Call Lightning 5e - D&D 5th Edition Spell Book

Call Lightning 5e Spell Effects

3rd-level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 feet

Components: V, S

Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

A storm cloud appears in the shape of a cylinder that is 10 feet tall with a 60-foot radius, centered on a point you can see within range directly above you. The spell fails if you can't see a point in the air where the storm cloud could appear (for example, if you are in a room that can't accommodate the cloud).

When you cast the spell, choose a point you can see under the cloud. A bolt of lightning flashes down from the cloud to that point. Each creature within 5 feet of that point must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d10 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. On each of your turns until the spell ends, you can use your action to call down lightning in this way again, targeting the same point or a different one.

If you are outdoors in stormy conditions when you cast this spell, the spell gives you control over the existing storm instead of creating a new one. Under such conditions, the spell's damage increases by 1d10.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th or higher level, the damage increases by 1d10 for each slot level above 3rd.

All information on Call Lightning 5e comes from the DnD Player's Handbook.

Classes That Can Cast Call Lightning 5e

Of all classes in the Player's Handbook, only druids gain access to casting call lightning 5e. Yes, call lightning is purely a druid spell.

You would think that sorcerers, wizards, and even nature domain clerics should perhaps be able to cast the spell, but the official rules say otherwise.

Call Lightning Spell Effectiveness

Damage	3rd-Level Spell	4th-Level Spell	5th-Level Spell	6th-Level Spell	7th-Level Spell	8th-Level Spell	9th-Level Spell
Damage Dice	3d10	4d10	5d10	6d10	7d10	8d10	9d10
Average Damage	16.5	22	27.5	33	38.5	44	49.5
3-Target Damage	49	66	82	99	115	132	148
Average Fighter DPR	19	23	27	30.5	34	37.5	41

Call Lightning Spell Damage

This table provides information on the damage that Call Lightning 5e could do, as compared to a fighter of a similar level (based on the level it would take to cast each spell level). Average fighter DPR refers to their damage per round, which is roughly calculated prior to factoring in hit chance. Also, note that call lightning could easily hit more (or less) than the 3-target damage numbers shown above.

Call Lightning 5e Usefulness

Every spell in D&D 5e that can hit multiple targets has the potential to be absolutely game-breaking when it's cast in the right situation. Try using call lightning in the following ways to maximize its usefulness for you.

If you're outside, and see multiple enemies clumped together - at least 2, but preferably 3 or more - blast them with call lightning for some huge damage.
Cast call lightning 5e on any enemies who (somehow) have lightning vulnerability, to double your damage.
Since you can call down lightning bolts using this spell, every round, for no additional spell slots, try using it when you're besieged. That is, if your enemy has to attack into your position, then the cloud you created can continue to rain down lightning damage upon them.
For additional value, cast call lightning 5e whenever you happen to be fighting in a storm. Since the spell deals an additional 1d10 damage in stormy weather, this is an excellent time to go crazy with lightning.
Finally, cast call lightning against enemies with low Dexterity save scores. The higher your hit chance with call lightning 5e, the less likely you are to have your spell damage halved from successful saving throws.

Lightning Damage Resistances, Immunities, and Vulnerabilities

When using call lightning 5e, it's worth knowing ahead of time that in the DnD Monster Manual, there are 35 monsters with lightning damage resistance, 10 monsters with lightning damage immunity, and yes - 0 monsters with lightning damage vulnerability.

Of course, you may come across situations where your dungeon master throws in enemies who have lightning damage vulnerability, but aside from that, call lightning only has liabilities. As with spells like acid splash 5e and burning hands 5e, where tons of monsters have resistance, be very careful about using call lightning on enemies. The worst thing you can have happen is to only deal half damage - or even no damage - against enemies, from casting your 3rd-level spell.

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Combine Call Lightning with the Following Spells

Pretty much every damage-based spell becomes more powerful when combined with other spells. Try out some of these high-powered mixtures for some spectacular results.

