Lightning Bolt

Lightning Bolt
Lightning Bolt Level 1 shaman ability 30 yd range 7.1% of Base Mana 2.5 sec cast Casts a bolt of lightning at the target for X Nature damage.
Usable by
Class	Shaman
Properties
Type	Offensive
School	Nature
Cooldown	None/Global Cooldown
Other information
Level learned	1
Improvements	[Elemental Focus], [Elemental Reach], [Elemental Precision], [Maelstrom Weapon], [Shamanism], [Conductivity]

Shamans know that lightning can strike twice in the same place.

Lightning Bolt is a Nature-based direct damage shaman spell, and is the first spell shamans learn. It is the only spammable damage spell for the shaman and one of the primary damage spells for elemental shamans.

Notes

• Lightning Bolt's range is only 30 yd, however the [Elemental Reach] passive for Elemental shamans increases it to 40 yd.
• Has traveling time, so can be combined with [Chain Lightning] or a Shock which are instant for spike damage.
• Lightning Bolt's spell power coefficient is greater than that of [Chain Lightning]. While its maximum damage is initially less than that of the first strike of Chain Lightning, it draws level at approximately 2071 spell power (less if Lightning Bolt is glyphed). Beyond this amount, therefore, Lightning Bolt causes more damage than Chain Lightning to a single target. However, Chain Lightning's shorter cast time prevents Lightning Bolt from ever achieving higher DPS.^{[citation needed]}
• As of Patch 4.2 the  [Glyph of Unleashed Lightning] allows you to cast it while moving which is very useful in all parts of the game, especially it's a must have glyph in PvP. However with [Spiritwalker's Grace] the effect is the same, so you will be able to cast Lightning Bolt and other non-instant Shaman spells while moving, but just for a short period of time.

Glyphs

• Glyph of Unleashed Lightning
• Major Glyph
• Use: Permanently teaches you this glyph.
  
  Your Lightning Bolt takes 5% longer to cast, but may be cast while moving.
• Classes: Shaman
• Requires Level 25
• Sell Price: 1

• Glyph of Telluric Currents
• Major Glyph
• Use: Permanently teaches you this glyph.
  
  Elemental, Restoration:
  Causes your Lightning Bolt to restore 2% of your mana when it strikes an enemy.
  
  Enhancement:
  Causes your Lightning Bolt to restore 10% of your mana when it strikes an enemy.
• Classes: Shaman
• Requires Level 25
• Sell Price: 1

Tips and tactics

• This is a good spell to start the fight and pull enemies until level 34 when you can learn [Lava Burst]. Used against a foe with no speed boosting abilities at max range, you can cast 3 Lightning Bolts in the span of time it takes for a mob to reach you. You can even cast a shock just as the 3rd Lightning Bolt finishes casting to max out damage against a pulled, incoming mob.
• It is also more likely to use during combat because of its 2.5 second casting time as opposed to other classes' similar function spells ( [Shadow Bolt], [Fireball]), and is fairly mana-efficient.

Patches and hotfixes

• Patch 5.3.0 (2013-05-21): Lightning Bolt can now be cast while moving.
  
• Hotfix (2012-09-20): "Lightning Bolt damage has been increased by approximately 8%. This also applies to Overload Lightning Bolt and Echo of the Elements Lightning Bolt."
  
• Patch 4.3.0 (2011-11-29): Lightning Bolt has a new spell effect.
  
• Patch 2.3.0 (2007-11-13): cast time reduced to 2.5 (from 3.0 where applicable), mana costs reduced, benefit from spell damage reduced appropriately.
  
• Patch 1.11.0 (2006-06-20): Mana cost reduced approximately 17%.
  

See also

• Lightning Bolt TCG Card

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB