So can a flying creature take damage from lightning as they aren't grounded?
D&D lightning is not real world electricity. That said, real world lightning is perfectly capable of hitting and damaging flying objects and creatures. The reason not being grounded helps is because electricity takes the path of least resistance, and if you're on the ground but not grounded there's a good chance the path of least resistance involves going through something other than you. This isn't relevant when flying.
By the rules of D&D, yes. If a creature or object is in range and otherwise a valid target of an attack or within an area of effect or would in any other way be subjected to taking lightning damage, whether or not it is touching the ground is irrelevant. It takes the damage as normal.
Real world physics do not apply to a lot of things in the fantasy world of D&D. The actual definition of "fantasy" is "not real." This sounds very much like a question by a player or an assertion by a DM who (in either case) wants to selectively apply "science" to a fantasy world for "realism" because it will allow their character/monster/BBEG/etc to ignore damage for reasons that are complete BS in context. Please trust me that nothing good will come of indulging such things so you should just not.
That being said, while I'm a bit fuzzy on the scientific specifics, real world airplanes get struck by lightning all the time and the electricity just passes over their hull/frame/conductive surfaces and continues to the ground without any actual damage to the aircraft or it's passengers.
That being said, while I'm a bit fuzzy on the scientific specifics, real world airplanes get struck by lightning all the time and the electricity just passes over their hull/frame/conductive surfaces and continues to the ground without any actual damage to the aircraft or it's passengers.
That would happen on the ground too. Planes just aren't terribly vulnerable to lightning.
That being said, while I'm a bit fuzzy on the scientific specifics, real world airplanes get struck by lightning all the time and the electricity just passes over their hull/frame/conductive surfaces and continues to the ground without any actual damage to the aircraft or it's passengers.
That would happen on the ground too. Planes just aren't terribly vulnerable to lightning.
If an object is surrounded by metal, or another highly conductive substance, the electricity will follow outside and not damage anything on the inside. This is why you are safer in a car during a lightning storm as long as you don't touch any metal parts.
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Planes use a shell that causes the electricity to be channelled back out without affecting the interior as there is insulation underneath the shell. Since creatures generally don't have such protections, then yes they'll get zapped and hurt even if flying.
Being "grounded" means it directs the electricity, preferably away from where it can cause more damage - channelling it away from the parts that are more susceptible. However, even if you're not grounded, the lightning can still hurt - it will seek an alternative route and as the electricity passes through things there is resistance which causes heat. That's why lightning is dangerous to us whether we're grounded or not -- it still horribly burns us. Being grounded is worse for us only due to anatomy and circumstance: we're more likely to get electrocuted through our hands or torso and being grounded means the electricity will be drawn through the chest and our hearts causing potential heart failure. When not grounded, the electricity has a chance to pass out from us in a way that doesn't affect our heart and brain - but it can still screw our nervous system and cause severe burns - the muscle seizures it can induce can even be enough to break bones. And if you got struck with the bolt of lightning directly (which is rarer, most "struck" by lightning is usually it striking close by and arcing into you), it will likely hit your head or torso - in which case being grounded or not doesn't matter in the slightest because no matter what that lightning is passing through your brain and heart.
When it comes to basic levels of electricity in our daily life - being grounded or not matters a lot because if you can direct the lightning without affecting brain or heart, the burns are survivable - lightning is a different matter because of how powerful it is, even if it doesn't go into your heart or brain there remains a very large chance the severe burns (basically internally incinerating you) alone can kill you. So wondering if "flying" matters is pointless - lightning can **** you up either way. And in D&D it's often magical lightning which cares even less about anything, let alone creatures, being grounded or flying or whatever.
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When it comes to basic levels of electricity in our daily life - being grounded or not matters a lot because if you can direct the lightning without affecting brain or heart, the burns are survivable.
For ordinary household current, there isn't enough voltage to arc to the ground, so if you aren't grounded it won't go through you at all.
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So can a flying creature take damage from lightning as they aren't grounded?
anyone can take damage from lighting if lighting struck me right now I would be dead that´s still true in air
because lighting is a problem if it touches any part of your nervous system or your heart
this can happen anywhere
D&D lightning is not real world electricity. That said, real world lightning is perfectly capable of hitting and damaging flying objects and creatures. The reason not being grounded helps is because electricity takes the path of least resistance, and if you're on the ground but not grounded there's a good chance the path of least resistance involves going through something other than you. This isn't relevant when flying.
By the rules of D&D, yes. If a creature or object is in range and otherwise a valid target of an attack or within an area of effect or would in any other way be subjected to taking lightning damage, whether or not it is touching the ground is irrelevant. It takes the damage as normal.
Real world physics do not apply to a lot of things in the fantasy world of D&D. The actual definition of "fantasy" is "not real." This sounds very much like a question by a player or an assertion by a DM who (in either case) wants to selectively apply "science" to a fantasy world for "realism" because it will allow their character/monster/BBEG/etc to ignore damage for reasons that are complete BS in context. Please trust me that nothing good will come of indulging such things so you should just not.
That being said, while I'm a bit fuzzy on the scientific specifics, real world airplanes get struck by lightning all the time and the electricity just passes over their hull/frame/conductive surfaces and continues to the ground without any actual damage to the aircraft or it's passengers.
That would happen on the ground too. Planes just aren't terribly vulnerable to lightning.
https://interestingengineering.com/how-does-a-faraday-cage-work
If an object is surrounded by metal, or another highly conductive substance, the electricity will follow outside and not damage anything on the inside. This is why you are safer in a car during a lightning storm as long as you don't touch any metal parts.
***This signature says something else when you aren't looking at it***
Planes use a shell that causes the electricity to be channelled back out without affecting the interior as there is insulation underneath the shell. Since creatures generally don't have such protections, then yes they'll get zapped and hurt even if flying.
Being "grounded" means it directs the electricity, preferably away from where it can cause more damage - channelling it away from the parts that are more susceptible. However, even if you're not grounded, the lightning can still hurt - it will seek an alternative route and as the electricity passes through things there is resistance which causes heat. That's why lightning is dangerous to us whether we're grounded or not -- it still horribly burns us. Being grounded is worse for us only due to anatomy and circumstance: we're more likely to get electrocuted through our hands or torso and being grounded means the electricity will be drawn through the chest and our hearts causing potential heart failure. When not grounded, the electricity has a chance to pass out from us in a way that doesn't affect our heart and brain - but it can still screw our nervous system and cause severe burns - the muscle seizures it can induce can even be enough to break bones. And if you got struck with the bolt of lightning directly (which is rarer, most "struck" by lightning is usually it striking close by and arcing into you), it will likely hit your head or torso - in which case being grounded or not doesn't matter in the slightest because no matter what that lightning is passing through your brain and heart.
When it comes to basic levels of electricity in our daily life - being grounded or not matters a lot because if you can direct the lightning without affecting brain or heart, the burns are survivable - lightning is a different matter because of how powerful it is, even if it doesn't go into your heart or brain there remains a very large chance the severe burns (basically internally incinerating you) alone can kill you. So wondering if "flying" matters is pointless - lightning can **** you up either way. And in D&D it's often magical lightning which cares even less about anything, let alone creatures, being grounded or flying or whatever.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
For ordinary household current, there isn't enough voltage to arc to the ground, so if you aren't grounded it won't go through you at all.