Lightning Bolt (Skyrim)

For other uses, see Lightning Bolt.

Lightning Bolt is an Apprentice-level Destruction spell in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

CharacteristicsEdit

When cast, it 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. Lightning Bolt is also a possible enchantment for staves.

PerksEdit

• 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.

Spell tomeEdit

AttributesEdit

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

AcquisitionEdit

• Court Wizards sell this spell tome.
• Sometimes found on hostile mages.
• May be found in chests.
• Faralda at the College of Winterhold also sells this spell.
• Enthir at the College of Winterhold sells this spell for a higher price until completion of the quest "Hard Answers."

UsefulnessEdit

• Lightning Bolt damages both Health and Magicka when cast, making the spell effective against 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 Dragonborn uses the spell just before a dragon shouts, the dragon will be prevented from doing so, though this is only true when dual-cast in conjunction with the Impact perk. Charge and maintain the dual-cast until the dragon breathes in or rears its head back in preparation for a dragon breath, then release the spell to stagger the dragon.
• Lightning Bolt will strike a target immediately when cast, unlike Ice Spike or Firebolt, which makes it useful for firing at enemies from long-range.

GalleryEdit

Lightning Bolt first-person charging

Lightning Bolt third-person charging

Lightning Bolt first-person

Lightning Bolt third-person

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AppearancesEdit

• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends
• The Elder Scrolls: Blades