D&D 5E Arc Lightning

[Yunru]

Arc Lightning
Evocation cantrip
Casting time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: S
Duration: Instantaneous
Tendrils of electricity launch towards a creature within 30 feet of you. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit that creature takes 1d6 lightning damage and you may make another ranged spell attack against a different creature within 15 feet of the first. On a hit that creature takes 1d4 lightning damage.
The damage the first creature takes increases by 1d6 at levels 5, 11 and 17, and the damage the second creature takes increases by 1d4 at those levels.

 

[jaelis]

I think you can make both dies d6, since the second attack is conditional on the first hitting.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Or make both rolls d4s but remove the secondary hit roll have the damage be automatic instead like greenflame blade. That will make the spell quicker to resolve (important for a cantrip that will be cast a lot) and makes it more interesting to use since you can use a low AC enemy as a conduit to damage a high-AC one.

 

[Xeviat]

I think you can make both dies d6, since the second attack is conditional on the first hitting.

I agree. The range between the two targets is better than Acid splash, but needing to hit the first balanced any improvement.

Acid Splash
65% chance for target to fail its save (a -1 save) against two targets (1d6 each) would be an average of 4.55 damage across both.

Arc Lightning
65% to hit, 5% crit
At 1d6 to both, 2.45 to first target, and 1.5925 to the second, for a total of 4.0425. I think that's a fair trade.


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[Sword of Spirit]

Increase the range to 60' and the damage on both stays at 1d6 (that's my version of the same concept). It still will always be a niche cantrip that isn't as popular at the stand by single target blasters.

Now, since you aren't requiring a verbal component, it is a little bit better, but probably not enough to justify nerfing it. If you do, no one will want to take it.

 

[cbwjm]

If going by the standard acid splash people are comparing this spell to, I'd go d6 both dice.

If going by my updated acid splash which increases the targets to everything within 5 feet (that is, a 2x2 square) I'd probably just allow the secondary damage to arc to another target within range, without needing an attack roll, if the first attack hits similar to green flame blade.