Witch Bolt

Witch bolt was a simple arcane evocation spell that continuously gave electric shocks to its target.

Witch bolt was a simple arcane evocation spell that continuously gave electric shocks to its target.
Effects The spell created a beam of blue energy from the caster towards a target creature. If the creature was caught in the beam, a sustained arc of lightning was established between the caster and the target, dealing damage for as long as the caster kept concentrating on maintaining the spell, and for as long as a clear line of sight could be maintained to the target, up to a distance of 30 ft (9.1 m).[1]
Components The spell required verbal, somatic, and material components. The material required was a twig from a tree that had been previously struck by lightning.[1]
History By the late 15th century DR, witch bolt could be found in numerous spellbooks, such as the one belonging to Grum'shar, a half-orc apprentice wizard who worked for the Xanathar's Thieves' Guild.[2]

Discovery

---

Classes: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Subclasses: Arcane Trickster Rogue, Eldritch Knight Fighter
Tags: Damage

Witch Bolt

@ 1st Level

Gestures & Ritual

Material Component: a twig from a tree that has been struck by lightning Verbal Component: Confringo Malefica Verbal Component (Alternative): This witches hex, a spell most frightening; an arcing blast, a bolt of lightening.

SRD

Witch Bolt

1-level Evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range/Area: 30 feet

Components: VSM

Materials: A twig from a tree that has been struck by lightning, or focus

Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. 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 ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell’s range or if it has total cover from you.

At higher levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the initial damage increases by 1d12 for each slot level above 1st

Available for: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard