Does re-casting Witch Bolt use up another spell slot?
I'm relatively new to D&D and was wondering how the second part of the witch bolt spell in 5e works. The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
I understand it takes one spell slot to cast, but does re-casting it also use up a spell slot?
dnd-5e spells spell-slots
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
add a comment |
I'm relatively new to D&D and was wondering how the second part of the witch bolt spell in 5e works. The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
I understand it takes one spell slot to cast, but does re-casting it also use up a spell slot?
dnd-5e spells spell-slots
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
1
Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50
add a comment |
I'm relatively new to D&D and was wondering how the second part of the witch bolt spell in 5e works. The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
I understand it takes one spell slot to cast, but does re-casting it also use up a spell slot?
dnd-5e spells spell-slots
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
I'm relatively new to D&D and was wondering how the second part of the witch bolt spell in 5e works. The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
I understand it takes one spell slot to cast, but does re-casting it also use up a spell slot?
dnd-5e spells spell-slots
dnd-5e spells spell-slots
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
edited Dec 11 '18 at 18:51
V2Blast
19.7k356121
19.7k356121
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
asked Dec 11 '18 at 15:47
Snarf
1035
1035
1
Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50
add a comment |
1
Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50
1
1
Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50
Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50
add a comment |
2 Answers
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oldest
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No. It takes only the initial spell slot.
The spell is cast only once, and as an effect of the spell, the additional bolts occur on subsequent turns. These do not count as additional 'castings' of Witch Bolt.
Witch Bolt has a duration of 1 minute. The text says:
... Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the
target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the
duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the
target automatically.
The text in bold does not say 'you can use your action to cast the spell again' only 'you can use your action to automatically deal damage. This does not cost you any more spell slots (but you can't cast any more action-Casting Time spells while you sustain this effect)
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
add a comment |
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
Emphasis mine, is where you're confused. No part of Witch Bolt involves a "recasting" of the spell.
Let's reread the description for Witch Bolt:
A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has total cover from you.
Also emphasis mine.
What Witch Bolt allows you to do is use your action repeatedly on subsequent turns to reapply the damage, without needing to make another Attack Roll or force another Saving Throw. So long as the target remains in range, you have a guaranteed damage source for the duration. That's the strength of this spell. Nothing in the description says anything about "recasting" the spell; this is simply an Action used to invoke this damage. The only time you'll cast the spell again is if the duration ends (naturally or early) and you decide to cast the spell again.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
No. It takes only the initial spell slot.
The spell is cast only once, and as an effect of the spell, the additional bolts occur on subsequent turns. These do not count as additional 'castings' of Witch Bolt.
Witch Bolt has a duration of 1 minute. The text says:
... Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the
target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the
duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the
target automatically.
The text in bold does not say 'you can use your action to cast the spell again' only 'you can use your action to automatically deal damage. This does not cost you any more spell slots (but you can't cast any more action-Casting Time spells while you sustain this effect)
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
add a comment |
No. It takes only the initial spell slot.
The spell is cast only once, and as an effect of the spell, the additional bolts occur on subsequent turns. These do not count as additional 'castings' of Witch Bolt.
Witch Bolt has a duration of 1 minute. The text says:
... Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the
target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the
duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the
target automatically.
The text in bold does not say 'you can use your action to cast the spell again' only 'you can use your action to automatically deal damage. This does not cost you any more spell slots (but you can't cast any more action-Casting Time spells while you sustain this effect)
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
add a comment |
No. It takes only the initial spell slot.
The spell is cast only once, and as an effect of the spell, the additional bolts occur on subsequent turns. These do not count as additional 'castings' of Witch Bolt.
Witch Bolt has a duration of 1 minute. The text says:
... Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the
target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the
duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the
target automatically.
The text in bold does not say 'you can use your action to cast the spell again' only 'you can use your action to automatically deal damage. This does not cost you any more spell slots (but you can't cast any more action-Casting Time spells while you sustain this effect)
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
No. It takes only the initial spell slot.
