You create a bolt of lightning that arcs toward a target of your choice that you can see within range. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 2d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Lightning arcs from the creature, and you are able to target up to 2 additional creatures within 20 feet. Those creatures must make Dexterity saving throws. Each target takes 1d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage (both initial and arcs) increases by 1d8, and one additional arc leaps from the first target to another target, for each slot level above 2nd.