When a ranger casts lightning arrow do you also get the regular arrow damage on top of the spell? Or just the 4d8 of the spell?
Thanks.
Edit: I'm new to 5e obviously, but another question I had is when you crit with a weapon it says you just double the weapon's damage dice, but do you also double any damage property dice on it like a frost brand or a flame tongue? Again, thanks.
No you do not get the regular arrow damage because such a thing does not exist. This may be initially confusing because D&D's ammunition like arrows etc do not actually have any interaction in damage calculations (except in rare cases like enchanted arrows). The damage calculations come from the weapon itself. So as per the Lightning Arrow spell description: The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage.
Yes crits double the damage dice rolls from stuff like Flame Tongue's fire damage.
No you do not get the regular arrow damage because such a thing does not exist. This may be initially confusing because D&D's ammunition like arrows etc do not actually have any interaction in damage calculations (except in rare cases like enchanted arrows). The damage calculations come from the weapon itself. So as per the Lightning Arrow spell description: The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage.
Yes crits double the damage dice rolls from stuff like Flame Tongue's fire damage.
Thanks! I'm actually playing in a friend's D&D game, and I was kinda feeling like the damage I was pulling from my arrow shots with lightning arrow on them was a bit absurd lol.
So let's say my ranger found several +2 arrows, how would that work? Just a straight additional +2 to hit and to damage like in previous editions?
I would rule that you get the +2 to hit definitely. The +2 damage depends if your table was adding DEX mod damage to Lightning Arrow. Coz I can see different DMs ruling differently since the the lightning damage is suppose to replace normal weapon damage with normal weapon damage usually being the damage die of the weapon plus modifiers.
So let's say my ranger found several +2 arrows, how would that work? Just a straight additional +2 to hit and to damage like in previous editions?
To be clear, relating to the initial question, +2 arrows wouldn't interact with the Lightning Arrow spell's save or damage at all.
When attacking with weapons or ammunition that have a bonus (such as the +2 of the +2 arrows), yes, you add that to both the attack roll and damage roll. Additionally, if you load ammunition with a bonus into a weapon with a bonus, you get to stack the bonuses. For instance, if you load a +2 arrow into a +1 longbow, you get +3 to the attack and damage rolls.
So let's say my ranger found several +2 arrows, how would that work? Just a straight additional +2 to hit and to damage like in previous editions?
To be clear, relating to the initial question, +2 arrows wouldn't interact with the Lightning Arrow spell's save or damage at all.
When attacking with weapons or ammunition that have a bonus (such as the +2 of the +2 arrows), yes, you add that to both the attack roll and damage roll. Additionally, if you load ammunition with a bonus into a weapon with a bonus, you get to stack the bonuses. For instance, if you load a +2 arrow into a +1 longbow, you get +3 to the attack and damage rolls.
But Lightning Arrow is not just spell save damage. The initial target is hit with a attack roll as normal so I assumed they were asking about the interaction against the initial target.
So let's say my ranger found several +2 arrows, how would that work? Just a straight additional +2 to hit and to damage like in previous editions?
To be clear, relating to the initial question, +2 arrows wouldn't interact with the Lightning Arrow spell's save or damage at all.
When attacking with weapons or ammunition that have a bonus (such as the +2 of the +2 arrows), yes, you add that to both the attack roll and damage roll. Additionally, if you load ammunition with a bonus into a weapon with a bonus, you get to stack the bonuses. For instance, if you load a +2 arrow into a +1 longbow, you get +3 to the attack and damage rolls.
But Lightning Arrow is not just spell save damage. The initial target is hit with a attack roll as normal so I assumed they were asking about the interaction against the initial target.
Hmm. What a strange spell. I would then assume it helps on the initial to-hit. That really seems like it should be either a spell attack or a save, and I thought it was.
Uh, it's about the same spell slot to damage rate than a Divine Smite at the same level, and has AoE too. Can't double up on it like you can with a Smite, but I'd call it a solid opener, especially if you're hitting two or more enemies besides the target.
Hi.
When a ranger casts lightning arrow do you also get the regular arrow damage on top of the spell? Or just the 4d8 of the spell?
Thanks.
Edit: I'm new to 5e obviously, but another question I had is when you crit with a weapon it says you just double the weapon's damage dice, but do you also double any damage property dice on it like a frost brand or a flame tongue? Again, thanks.
Belegir, Wood Elf Ranger
No you do not get the regular arrow damage because such a thing does not exist. This may be initially confusing because D&D's ammunition like arrows etc do not actually have any interaction in damage calculations (except in rare cases like enchanted arrows). The damage calculations come from the weapon itself. So as per the Lightning Arrow spell description: The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage.
Yes crits double the damage dice rolls from stuff like Flame Tongue's fire damage.
Thanks! I'm actually playing in a friend's D&D game, and I was kinda feeling like the damage I was pulling from my arrow shots with lightning arrow on them was a bit absurd lol.
Belegir, Wood Elf Ranger
So let's say my ranger found several +2 arrows, how would that work? Just a straight additional +2 to hit and to damage like in previous editions?
Belegir, Wood Elf Ranger
I would rule that you get the +2 to hit definitely. The +2 damage depends if your table was adding DEX mod damage to Lightning Arrow. Coz I can see different DMs ruling differently since the the lightning damage is suppose to replace normal weapon damage with normal weapon damage usually being the damage die of the weapon plus modifiers.
To be clear, relating to the initial question, +2 arrows wouldn't interact with the Lightning Arrow spell's save or damage at all.
When attacking with weapons or ammunition that have a bonus (such as the +2 of the +2 arrows), yes, you add that to both the attack roll and damage roll. Additionally, if you load ammunition with a bonus into a weapon with a bonus, you get to stack the bonuses. For instance, if you load a +2 arrow into a +1 longbow, you get +3 to the attack and damage rolls.
But Lightning Arrow is not just spell save damage. The initial target is hit with a attack roll as normal so I assumed they were asking about the interaction against the initial target.
Don’t waste good +2 arrows with Lighting Arrow, as there is no benefit. Better to use those arrows for when LitArrow is not as effective.
Hmm. What a strange spell. I would then assume it helps on the initial to-hit. That really seems like it should be either a spell attack or a save, and I thought it was.
It's a poorly worded and honestly just generally bad spell, IMO.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Uh, it's about the same spell slot to damage rate than a Divine Smite at the same level, and has AoE too. Can't double up on it like you can with a Smite, but I'd call it a solid opener, especially if you're hitting two or more enemies besides the target.
Oh, found a SA that sheds some light on the effect:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/lightning-arrow-spell-you-can-add-dex-mod-or-sharp-shooter-damage-to-the-spell/