Alarm 5e: this one's a little more for fun than optimization. But just imagine setting up the alarm spell while you sleep outdoors. If a group of goblins comes to ambush you, not only are they surprised when your party is already awake, but they'll be absolutely stunned to see the flashing light of an incoming lightning bolt.
Bane 5e: as with basically every damage spell in D&D, casting bane on your target to lower their saving throw by 1d4 before crushing them with lightning is a major plus. Note that since bane, like call lightning, is also a concentration spell, you'll need to have an ally to set up this combo.
Haste 5e: since call lightning 5e says that "on each of your turns until the spell ends, you can use your action to call down lightning," it isn't perfectly clear if the limit of lightning bolts is once per turn, or once per action you spend. If the limit is actually actions spent, then having haste maintained on you by an ally actually allows you to effectively double-cast call lightning each turn, causing really massive damage into entire groups of enemies. In any case, this is one where you should strongly consider asking your dungeon master for backup, to let you have some lightning-based fun.

Call Lightning 5e Counters

As with any spell that requires concentration, you have to be cautious about taking damage, or else the spell effect could fade. Also, just note that any enemy who has silence 5e can prevent you from casting call lightning. Meanwhile, enemies affected by Bless 5e have +1d4 on their Dexterity saving throws, making call lighting less likely to hit for full damage.

Perhaps one of the biggest counters to call lightning 5e is that enemies can simply leave the 60-foot radius area that the cloud covers. Once enemies are out of that area, they can no longer be targeted by that same call lightning spell.

Call Lightning-Type Spells in Eternity TTRPG

In the Eternity TTRPG Game System, there are actually a number of spells very similar in nature to Call Lightning 5e. I've provided one example below, in case you're interested in other Games Like DnD which you may not have heard about before.

Pyromancer - Core Class Spell

Pyro Storm (Magic): up to 3 enemies in 4Range, -9Faith vs. Will, deals 1damage (deals 2damage to cryomancers). “Pyro Storm” cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

Even if this Spell misses, you also gain

1 stack of “Inferno,” which gives you a chance to deal an additional 1damage with

certain pyromancer Spells. Stacks are not consumed when used, and you can gain up to 2 stacks. When casting “Pyro Storm,” roll d20. If you roll in the following values – based on your number of “Inferno” stacks – if your attack hits, you instead deal 2damage:

1 stack of “Inferno”: 19-20. 2 stacks of

“Inferno”: 17-20.

(Flames of the Abyss) -2Faith vs. Will.
(Magic of the Silver Lands) 8Range. You also have 8Range when casting this Spell, for Battle Duration.
(Elemental Fire) Every turn, Instantly cast this Spell with -12Faith vs. Will. Instantly casting “Pyro Storm” in this way does not give you an additional stack of “Inferno.” This Critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

Pyro Storm is a fire damage spell that can hit up to 3-targets at a time. When you cast Pyro Storm as a Critical, if you take the "Elemental Fire" option, it allows you to recast the spell every turn, just with lower hit chance. Obviously, there are a number of similarities between this spell and Call Lightning 5e, though the finer points, and overall aesthetics are different.

Curious to learn more? Check out the Eternity TTRPG Core Game PDF!

Pyromancer - Core Class Spell

Pyro Storm (Magic): up to 3 enemies in 4Range, -9Faith vs. Will, deals 1damage (deals 2damage to cryomancers). “Pyro Storm” cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

Even if this Spell misses, you also gain 1 stack of “Inferno,” which gives you a chance to deal an additional 1damage with

1 stack of “Inferno”: 19-20. 2 stacks of “Inferno”: 17-20.

(Flames of the Abyss) -2Faith vs. Will.
(Magic of the Silver Lands) 8Range. You also have 8Range when casting this Spell, for Battle Duration.
(Elemental Fire) Every turn, Instantly cast this Spell with -12Faith vs. Will. Instantly casting “Pyro Storm” in this way does not give you an additional stack of “Inferno.” This Critical effect cannot Double-Hit or give a Block.

Curious to learn more? Check out the Eternity TTRPG Core Game PDF!

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Author - Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed this article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.

