Is Lightning Bolt an attack?

[Legildur]

I know is sounds like a stupid question, but I was unable to find a definitive answer to what I would otherwise have considered obvious.

I'm asking because of the Confusion spell, where is states that:

Any confused character who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes.

Now the PHB glossary defines an attack as (my emphasis):

Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disable, or neutralize an opponent. The outcome of the attack is determined by an attack roll.

But Lightning Bolt doesn't involve an attack roll. Then I thought to myself, 'but hey, the Invisibility spell lists what an attack is.' So I have a look at that and it says the following (my emphasis):

For purposes of this spell, an attack includes any spell targeting a foe or whose area or effect includes a foe.

So, Lightning Bolt is only considered an attack when the caster is invisible. When I put these elements together, I come to the (odd) conclusion that casting a Lightning Bolt at someone is not an attack.

I figure I must be missing something?

 

[Sound of Azure]

While I realise this is D&D we are talking about, common sense would say that yeah, Lightning Bolt (a damaging affect) is an attack.

If someone waved their arms around and shot a lightning bolt at me, I would consider that an attack!

 

[Thanee]

There are two kinds of attacks.

1) The game term attack, which is defined in the glossary.
2) The colloquial term attack, which is often used in the text, like here.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Corsair]

Note the difference between verb and noun.

You can attack someone without using an attack action.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Attacks

Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke undead count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks. Spells that summon monsters or other allies are not attacks because the spells themselves don’t harm anyone.

There ya go.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Now the PHB glossary defines an attack as (my emphasis):

Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disable, or neutralize an opponent. The outcome of the attack is determined by an attack roll.

I think you highlighted the wrong area. You highlighted how you determine the outcome of an attack. You didn't highlight what at attack really is. Try this...

Any of numerous actions intended to harm, disable, or neutralize an opponent. The outcome of the attack is determined by an attack roll.

Makes more sense now, eh?

 

[starwed]

There's actually a special definition of attack, as it is used in spells:

Attacks: Some spell descriptions refer to attacking. All offensive combat actions, even those that don’t damage opponents are considered attacks. Attempts to turn or rebuke undead count as attacks. All spells that opponents resist with saving throws, that deal damage, or that otherwise harm or hamper subjects are attacks. Spells that summon monsters or other allies are not attacks because the spells themselves don’t harm anyone.

By this definition, lightning bolt is definately an attack.

 

[Legildur]

See, I figured I must have missed something! Thanks all.

And for what it's worth, I was treating it as an attack, but I couldn't nail it down. I guess it comes down to if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's a duck!