the spell filter has left me without luck, i am currently playing a tempest cleric thinking of multiclassing,
can someone please respond with the strongest lightning and thunder spell in general and also the strongest lightning and thunder spell available to clerics
The reason you're not finding any is because the Cleric doesn't really have any Lightning or Thunder damage spells. You're mostly going to have to rely on the domain spell list.
Witch Bolt is quite good as an end-of-the day spell against a final boss, and one of the few spells that I think provides really great value when upcast. You should be able to cast it at a level that exceeds your cantrip’s damage die, and if it lands, you’re basically getting the ability to do automatic damage every round with no further rolls and no saves allowed. It’ll even interact with your Tempest domain feature at 6. No, it isn’t on the Cleric list, but as a level 1 spell it’s easy enough to pick up with a feat or a multiclass.
Call Lightning is similar in some ways, and actually on your Tempest list, so that’s good. I think between those two spells, one or the other will usually be the right tool for a tough fight.
The problem with Witch Bolt is only the initial damage gets upscaled when upcast. The damage every other turn is always only 1d12. I mean it is still 1d12 per spell level initially - which is great - but per turn after that the damage really drops off.
The problem with Witch Bolt is only the initial damage gets upscaled when upcast. The damage every other turn is always only 1d12. I mean it is still 1d12 per spell level initially - which is great - but per turn after that the damage really drops off.
Agreed. It’s a great spell until 4th level. After that it’s very weak.
Only real spell they get is Glyph of Warding. Otherwise, use the spells you get from being a Tempest Cleric and the highest you get is Destructive Wave at 5th, but that only does 5d6 Thunder (+ 5d6 Radiant). So as others say, Call of Lightning is your goto spell.
See if you can convince your DM to let your write a new Cleric Spell that does something on par with other cleric spells, but reskinned as thunder/lightning. Perhaps a Lightnign barrier spell?
Storm 3/Tempest 2 lets you do maximum (24 or 32) damage to two targets with a twinned Chromatic Orb and Channel Divinity. At higher Storm levels, other tempting maximizeable (but not necessarily twinnable) spells open up like Lightning Bolt.
Storm 6/Tempest 6 lets you zap an enemy within 10 feet for 3 damage and a 10 foot push every time you cast a leveled spell (and fly!)
Storm 14/Tempest 6 lets you do 2d8+14 damage and blast enemies 30 feet away when they hit you in melee, which is fun.
It’s still probably worth being a pure storm Sorc or pure tempest cleric, but if optimization isn’t your goal, a blend can be fun. Storm Herald Barb is TRULY not an optimum splash, but there could be some fun to be had there too 🌩⚡️💪
shatter, which is a domain spell for tempest clerics can be solid. Base is 3d8, (at level 2) plus another die per spell level, plus maximizing damage with your subclass ability. Not great, but good. Personally I always thought tempest clerics should get lightning bolt as a domain spell, unfortunately no. Call lightning is good, but can be tough to pull off indoors, and it’s concentration, so no bless for the party.
My Tempest Cleric has a wand of lightning bolt which he pairs with channel divinity to toss 78/39 (using 6 charges in one cast) damage in a 100’ line. Only downside is the save dc is a flat 15 from the wand’s description, not his normal save dc.
Y'all know that answering a question after over two years probably isn't super helpful, right?
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Hmm... I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps someone with the same issue will find the thread and then even though there was no joy for the initial poster, someone in the future will be helped by it. Someone like me who is making a tempest cleric and was wondering what would be a decent lightning spell that was also available to me.
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Good evening,
the spell filter has left me without luck, i am currently playing a tempest cleric thinking of multiclassing,
can someone please respond with the strongest lightning and thunder spell in general and also the strongest lightning and thunder spell available to clerics
please and thank you
kind regards
Call Lightning is very good, and I think it is on the Tempest exclusive spell list.
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The reason you're not finding any is because the Cleric doesn't really have any Lightning or Thunder damage spells. You're mostly going to have to rely on the domain spell list.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
Witch Bolt is quite good as an end-of-the day spell against a final boss, and one of the few spells that I think provides really great value when upcast. You should be able to cast it at a level that exceeds your cantrip’s damage die, and if it lands, you’re basically getting the ability to do automatic damage every round with no further rolls and no saves allowed. It’ll even interact with your Tempest domain feature at 6. No, it isn’t on the Cleric list, but as a level 1 spell it’s easy enough to pick up with a feat or a multiclass.