The spell is cast only once, and as an effect of the spell, the additional bolts occur on subsequent turns. These do not count as additional 'castings' of Witch Bolt.
Witch Bolt has a duration of 1 minute. The text says:
... Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the
target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the
duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the
target automatically.
The text in bold does not say 'you can use your action to cast the spell again' only 'you can use your action to automatically deal damage. This does not cost you any more spell slots (but you can't cast any more action-Casting Time spells while you sustain this effect)
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:51
MarkTO
2,106324
2,106324
add a comment |
add a comment |
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
Emphasis mine, is where you're confused. No part of Witch Bolt involves a "recasting" of the spell.
Let's reread the description for Witch Bolt:
A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has total cover from you.
Also emphasis mine.
What Witch Bolt allows you to do is use your action repeatedly on subsequent turns to reapply the damage, without needing to make another Attack Roll or force another Saving Throw. So long as the target remains in range, you have a guaranteed damage source for the duration. That's the strength of this spell. Nothing in the description says anything about "recasting" the spell; this is simply an Action used to invoke this damage. The only time you'll cast the spell again is if the duration ends (naturally or early) and you decide to cast the spell again.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
add a comment |
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
Emphasis mine, is where you're confused. No part of Witch Bolt involves a "recasting" of the spell.
Let's reread the description for Witch Bolt:
A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has total cover from you.
Also emphasis mine.
What Witch Bolt allows you to do is use your action repeatedly on subsequent turns to reapply the damage, without needing to make another Attack Roll or force another Saving Throw. So long as the target remains in range, you have a guaranteed damage source for the duration. That's the strength of this spell. Nothing in the description says anything about "recasting" the spell; this is simply an Action used to invoke this damage. The only time you'll cast the spell again is if the duration ends (naturally or early) and you decide to cast the spell again.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
add a comment |
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
Emphasis mine, is where you're confused. No part of Witch Bolt involves a "recasting" of the spell.
Let's reread the description for Witch Bolt:
A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has total cover from you.
Also emphasis mine.
What Witch Bolt allows you to do is use your action repeatedly on subsequent turns to reapply the damage, without needing to make another Attack Roll or force another Saving Throw. So long as the target remains in range, you have a guaranteed damage source for the duration. That's the strength of this spell. Nothing in the description says anything about "recasting" the spell; this is simply an Action used to invoke this damage. The only time you'll cast the spell again is if the duration ends (naturally or early) and you decide to cast the spell again.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
The Action provided by Witch Bolt is not "Recasting" the spell
The first cast allows me to recast it until the target exits the spell range, moves into full cover, or I cast something else.
Emphasis mine, is where you're confused. No part of Witch Bolt involves a "recasting" of the spell.
Let's reread the description for Witch Bolt:
A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell's range or if it has total cover from you.
Also emphasis mine.
What Witch Bolt allows you to do is use your action repeatedly on subsequent turns to reapply the damage, without needing to make another Attack Roll or force another Saving Throw. So long as the target remains in range, you have a guaranteed damage source for the duration. That's the strength of this spell. Nothing in the description says anything about "recasting" the spell; this is simply an Action used to invoke this damage. The only time you'll cast the spell again is if the duration ends (naturally or early) and you decide to cast the spell again.
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
answered Dec 11 '18 at 15:54
Xirema
16.1k24698
16.1k24698
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
add a comment |
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
7
7
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
Basically, imagine that you're a Sith, shooting lightning at your opponent. Each turn, you can continue shooting lighting (uses your action) or choose to stop if you want to show mercy. The spell is just continuous until you decide to do something else (or someone breaks your concentration)
– Doc
Dec 11 '18 at 16:45
add a comment |
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Hi Snarf, and welcome to RPG Stack Exchange! Check out our tour to see how we work here, and whenever you reach 20 rep you are welcome to join us in Role-playing Games Chat.
– doppelgreener♦
Dec 11 '18 at 15:50