My all-time favorite pastime, Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), is making a comeback, and I’m totally here for it.
The fifth iteration of the epic, imaginative game has introduced a conjuration spell causing division in the DnD community: the Call Lightning. Some adventurers say it’s a great spell, others think it’s overrated.
But regardless of where you are on this fence, my job is to teach how the spell works and how to maximize its utility in the game.
If you’re new to the fantasy table-top role-playing game (TTRPG), here’s everything you should know about the Call Lightning 5E.
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How to Use Call Lightning in DnD?
At its core, Call Lightning is a simple spell. It allows the adventurer (that’s you) to summon a massive storm cloud and cast lightning bolts within the spell’s range.
Here’s how the DnD 5E handbook describes it:
“A storm cloud appears in the shape of a cylinder that is 10 feet tall with a 60-foot radius, centered on a point you can see 100 feet directly above you.
The spell fails if you can’t see a point in the air where the storm cloud could appear (for example, if you are in a room that can’t accommodate the cloud).
When you cast the spell, choose a point you can see within range. A bolt of lightning flashes down from the cloud to that point.
Each creature within 5 feet of that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d10 lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.”
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Spell Range and Duration
The spell range is 120 feet, with a casting time of “1 action.” Additionally, casting Call Lightning outdoors during stormy weather lets you control the existing storm cloud instead of conjuring a new one, increasing the damage by 1d10.
Casting this spell slot higher than the 3rd level gains the same 1d10 damage boost. The damage increases by 1d10 per level.
A type of concentration spell, Call Lightning 5E lasts for 10 minutes, and you can cast bolts on each turn within the range until the spell ends.
Who Can Cast Call Lightning in DnD 5E?
Dungeons and Dragons currently has 13 classes of adventurers, all having different “jobs” or roles, and whether they’re combat, magic, or support oriented.
Clerics and druids are the only classes that can cast Call Lightning in DnD 5E.
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Extremely versatile, Clerics are the bridge between the divine and the mortal realm. They harness the power of God to support other adventurers, with spells focused on healing and protecting.
Druids, on the other hand, use nature as their power source. They can command the elements, summon familiars, and shapeshift into an animal form. Druids rely heavily on the environment and come in many forms and shapes.
Call Lightning Terrain Requirements
At first glance, Call Lightning can feel like an overpowered skill in your DnD arsenal. However, there’s one little catch you may want to remember before casting: you can’t cast Call Lightning anytime, anywhere.
First, you need a large enough area to accommodate the storm cloud. Per the spell description, you want a space with at least 100 feet of height.
It also must be spacious enough, at least 120 feet wide with a 60-foot radius, to fit the entire width of the storm cloud.
For the players, this means that Call Lightning is only eligible for casting in open terrains or inside massive buildings such as cathedrals, throne rooms, or tall caverns. Anything smaller, and your spell could be negated.
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Final Thoughts
Some players may complain that the ability to summon a storm cloud and throw lightning bolts per turn is too overpowered for the tabletop game. You simply sit at the back and watch the enemies get obliterated.
Still, that’s what makes a Dungeon Master incredibly challenging and fun. There’s no limit to imagining and devising ways to make the adventure challenging and enjoyable for everyone!
Featured image source: Google
