Witch Bolt is a spell in the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). It is a lightning-based spell that allows the caster to project a bolt of crackling energy towards a target. As an action, the caster chooses a target within range and makes a ranged spell attack against it. If the attack hits, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on subsequent turns, the caster can use their action to automatically deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target without needing to make another attack roll, as long as the spell is sustained. The caster can continue to use their action to deal damage in this way, as long as they maintain concentration on the spell and the target remains within range. However, if the caster chooses to attack a different target or loses concentration, the spell ends.
4) Upcasting increases initial damage AND ongoing damage.
This is because I think maintaining concentration is enough of a tax to maintain the spell, and I like the idea of the spell continuing around corners or behind obstacles. On a failure the target can still move normally, but until the start of their next turn they cannot attempt to willingly move beyond the range of the spell.
However, if the caster chooses to attack a different target or loses concentration, the spell ends. The damage dealt by Witch Bolt increases by 1d12 at higher levels, starting at 3rd level, where it becomes 2d12, and increasing to 3d12 at 5th level, 4d12 at 7th level, and so on. One of the advantages of Witch Bolt is its potential for sustained damage.
Witch Bolt
To put it simply, this is one of the worst spells in the player’s handbook. I know, seems kinda harsh, but let’s break this down.
To do this, let’s look at another spell. Fire Bolt vs. Witch Bolt, for example.
| Spell | Casting Time | Range | Components | Damage | Concentration Requirements | Casting Level |
| Witch Bolt | 1 action | 30ft | V S M | 1d12 | Required | 1 |
| Fire Bolt | 1 action | 120ft | V S | 1d10 | Not required | Cantrip |
As you can see, Fire Bolt requires one action, has a much better range, does not require concentration, and it’s a cantrip. That last bit is important. It is a cantrip, which means you can do it as many times per day as you wish.
Now that you have an extra first-level spell slot, you can get something useful, like Magic Missile, which will automatically hit and can do more damage than Witch Bolt. Or you could get Shield, which will help keep you alive.
With concentration, a caster can deal lightning damage to a single target turn after turn without needing to expend additional spell slots or make attack rolls. This can be particularly effective against enemies with high hit points, as it allows the caster to chip away at their health over time. However, there are some drawbacks to using Witch Bolt. Firstly, it requires concentration, which means the caster cannot concentrate on other spells while using Witch Bolt. Additionally, the spell only affects a single target, so it may not be the most effective option when facing multiple enemies. Furthermore, the spell's damage is relatively low compared to higher-level spells, and it may become less effective against enemies with resistance or immunity to lightning damage. In conclusion, Witch Bolt is a lightning-based spell in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition that allows the caster to project a bolt of energy towards a target, and subsequently sustain the damage over time. While it offers sustained damage potential, it has limitations such as concentration requirements and limited target coverage..
Reviews for "Witch Bolt and Beyond: A Deep Dive into 5e D&D's Lightning Spell"
- Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with Witch Bolt in D&D Beyond. The spell seems so promising - a beam of crackling energy that latches onto a target and deals continuous damage. However, in practice, it fell very short of my expectations. The damage it dealt was lackluster, and I found it to be quite unreliable as the target could easily break free from the spell's effect by moving out of range. Additionally, the spell's range is only 30 feet, which further limits its usefulness. Overall, I think there are much better damage-dealing options available for spellcasters in 5th edition D&D.
- Mark - 1 star
I have to say, Witch Bolt in D&D Beyond was a real letdown. The concept of a sustained lightning attack sounded amazing, but the execution was terrible. The damage it dealt was underwhelming, and it became useless against creatures with resistance or immunity to lightning damage. Furthermore, maintaining concentration on this spell is quite difficult, especially when you consider that it only deals damage on subsequent turns. I found myself interrupting my concentration on Witch Bolt much too frequently to cast other spells or take other actions, making it not worth the effort. I would strongly advise other players to look for better options when it comes to damage-dealing spells in D&D 5th edition.