Lighting Arrow is a Ranger’s level 3 transmutation spell. It is cast as a bonus action and requires somatic and verbal components. The spell lasts for up to one minute with concentration.
Lightning Arrow turns the Ranger’s projectile into a bolt of lightning. On a hit, the target takes 4d8 lightning damage and half damage on a miss. Creatures within 10ft must make a DEX save if the attack misses or hits. These creatures take 2d8 lightning damage on a failed save, and half damage on a successful save.
Lightning Arrow 5e Spell Description
Source: Player’s Handbook
The next time you make a ranged weapon attack during the spell’s duration, the weapon’s ammunition, or the weapon itself if it’s a thrown weapon, transforms into a bolt of lightning. Make the attack roll as normal. The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage.
Whether you hit or miss, each creature within 10 feet of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw. Each of these creatures takes 2d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The piece of ammunition or weapon then returns to its normal form.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage for both effects of the spell increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.
Lvl | Dice | Min | Avg | Max |
---|---|---|---|---|
1st | ||||
2nd | ||||
3rd | 4d8 + 2d8 | 6 | 27 | 48 |
4th | 5d8 + 3d8 | 8 | 36 | 64 |
5th | 6d8 + 4d8 | 10 | 45 | 80 |
6th | 7d8 + 5d8 | 12 | 54 | 96 |
7th | 8d8 + 6d8 | 14 | 63 | 112 |
8th | 9d8 + 7d8 | 16 | 72 | 128 |
9th | 10d8 + 8d8 | 18 | 81 | 144 |
Lightning Arrow 5e Stats
Level | 3rd-level |
---|---|
School | Transmutation |
Casting Time | 1 bonus action |
Range | Self |
Components | Verbal, Somatic |
Duration | Concentration, up to 1 minute |
Spell Lists | Ranger |
Is Lightning Arrow a good spell?
Lightning Arrow is a good spell. It has the potential to be great in the right situation.
Jillian started learning Dungeons & Dragons in 2014. After being encouraged by a friend to make a character, she became fully involved in character creation and later became an awesome Dungeon Master. Jillian strives to use her creativity to spread her knowledge of DnD and interpret the ruleset.