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Crooked Moon: The Crimson Monastery

By Jacob Tegtman • July 29, 2025

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QklD9CbOoV0&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription “In the flames, there is purity and salvation. From the flames, she speaks…” Those aren’t the words of a prophet. They’re the twisted scripture of a zealot. Deep in the mountains of Druskenvald, a crimson light spills from stained glass windows. It’s not salvation. It’s a warning. Today, we’re venturing into one of the darkest D&D adventures I’ve ever read—The Crimson Monastery, from my new personal favorite, Crooked Moon. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your faithful companion through the wildest realms of Dungeons & Dragons. If you love your fantasy served with horror, vampires, and morally gray decisions, buckle in—we’re about to descend into a bloodstained cathedral of corruption. Let me tell you a story. Once, there was a noble knight named Marius Renathyr. A beacon of honor, clad in gold armor, championing justice in a cursed land. He loved a priestess of the Nightmother, and though they burned with passion, he kept his vows. But as his crusade wore on, so did his soul. Wrath replaced compassion. And that’s when she found him. Viraxys, a devil who fed on twisted souls, disguised her voice as that of a goddess—the Crimson Rose. On the verge of death, Marius accepted her offer of life eternal. But what she gave him was a curse. Now immortal, now a vampire, now a puppet to her whims, Marius returned to the world not as a hero… but as Father Renathyr, the Crimson Abbot. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see exactly what being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Father Renathyr took over a mountain monastery, corrupted its clergy, and built a religion around his devil’s false divinity. In the village below—Dawn’s Gate—the people tremble under his sermons. Refuse his faith, and you’ll be burned alive. Embrace it, and you may become something far worse. This isn’t just a dungeon crawl. It’s a full-blown crusade to take down a vampire cult… from the inside. The Crimon Monastery is awesome – there’s just so much to it. But let’s start out by saying that Father Renathyr’s not alone. His cult is sustained by three terrifying Priors, each with their own tragic backstory and twisted gifts: There’s Houndmaster Jaeger , Friar Olaf , and perhaps the most terrifying , Inquisitor Cromwell . Each of them appears human at first. But when defeated, their monstrous Night Creature forms are revealed for a brutal second phase. They’re more than lieutenants—they’re potential successors. If you don’t take out all three, the cult might survive… without Renathyr. And then there’s the monastery itself. It’s not just a setting. It’s a trap. The whole thing. The monastery’s walls are made of bloodstone—a cursed material that prevents blood from drying. If you’re wounded, you leave a visible trail, and stealth becomes nearly impossible. All around are red stained-glass windows arranged in rose-petal patterns. They bathe everything in an eerie light. Inside, the rituals are disturbing: bodies bled at the altar, corpses hanging in the Dead Larder, prayers whispered under a false god. Oh—and there’s no sunlight. A blessing from the Crimson Rose means that even magical sunlight won’t harm vampires within these walls. This is their stronghold. You’re not just breaking in to your usual dungeon crawl. With the Crimon Monastery, you’re invading a fortress of the damned. Finally, this story doesn’t end with one death. Kill Father Renathyr without wiping out his Priors? You start a civil war. The survivors fight for control, leading to bloodshed across the region. But what if you expose the truth—that the Crimson Rose is a devil—and show proof to the faithful? You could cause the entire cult to collapse in one dramatic showdown. The townsfolk revolt. The Bloodless turn on each other. The Crimson Monastery falls into ruin. You get to choose the ending. But be warned: leave even one thread intact, and the nightmare may rise again. So, adventurer... if you haven’t picked up the Crooked Moon yet, it might just be time. If you’ve liked what you’ve heard, the Crimson Monastery is only one of many adventures within this beautiful new book. So, let me know what path you’d take in the comments below. Like this video if you love dark, story-rich adventures. Subscribe for more deep dives into the shadowy corners of D&D, and let us know you want us to cover next. Until next time—stay safe, roll high, and never trust a rose without thorns.