Call Lightning is similar in some ways, and actually on your Tempest list, so that’s good. I think between those two spells, one or the other will usually be the right tool for a tough fight.
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The problem with Witch Bolt is only the initial damage gets upscaled when upcast. The damage every other turn is always only 1d12. I mean it is still 1d12 per spell level initially - which is great - but per turn after that the damage really drops off.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
.... I didn’t notice that. Yup, garbage to upcast then!
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Agreed. It’s a great spell until 4th level. After that it’s very weak.
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Cleric gets crap for thunder and lightning.
Only real spell they get is Glyph of Warding. Otherwise, use the spells you get from being a Tempest Cleric and the highest you get is Destructive Wave at 5th, but that only does 5d6 Thunder (+ 5d6 Radiant). So as others say, Call of Lightning is your goto spell.
See if you can convince your DM to let your write a new Cleric Spell that does something on par with other cleric spells, but reskinned as thunder/lightning. Perhaps a Lightnign barrier spell?
I would think that if you are looking to do big lightning and thunder damage, you would be better served by playing a storm sorcerer.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Storm Sorcerers get crappy low level abilities, but great high level abilities. Tempest Clerics get good abilities at all levels.
The two actually socket ok as a multiclass combo
Storm 3/Tempest 2 lets you do maximum (24 or 32) damage to two targets with a twinned Chromatic Orb and Channel Divinity. At higher Storm levels, other tempting maximizeable (but not necessarily twinnable) spells open up like Lightning Bolt.
Storm 6/Tempest 6 lets you zap an enemy within 10 feet for 3 damage and a 10 foot push every time you cast a leveled spell (and fly!)
Storm 14/Tempest 6 lets you do 2d8+14 damage and blast enemies 30 feet away when they hit you in melee, which is fun.
It’s still probably worth being a pure storm Sorc or pure tempest cleric, but if optimization isn’t your goal, a blend can be fun. Storm Herald Barb is TRULY not an optimum splash, but there could be some fun to be had there too 🌩⚡️💪
dndbeyond.com forum tags
I'm going to make this way harder than it needs to be.
What if Witch Bolt crits? Is the followup damage doubled?
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No because the follow up damage is automatic and doesn't require you to make an attack roll.
Mega Yahtzee Thread:
Highest 41: brocker2001 (#11,285).
Yahtzee of 2's: Emmber (#36,161).
Lowest 9: JoeltheWalrus (#312), Emmber (#12,505) and Dertinus (#20,953).
shatter, which is a domain spell for tempest clerics can be solid. Base is 3d8, (at level 2) plus another die per spell level, plus maximizing damage with your subclass ability. Not great, but good.
Personally I always thought tempest clerics should get lightning bolt as a domain spell, unfortunately no.
Call lightning is good, but can be tough to pull off indoors, and it’s concentration, so no bless for the party.
what happened to witch bolt? I don’t see it in the warlock spell list anymore?
My Tempest Cleric has a wand of lightning bolt which he pairs with channel divinity to toss 78/39 (using 6 charges in one cast) damage in a 100’ line. Only downside is the save dc is a flat 15 from the wand’s description, not his normal save dc.
Chain lightning
If you have the time for it Call Lightning does the most damage I think. Could be wrong.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Y'all know that answering a question after over two years probably isn't super helpful, right?
Look at what you've done. You spoiled it. You have nobody to blame but yourself. Go sit and think about your actions.
Don't be mean. Rudeness is a vicious cycle, and it has to stop somewhere. Exceptions for things that are funny.
Go to the current Competition of the Finest 'Brews! It's a cool place where cool people make cool things.
How I'm posting based on text formatting: Mod Hat Off - Mod Hat Also Off (I'm not a mod)
Hmm... I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps someone with the same issue will find the thread and then even though there was no joy for the initial poster, someone in the future will be helped by it. Someone like me who is making a tempest cleric and was wondering what would be a decent lightning spell that was also available to me.