# Witch Bolt *1st-level, Evocation*  - **Casting time:** 1 action - **Range:** 60 feet - **Components:** V, S, 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 `2d12` Lightning damage. On each of your subsequent turns, you can take a [Bonus Action](bonus-action-xphb.md) to deal `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](Assets/5ETools/rules/variant-rules/cover-xphb.md) from you. **Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot.** The initial damage increases by `1d12` for each spell slot level above 1. **Classes**: [Bard](list-spells-classes-bard.md); [Sorcerer](list-spells-classes-sorcerer.md); [Sorcerer](list-spells-classes-sorcerer.md); [Warlock](list-spells-classes-warlock.md); [Warlock](list-spells-classes-warlock.md); [Wizard](list-spells-classes-wizard.md); [Wizard](list-spells-classes-wizard.md); [Rogue (Arcane Trickster)](list-spells-classes-rogue-xphb-arcane-trickster-xphb.md); [Bard (College of Lore)](list-spells-classes-bard-xphb-college-of-lore-xphb.md); [Fighter (Eldritch Knight)](list-spells-classes-fighter-xphb-eldritch-knight-xphb.md); [Wizard (Evoker)](list-spells-classes-wizard-xphb-evoker-xphb.md) *Source: Player's Handbook (2024) p. 343*