Lightning Bolt (Skyrim)

Lightning Bolt is an Apprentice-level Destruction spell in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim that, when cast, creates a bolt of lightning that does 25 points of damage to Health, and half that to Magicka. Casting this spell causes a bolt of electricity to fling at the intended target. Unlike Sparks, which sprays a jet of electricity continuously, Lightning Bolt must be charged momentarily, then fired. Dual-casting this spell creates a unique animation. Lightning Bolt is also a possible enchantment for staves.

Perks

 * With the Destruction perk, "Augmented Shock," damage done by Lightning bolt increases by 25%, whether dually or singly cast, for the first point invested and 50% for the second.
 * "Impact" causes a target to stagger when Destruction spells are dual-wielded (but not the continual-cast spells, i.e., Flames, Sparks, Frostbite).
 * "Disintegrate" causes targets with low Health to be instantly killed when hit with shock damage.

Attributes

 * Weight: 1
 * Value: 95
 * See Spell Tome for a complete table of spell tomes, their descriptions, and their values.

Acquisition

 * Farengar Secret-Fire sells Lightning Bolt after the Dragonborn assists Jarl Balgruuf the Greater with defeating Mirmulnir.
 * Faralda at The College of Winterhold also sells this spell.

Usefulness

 * Lightning Bolt damages both Health and Magicka when cast, making the spell effective against other mages.


 * Lightning Bolt is a great spell to use against non-hostile or airborne Dragons, since the spell does not arc like an arrow, and it reaches its target instantly, unlike Firebolt or Ice Spike. However, Lightning Bolt does have a definitive range, and sometimes the dragon needs to be close enough to hit with the spell.


 * Conjured Storm Atronachs and Storm Thralls are resistant to shock damage, so misfired Lightning Bolts do not harm them as much as other summoned Daedra.
 * If the player uses the spell just before a dragon shouts, the dragon will be prevented from doing so.