Guiding Bolt 5e D&D Guide

Greetings, fellow seekers of the arcane! I’m Alex Hawthorne, your devoted guide to the wondrous world of spells, and today, I’m eager to shed light on the magnificent Guiding Bolt.

Imagine harnessing the radiant power of the divine, channeling it into a brilliant beam of energy that not only harms your foes but also illuminates their vulnerabilities for your allies.

With Guiding Bolt, you can be a beacon of hope, guiding your companions to victory.

Join me as we explore the intricacies of this spell, its rules, and the ingenious ways to wield its radiant brilliance.

What is Guiding Bolt in D&D 5e?

Guiding Bolt is a 1st-level evocation spell that calls upon divine energy to create a guiding beam of light.

This radiant beam strikes a target, dealing damage, and illuminates the target, granting advantage on the next attack roll made against it.

How to Master Guiding Bolt:

Mastering Guiding Bolt requires faith, precision, and strategic thinking.

Here’s how I can effectively use this spell:

1. Casting Guiding Bolt: I channel the power of my deity, aiming at a creature within range. Guiding Bolt requires a ranged spell attack roll. If the attack hits, the target is bathed in radiant energy, taking damage and becoming illuminated by a guiding light.
2. Damage Calculation: Guiding Bolt deals radiant damage, with the damage determined by rolling 4d6 radiant damage at 1st level. The damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st. After rolling damage, the radiant light clings to the target, granting advantage on the next attack roll made against it.
3. Advantage for Allies: Guiding Bolt not only harms the enemy but also provides a tactical advantage to my allies. The illuminated target becomes an easier mark, making it an ideal setup for heavy-hitting attacks from my companions.
4. Range and Visibility: Guiding Bolt has a range of 120 feet, allowing me to strike enemies from a considerable distance. The radiant light emitted from the target also dispels darkness and provides visibility, revealing hidden foes and concealed traps.
5. Precision and Timing: I choose my targets wisely, focusing on powerful foes or creatures that pose a significant threat. By timing my casts strategically, I can ensure my allies make the most of the advantage granted by the guiding light.

Rules for Using Guiding Bolt:

1. Spell Level: Guiding Bolt is a 1st-level evocation spell, available to clerics.
2. Casting Time: Guiding Bolt has a casting time of 1 action. This means you can cast the spell during your turn in combat.
3. Range: The spell has a range of 120 feet. This means you can target a creature within 120 feet of you.
4. Target: You choose one creature you can see within range as the target for Guiding Bolt.
5. Damage Calculation: Guiding Bolt deals radiant damage. At 1st level, it deals 4d6 radiant damage on a hit. The damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st. For example, if you cast Guiding Bolt using a 2nd-level spell slot, it would deal 5d6 radiant damage.
6. Advantage on Next Attack: If the Guiding Bolt attack hits, the target is illuminated with radiant energy, granting advantage on the next attack roll made against it before the end of your next turn. This means the next attack roll against the target has a higher chance of success.
7. Spell Attack Roll: Guiding Bolt requires a ranged spell attack roll to hit the target. To make an attack roll, roll a d20 and add your spellcasting ability modifier and your proficiency bonus. If the result equals or exceeds the target’s Armor Class, the attack hits.
8. Visibility and Concealment: The radiant light emitted from the target of Guiding Bolt dispels darkness and provides visibility. If the target was previously concealed or in darkness, it is now clearly visible to you and your allies.
9. Casting at Higher Levels: When you cast Guiding Bolt using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 radiant damage for each slot level above 1st, as mentioned earlier.

Examples of Guiding Bolt Usage:

Picture this: A menacing vampire lord stands before us, shrouded in darkness. With unwavering faith, I call upon the power of my deity and unleash a Guiding Bolt. A radiant beam streaks across the shadows, striking the vampire directly in the heart. The divine energy not only burns the undead creature but also envelops it in a guiding light. My companions, now guided by this radiant beacon, swiftly follow up with precise strikes, seizing the advantage and weakening our formidable foe.

In another scenario, a group of sneaky rogues attempts to ambush us from the cover of darkness. I cast Guiding Bolt at the shadows, illuminating the area. The radiant light reveals the rogues’ positions, allowing my party to thwart their surprise attack and turn the tables in our favor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Guiding Bolt in D&D 5e:

With Guiding Bolt at my command, I become a guiding beacon of divine radiance, leading my allies to victory and banishing the darkness that seeks to envelop us.

May your faith be steadfast, your aim true, and your enemies quiver before the radiant might you unleash.

Safe travels and luminous victories!