Witch Bolt is a spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that belongs to the Evocation school of magic. It is a potent offensive spell that allows the caster to create a beam of crackling blue energy and unleash it upon a target. The spell requires concentration to maintain, and it can deal ongoing damage to the target if the caster succeeds in maintaining concentration. As a 1st-level spell, Witch Bolt deals 1d12 lightning damage when cast, making it quite powerful for its level. The spell also has a range of 30 feet, meaning that the caster must be within that range of their target to make use of it. Once the spell is cast, the caster must make a ranged spell attack against the target, and if successful, the target takes damage.
Once the spell is cast, the caster must make a ranged spell attack against the target, and if successful, the target takes damage. Where Witch Bolt truly shines is in its ability to deal ongoing damage. As long as the caster maintains concentration, they can automatically deal an additional 1d12 lightning damage to the target at the start of their turn.
DARK WITCH
Magical, romantic, compelling and appealing—Roberts at her best.
Seven hundred fifty years after an evil sorcerer attacks the Dark Witch Sorcha and leaves her children orphans, he comes back, and her descendants must depend on magic, friendship and love to repel him.
Iona Sheehan has sold most of what she owns and left everything she knows behind in America, convinced that Ireland is where she belongs. Her beloved Nan has directed her to County Mayo and the cousins she has there after filling her ears and imagination with tales of magic and family legends of an ancient, evil enemy. Once she meets her cousins Branna and Connor, they all realize that she is the final piece of an ancient power triangle designed to confront the magical enemy Cabhan, who killed their ancestor Sorcha, the Dark Witch, but only after she vanquished him for a time and imparted her power to her three children. Now, centuries later, when the three cousins are united, it is clear that they are each powerful in the ways Sorcha’s children were, and they have identical animal guardians. Something about Iona’s appearance seems to beckon Cabhan, and Branna, Connor and their three best friends will work to teach Iona everything she needs to know about magic in order to fight Cabhan when he confronts them—an event they can all feel is coming. At the same time, one of those friends, Boyle McGrath, may just be the man Iona’s been waiting for all of her life. If only she can convince him he loves her and they can both stay alive to savor a long and happy future. Roberts brings her A-game to this textured, expertly plotted magical romantic adventure. The author manages to create a flawed heroine who must learn she deserves the best from love, not a man who doesn’t know what to do with her magic, which is as much a part of her as her ability to work with horses or her newfound love of Ireland. Fans will be thrilled with the author’s return to Ireland and with the magical themes.
Magical, romantic, compelling and appealing—Roberts at her best.
Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-425-25985-6
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2013
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This ongoing damage makes Witch Bolt an efficient spell for whittling down the health of a single, strong enemy over time. However, maintaining concentration can be challenging, especially if the caster takes damage or fails a Concentration save. If concentration is lost, the spell ends, and the caster loses the ability to deal ongoing damage. Additionally, the target can make a saving throw at the end of each of their turns to reduce the ongoing damage or break free completely. Witch Bolt has its limitations, but it can be a powerful tool in the hands of a skilled caster. Its potential for ongoing damage makes it a valuable spell for fights against strong and resilient enemies. Careful concentration management and strategic positioning are essential to making the most of Witch Bolt's potential..
Reviews for "Maximize Your Damage Output with Witch Bolt in D&D 5e"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Witch Bolt 5e in CNFBeyond. The spell sounded really cool in theory, but in practice, it just fell flat. The damage output was underwhelming, and the fact that you had to use your action each turn to maintain the spell made it feel like a waste of time. I was hoping for a more impactful and versatile spell, but this one just didn't deliver.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - Witch Bolt in CNFBeyond was a major letdown for me. I had high hopes for a powerful lightning spell, but it ended up being lackluster and unreliable. The fact that you have to make a ranged spell attack every turn to maintain the damage made it feel like a huge risk with little reward. I found myself regretting choosing this spell over others that could have been much more useful in combat.
3. David - 3/5 - While Witch Bolt in CNFBeyond had some potential, it ultimately left me wanting more. The initial damage was decent, but the fact that it doesn't scale with higher levels was a letdown. Additionally, the spell felt very situational and didn't offer much versatility. I ended up rarely using it in favor of other spells that had more consistent and impactful effects.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I was not a fan of Witch Bolt in CNFBeyond. The damage output was lackluster, and having to constantly make attack rolls each turn to maintain the spell felt tedious and ineffective. It also didn't offer much in terms of utility or versatility, making it a less appealing choice compared to other spells in the game. Overall, I was disappointed with how this spell turned out and would not recommend it to other players.