Witch Bolt is a spell in the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons, which is commonly referred to as D&D 5e. It can be found on the online platform D&D Beyond, which is a digital resource for players and dungeon masters to access the game rules, character sheets, and other materials. Witch Bolt is a first-level spell available to spellcasters such as wizards, sorcerers, and warlocks. It is an offensive spell that allows the caster to project a bolt of crackling, magical energy at a target within range. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw, and on a failed save, takes the full damage from the spell. The spell deals initial damage and then continues to deal damage on each of the caster's subsequent turns, as long as they maintain concentration and the target remains within range.
Witch Bolt’s biggest flaw is that it requires the caster to use its full action to get the full use out of it, and since the continuous damage does not scale, it’s very ineffective at high levels.
Now, for every turn up to 10 rounds , you can use an action to send more energy down the arc and zap the target with another 1d12 of lightning damage. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically.
The spell deals initial damage and then continues to deal damage on each of the caster's subsequent turns, as long as they maintain concentration and the target remains within range. The damage dealt by Witch Bolt increases with the spell's level. At higher levels, it becomes even more potent and can potentially deal significant damage over time.
Witch Bolt (5e)
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Witch Bolt is a spell for 5th edition published in Player's Handbook (5e).
Unofficial Description: Creates a bolt of lightning that damages a target. Caster may use its action each turn to continue damaging the target.
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| Action Type | Action + |
| Author | Player's Handbook (5e) + |
| Canon | true + |
| Caster | Eldritch Knight + , Sorcerer + , Warlock + and Wizard + |
| Component | V + , S + and M + |
| Level | 1 + |
| Pointer | true + |
| Publication | Player's Handbook (5e) + |
| Range | 30 feet + |
| School | Evocation + |
| Summary | Creates a bolt of lightning that damages a target. Caster may use its action each turn to continue damaging the target. |
Number of Targets: 1
This makes it a useful spell for spellcasters who prefer to deal consistent damage rather than relying on spells with single, high-damage outputs. The spell's description and detailed mechanics can be found on the D&D Beyond website, where players can read about the spell's range, duration, and other important details. Players can also access descriptions of other spells, abilities, and items that are available within the D&D 5e ruleset. D&D Beyond offers a convenient and accessible way for players to create and manage their characters in an online format. It provides a wealth of information and resources for players to reference during their games, making it an invaluable tool for both new and experienced players of Dungeons & Dragons..
Reviews for "The Pros and Cons of Using Witch Bolt in D&D 5e"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I found the "Witch Bolt" spell in DND Beyond to be highly underwhelming. The initial damage is decent, but it quickly becomes irrelevant as the subsequent damage is entirely dependent on the target failing its saving throw. This makes it extremely unreliable and frustrating to use in battles. Additionally, the spell requires concentration, which severely limits the caster's options during combat. Overall, I was disappointed with the spell and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - "Witch Bolt" in DND Beyond was a huge letdown for me. The damage output is lackluster, especially considering the spell's level. The fact that it requires concentration and allows the target a saving throw to half the damage makes it even more frustrating to use. I found that there are much better damage-dealing spells available for spellcasters, and "Witch Bolt" simply falls short in comparison. I would advise players to look for more reliable and powerful options instead.
3. Michael Johnson - 2 stars - I was initially excited to try out "Witch Bolt" in DND Beyond, but it quickly proved to be a disappointing choice. The limited range of 30 feet severely restricts its usefulness, especially in larger battles. The fact that it only targets a single creature also diminishes its effectiveness in encounters with multiple enemies. Furthermore, the damage progression is not impressive, and the need for concentration adds another layer of inconvenience. In my opinion, "Witch Bolt" is a spell that is easily overshadowed by other, more versatile options available to spellcasters in the game.
4. Emily Williams - 2 stars - I found "Witch Bolt" in DND Beyond to be a rather lackluster spell. While the idea of a sustained lightning attack seems intriguing, the execution falls flat. The initial damage is decent, but the subsequent damage relies heavily on the target failing its saving throw. This makes it unreliable and frustrating to use, especially when other spells provide more consistent damage without the need for concentration. Overall, I was underwhelmed by "Witch Bolt" and would recommend exploring alternative options for spellcasters in DND Beyond.