# Witch Bolt *1st-level, Evocation*  - **Casting time:** 1 Action - **Range:** 60 feet - **Components:** V, S, M (a twig struck by lightning) - **Duration:** Concentration, up to 1 minute A beam of crackling energy lances toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against it. On a hit, the target takes `dice:2d12|noform|noparens|avg` (`2d12`) Lightning damage. On each of your subsequent turns, you can take a [Bonus Action](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/bonus-action-xphb.md) to deal `dice:1d12|noform|noparens|avg` (`1d12`) Lightning damage to the target automatically, even if the first attack missed. The spell ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has Total [Cover](/Rules/Source/variant-rules/cover-xphb.md) from you. **Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot.** The initial damage increases by `dice:1d12|noform|noparens|avg|text(1d12)` for each spell slot level above 1. **Classes**: [Bard (College of Lore)](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-college-of-lore-xphb.md "subclass=XPHB;class=XPHB"); [Bard](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-bard.md); [Fighter (Eldritch Knight)](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-eldritch-knight-xphb.md "subclass=XPHB;class=XPHB"); [Rogue (Arcane Trickster)](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-arcane-trickster-xphb.md "subclass=XPHB;class=XPHB"); [Sorcerer](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-sorcerer.md); [Warlock](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-warlock.md); [Wizard (Evoker)](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-evoker-xphb.md "subclass=XPHB;class=XPHB"); [Wizard](/Rules/Source/lists/list-spells-classes-wizard.md) *Source: Player's Handbook (2024) p. 343*