A book cover for dungeons & dragons forgotten realms adventures in faerun

Baldur's Gate, Moonshae Isles, and Icewind Dale - Adventures in Faerun

By Jacob Tegtman • July 24, 2025

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKV7iRcC31c&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Wizards just dropped a bombshell—and no, it’s not another owlbear plushie. We’re finally heading back to the Forgotten Realms with a brand-new DM sourcebook—and it’s got survival horror, urban intrigue, and a ton of iconic locations. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your go-to for all things Dungeons & Dragons—rules, reveals, and Realm-shaking updates. Let’s start with the basics. Adventures in Faerûn is the brand-new Dungeon Master expansion dropping this November, and it's built specifically for the new rules update. That means it plays nice with the shiny new Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide. But unlike previous setting books, this one’s taking a genre-first approach. Instead of just a map and a lore dump, each of the five featured regions is tailored to a unique style of play. Think ‘Baldur’s Gate’ as gritty urban fantasy. ‘Icewind Dale’? Full-on survival horror. Yes please. Here’s the lineup of iconic locales we’re getting tools for: Baldur’s Gate – which you probably know from all our favorite, Baldur’s Gate 3. There’s urban crime, political tension, and maybe a little devilry. Calimshan – from older renditions of the Forgotten Realms Lore. You’ll fine scheming nobles and arcane secrets in an Arabian-Nights-esque setting. The Dalelands – from both 2e and 3e Forgotten Realms lore. This is classic high fantasy with lots of room for heroic sagas. Moonshae Isles – from The Moonshae Isles Regional Guide. It comes with Celtic vibes and druidic magic—great for mystery and folklore campaigns. Icewind Dale – which you can read about in the Legend of Drizzt Novels, by R.A. Salvatore. Here, you can expect Frostbitten survival, isolation, and ancient horrors. Each region comes with new adventure hooks, genre tone guides, and NPC inspiration tailored to the vibe. Real quick to interrupt, we now have free downloadable D&D cards at the Eternity TTRPG website that you can use at your table. Everything from combat actions to status effects – no more flipping through your book to see what exactly being “Petrified” does to your character. You can just take our graphics, print them out at home, and slap them on your table for fun and easy reference. Grab yours today using the link, below! Now, back to the video. Here’s the cool part—some of this material with the Forgotten Realms hasn’t been touched in Fifth Edition. Like, ever. They’re digging into the deeper lore of Faerûn and even pulling some artistic cues from Baldur’s Gate 3. You might recognize a few faces—or infernal contracts—from the game. And while it’s not confirmed, early previews suggest the book might come with poster maps—yes, actual tearaway maps. Which awesome. My table is ready. Adventures in Faerûn officially releases on November 11th, 2025. But—if you pre-order through D&D Beyond or an early-access local game store, you’ll get the digital version weeks in advance. Price isn’t locked yet, but it’ll probably sit around the usual $50 USD mark—same ballpark as Phandelver & Below and Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Now, you know how Wizards rolls: we’ll likely get tie-in minis from WizKids, and there’s a good chance Beadle & Grimm's will cook up one of their deluxe kits—metal coins, props, the works. To wrap it all up, here’s why this book matters: 5e hasn’t had a full Realms guide since 2015’s Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide. That’s nearly a decade without a dedicated Realms setting book. With the new rules and player guide dropping alongside it, this feels like Wizards’ attempt to make the Forgotten Realms fresh again—for new players and you experience, veteran gamer-grognards, alike. So, what do you think? Which of the five locations would you run a campaign in first? Is this genre-based format the future of setting books? Drop your take in the comments, smash that like button like it’s a mimic, and subscribe for more D&D news, lore, and spicy takes. Until next time—may your dice roll high and your plot hooks land.

