Level
2nd
Casting Time
1 Action
Range/Area
30 ft.
Components
V, S, M *
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Attack/Save
Ranged
Damage/Effect
Lightning
A bolt of white lightning infused with magical pain jumps from your outstretched finger to strike one creature that you can see within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 5d8 lightning damage and can't take reactions until the end of your next turn.
If damage from this spell forces the target to make a saving throw to maintain concentration, it has disadvantage on the saving throw, and the DC is increased by an amount equal to your spellcasting modifier (minimum +1).
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.
* - (a blue amber worth at least 150gp)Previous Versions
| Name | Date Modified | Views | Adds | Version | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12/19/2020 2:00:22 PM
|
385
|
54
|
1.0
|
Coming Soon
|
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Posted Jan 13, 2023This Spell is BUSTED.
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Posted Jan 14, 2023I recommend comparing the spell against scorching ray, another 2nd-level spell that deals similar damage and also uses spell attacks. I think you'll find that jolt of pain is at a similar power-level. Generally speaking, character-optimizers tend to agree that there are more powerful options for 2nd-level spells.
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Posted Sep 5, 2024This spell would be ok if damage were 3d8.
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Posted Jul 17, 2025The spell is overpowered imo. The damage is fine when compared against Scorching Ray (average of 21 damage across three hits versus an average of 22.5 on one hit). Despite it being a bit higher, Scorching Ray gives more opportunities to hit and therefore to crit, so I think it evens out. The problem is the two additional effects tacked on that Scorching Ray doesn't have (No reactions and disadvantage on concentration saves) make this objectively better than an already good spell. I'd suggest either dropping the damage to 3d8 and keeping the additional effects (maybe without adding your spell mod to the save DC, since I can't think of anything else in the game that provides that effect) or keeping the damage at 5d8 lightning and taking off the other effects. The former puts it in line with Tasha's Mind Whip and the latter makes for a single-target focused lightning version of Scorching Ray.
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Posted Jul 18, 2025No, it's not overpowered. Scorching Ray is already better at interrupting concentration. And you haven't considered the 30 foot range at all. You haven't playtested with the spell, and it shows. I'm not interested in theorycrafting from someone who has barely thought about the content.