D&D 5E Lightning Bolt should be better.

[MonsterEnvy]

Lightning Bolt is fine.

 

[Storyteller Hero]

I think for a 3rd level spell dealing 8d6 average 28 damage to a 20’ radius is much too powerful. After nearly TPKing (5) 4th level characters yesterday, I might house rule using 3rd level slot is 6d6, and 2d6 each slot after that… dunno, need to think about the path of that, but adding average 7 damage seems about right for each slot.

It's worth noting that spells are balanced with PC use in mind rather than monster use against PCs. It's because there's a significant amount in difference in how PCs and monsters are built. This is why spell damage should be tweaked when a monster uses it, to fit in line with the guidelines in the DMG for designing monsters.

 

[Lazvon]

It's worth noting that spells are balanced with PC use in mind rather than monster use against PCs. It's because there's a significant amount in difference in how PCs and monsters are built. This is why spell damage should be tweaked when a monster uses it, to fit in line with the guidelines in the DMG for designing monsters.

Thanks. Will see if I can find that.

 

[Mannahnin]

I think for a 3rd level spell dealing 8d6 average 28 damage to a 20’ radius is much too powerful. After nearly TPKing (5) 4th level characters yesterday, I might house rule using 3rd level slot is 6d6, and 2d6 each slot after that… dunno, need to think about the path of that, but adding average 7 damage seems about right for each slot.

It's worth noting that spells are balanced with PC use in mind rather than monster use against PCs. It's because there's a significant amount in difference in how PCs and monsters are built. This is why spell damage should be tweaked when a monster uses it, to fit in line with the guidelines in the DMG for designing monsters.

This is a fair point. In a recent adventure I played in, IIRC we had our party of 7th level PCs get ambushed by several Flameskulls, and we took a LOT of damage. It was a rough one.

 

[Garthanos]

I think for a 3rd level spell dealing 8d6 average 28 damage to a 20’ radius is much too powerful. After nearly TPKing (5) 4th level characters yesterday, I might house rule using 3rd level slot is 6d6, and 2d6 each slot after that… dunno, need to think about the path of that, but adding average 7 damage seems about right for each slot.

A5e made the standard fireball a 6d6 (with a variant 8d6)