A poster that says starset the great dimming

New Kickstarter - Starset the Great Dimming - GrimDark SciFi

By Jacob Tegtman • July 22, 2025

Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJt6sfuolo8&ab_channel=EternityTTRPG Transcription Civilization cut off. The solar system dimming. You’re not a hero—you’re just a soul, caught in the aftermath. Hey everyone! Today we’re unpacking Starset: The Great Dimming—the new 2nd‑edition tabletop RPG by Josiah Mork. It's a gritty, hope‑tinged sci‑fi RPG where ordinary lives shape the story. If you haven’t ever tried out TTRPGs besides D&D, this video is for you. I personally love finding the gems out there, especially from people who have fresh ideas in the RPG space. So, let’s dive into what makes this game truly unique. 1. Life‑Path Character Creation – “Your Story Shapes Your Stats” In most tabletop RPGs, you start by picking numbers—your strength, intelligence, gear, etc. Starset flips that completely. Here, you start with a life path : five origin stories to choose from— Combat , Common , Exploration , Mercenary , or Slave . These aren’t classes. They’re your character’s past. Were they a soldier in a forgotten war? A wanderer searching for hope? A prisoner stripped of identity? Once you’ve chosen, you roll dice to simulate major events in that character’s life. Each result gives you a moral choice , like “Did you steal the food to survive… or go hungry and keep your honor?” Your decision directly affects what skills, alliances, and scars your character carries—and even how old they are by the time the game begins. And yes, it’s possible to die before session one. That's how real and brutal the world of Starset is. You also collect keywords —these are mechanical tags that represent things like trauma, friendships, or defining traits. Some make you stronger. Others are burdens that shape how you grow. Either way, they evolve with you, like emotional milestones that actually change your abilities over time. In short: You don’t make a character—you live them. As creator Josiah Mork put it, this is “ backstory on mega-steroids. ” 2. Simultaneous Action Resolution – “It’s Not Your Turn—It’s Everyone’s Turn” In most tabletop RPGs, combat goes in turns: “You go, then I go, then the monster goes.” Starset changes the entire flow. Here’s how it works: Whenever someone targets you—say, with an attack or a persuasion attempt—that action is delayed until the end of your next turn . That delay is called a Floating Action . It gives you and your allies time to do something about it. Maybe you dodge out of the way. Maybe you talk them down . Maybe your teammate steps in with an assist , giving you a boost. These responses turn every round into a mini strategy session. So instead of sitting there waiting for your next turn, the idea is that you’re constantly engaged. Helping allies. Blocking threats. Choosing whether to defend, or risk it all. Your dice pool —which you use for actions—is also your health . Take a hit, and you lose dice. That means fewer options and more vulnerability next turn. The result? Combat is less “hit and wait” and more like chess with story beats— tactical, interactive, and team-driven. Even the quiet players at the table get a reason to act and shine. 3. Rich, Thought‑Provoking Worldbuilding – “Loneliness Is the Real Enemy” Starset isn’t just dark because it looks cool—it’s dark because it wants to say something. The game is set after a cosmic event collapses the Oort Cloud... did I pronounce that right? The Oort Cloud collapses, cutting off Earth from the rest of humanity. Civilization falls into chaos. Survivors are left scattered, alone, and desperate for connection. Every faction in the game is built around a different solution to loneliness : One turns to faith . Another to techno-utopia . One seeks control through power. Others build tight-knit communities . Each choice has promise… and danger. No side is “right”—they just reflect real human struggles. To support this, the game includes the 8 Edicts of Man , a set of philosophical rules that shape society post-collapse. The setting spans 1,000 years of history , giving Game Masters tons of material—from colony ships in deep space to dying cities on Earth. At the end of every game session, players earn experience not for killing monsters, but by sharing how their character helped others or fought against isolation . It’s a system that rewards empathy, as much as power. So yes, Starset is bleak—but it’s also hopeful. It’s a game about surviving the dark… by reaching for the light. Who Should Play Starset… and Why? So who is this game really for? Starset is for story lovers : If you're the kind of player who enjoys deep, emotional character arcs—where your decisions carry weight and shape your story—Starset was made for you. Every character is a layered person with a past, not just a collection of stats. Starset is for strategic thinkers : Starset rewards thoughtful play. Combat and problem-solving aren't just about rolling high—they're about making smart, team-based decisions. And because you’re always involved—even during someone else’s turn—there’s no dead time at the table. Starset is for sci-fi fans with a philosophical streak : Starset tackles big questions: How do we find connection in a broken world? What do we believe in when everything falls apart? If you love sci-fi that makes you think, you’ll feel right at home. And finally, Starset is for game masters who crave worldbuilding fuel : The game’s setting is rich with lore—factions, history, philosophy, politics. It's all there to spark story hooks, conversations, and custom adventures. Whether you’re building a gritty survival tale or a cosmic morality play, Starset gives you tools to explore both. To summarize, here’s Why Starset Stands Out You don’t just create a character—you live their backstory through interactive choices before the game even begins. The simultaneous action system keeps players engaged and reactive, almost all the time. Which is a fresh change to many D&D battles, if we’re being honest. The world of Starset is dark, yes—but it’s also filled with glimmers of hope , and it challenges you to explore themes like empathy, survival, and belief. And finally, every rule and system is designed to reward meaningful interaction —with the world and each other. The Bottom line? Starset doesn’t ask, “How do you win?” Instead, it asks, “What kind of person will you be when everything falls apart?” Intrigued? You can back it now on Kickstarter or check out the rulebook when it’s available. And lastly, let me know what you think of new game coverage like this, in the comments below. Eternity TTRPG is still feeling out who we are as a channel, so your insight helps me connect you with the content you want most. Until next time!

Call Lightning 5e - D&D 5th Edition Spell Book

Call Lightning 5e Spell Effects

Classes That Can Cast Call Lightning 5e