While Lightning Bolt’s area-of-effect is pretty narrow (since it’s a 5-foot-wide bolt), it can be super useful when a group of enemies line up just right. Look for opportunities to use this spell—especially when you want to avoid friendly fire, since allies won’t be affected unless they’re standing in the spell’s path. [6]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/62\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    All three conditions cause affected creatures to automatically fail Dexterity saving throws. So, when you cast Lightning Bolt on creatures affected by those conditions, they’ll take full damage from the spell no matter what. [7]
    • Spells like Hold Person, Flesh to Stone, Contagion, and Power Word Stun can apply the above conditions to foes.
    • Martial classes can also stun foes using abilities like Stunning Strike (monks) or Rend Mind (Soulknife rogues).
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Design a fight in a hallway, or place an enemy inside a chamber with a narrow entrance so the PCs have to funnel in one by one. Planning a strategic ambush lets you catch as many PCs as possible in your boss enemy’s powerful spell! Plus, a well-placed Lightning Bolt can teach players to spread out more during battles. [8]
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Pros & Cons of Lightning Bolt

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c6\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Lightning Bolt’s main pros are its damage output and range. 8d6 points of lightning damage is very good for a 3rd-level spell, and not many monsters in 5e have resistance or immunity to lightning damage, which means it’s an effective spell more often than not. Additionally, having a 100-foot-long area of effect is excellent compared with most spells of a similar level. [9]
    • Lightning Bolt’s main competitor is Fireball, another 3rd-level evocation spell that produces a fiery explosion in a 20-foot diameter sphere.
    • Compared to Fireball, Lightning Bolt has an equivalent damage output—and more creatures have fire damage resistance than lightning, so Lightning Bolt also has the better damage type.
    • Additionally, Fireball’s 20-foot range definitely isn’t as extensive as Lightning Bolt’s 100-foot range.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Although Lightning Bolt has a long area of effect, it’s also extremely narrow. It’s more common to catch foes in a cluster than lined up one by one, so you may not use Lightning Bolt as often as other area-of-effect spells. Lightning Bolt can also damage allies (since it affects all creatures), so you must always be careful to avoid friendly fire. [10]
    • Comparatively, it’s usually much easier to target groups of enemies with Fireball since they only have to be standing close to one another (and not in a straight line).
    3. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Which classes can cast Lightning Bolt?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Lightning-Bolt-5e-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It’s automatically included on 5e’s sorcerer and wizard spell lists, so if you’re playing either class, you can simply elect for your character to learn the spell when they’re a high enough level. However, certain subclasses can also cast Lighting Bolt, including: [11]
    • Circle of the Land (druid) . Circle of the Land druids can use Lightning Bolt at level 5 if they choose the Mountain land option.
    • Fathomless (warlock) . Fathomless warlocks get the spell at level 5.
    • Armorer (artificer) . Armorers learn the spell at level 9.
    • Eldritch Knight (fighter) . Eldritch Knights can learn the spell at level 13.
    • Arcane Trickster (rogue) . Arcane Tricksters can cast the spell starting at level 14.
    • Bards . All bards have access to the Magical Secrets class feature, which allows them to learn a limited number of spells from any class’s spell list (including Lightning Bolt).

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Beginner’s Guide to Spell Save DCs in D&D 5e (Plus How to Increase Them)
      Everything D&D Players Need To Know About Death Saving Throws
      How to
      Calculate & Increase Attack Bonuses in Dungeons & Dragons
      How to
      Roll Stats: Best Ways to Generate Ability Scores in D&D 5e
      How to
      Roll a Character Using Point Buy in Dungeons and Dragons
      What is the Standard Array in D&D 5e & How Do You Use It?
      Passive Perception in D&D 5E: What Is It & How Can You Calculate It?
      The Complete Skill Guide for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition
      How to
      Determine Saving Throws in D&D 5e: Game Rules & Calculation Tips
      What is Dual Wielding and How Does It Work in Dungeons & Dragons 5e?
      Every School of Magic in Dungeons & Dragons, Explained
      Concentration in DnD 5e Explained: What It Is & How to Use It
      Fairy Race in DnD 5e: Characteristics, Abilities, & Best Classes
      What Are Legendary Actions in D&D 5e? A Guide for Players & DMs
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://5thsrd.org/spellcasting/spells/lightning_bolt/
      2. ↑ https://5thsrd.org/spellcasting/spells/lightning_bolt/
      3. ↑ https://5thsrd.org/spellcasting/spells/lightning_bolt/
      4. ↑ https://5thsrd.org/spellcasting/spells/lightning_bolt/
      5. ↑ https://5thsrd.org/spellcasting/spells/lightning_bolt/
      6. ↑ https://www.caverns-and-creatures.com/5e-spells/lightning-bolt
      7. ↑ https://www.caverns-and-creatures.com/5e-spells/lightning-bolt
      8. ↑ https://www.caverns-and-creatures.com/5e-spells/lightning-bolt
      9. ↑ https://dicecove.com/spells/evocation/lightning-bolt/
      1. ↑ https://dicecove.com/spells/evocation/lightning-bolt/
      2. ↑ https://dicecove.com/spells/evocation/lightning-bolt/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 664 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement