V, S, M (A bit of fur and a rod of amber, crystal, or glass)
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
3
Saving throw
Dexterity
Damage type
Lightning
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.
At higher levels
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 damage by spell slot level
Spell slot level
Damage
Average
3rd
8d6 lightning
28
4th
9d6 lightning
31.5
5th
10d6 lightning
35
6th
11d6 lightning
38.5
7th
12d6 lightning
42
8th
13d6 lightning
45.5
9th
14d6 lightning
49
Averages are the dice’s expected total. A target that succeeds on its Dexterity save takes half. Roll any row in the dice roller.
How Lightning Bolt plays
A bolt of lightning 100 feet long and 5 feet wide shoots out from you in any direction you choose. Every creature in the line makes a Dexterity save, taking 8d6 lightning damage (28 on average) on a failure or half on a success. Flammable objects in the line that no one is holding catch fire.
It does the same damage as Fireball, and the line is its whole character. In an open field it’s hard to catch more than two or three enemies. In a corridor, a tunnel, a bridge or a column of marching soldiers, it can hit every one of them, and you can angle it to miss your allies.
When to pick Lightning Bolt
Dungeon campaigns with lots of corridors and narrow approaches suit it better than Fireball.
As a second area spell. Fire is the most-resisted element; many devils, demons and red dragons don’t care about Fireball. Lightning covers some of that gap.
Mind where you stand. The line starts at you, so you need a clear lane to your targets. A wall or large obstacle stops it.
Common questions
Does Lightning Bolt bounce off walls?
No. It did in earlier editions, but in 5e it’s a straight 100-foot line that stops at anything that gives total cover.
Does Lightning Bolt hit allies in the line?
Yes. Everyone in the line makes the save, so angle it around your party.
Can I aim Lightning Bolt up or down?
Yes. You choose the direction, so you can fire it up a stairwell or down a well.
Lightning Bolt or Fireball: which is better?
Usually Fireball, because a 40-foot-wide sphere is easier to fill with enemies and doesn’t need to start at you. Lightning Bolt wins in narrow spaces and against fire-resistant foes.
How much damage does it do when upcast?
One more d6 per slot level above 3rd: 9d6 at 4th level, 10d6 at 5th.
Does Lightning Bolt get advantage against metal armor?
No. That’s Shocking Grasp. Lightning Bolt is a Dexterity save that works the same on everyone.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
Range: Self (100-foot line) → Self.
Casting time
Action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (a bit of fur and a crystal rod)
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
3
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.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 3.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
