D&D 5E (2014) Witch Bolt and Elemental Affinity

[Pickaxe]

If a 6th level draconic sorceror (lightning) hits a foe with Witch Bolt, does the Charisma bonus add to the damage each round, or just the first?

 

[Staffan]

I'd allow it. Witch bolt is weak, and can use whatever buffs you can give it.

 

[Mephista]

I don't think there's a solid answer. Some DMs would interpret "When you cast a spell of the type" to mean that it has to be on the same turn. Others just might take that line to mean that it has to be a spell and one you cast, and not some other ability like a dragonborn's breath, or someone else casting Shocking Grasp.

I personally think the intent is the latter, so you can add in the damage on subsequent turns.

 

[Moorcrys]

I'd allow it. Witch bolt is weak, and can use whatever buffs you can give it.

This.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

This combo works even better if you use twinned spell on it. Not game breaking by any means, but probably the best way to make witch bolt actually feel cool like it should be.

The sad part is that there is no ranged lightning cantrip, so your sorcerer won't be getting their Cha mod to damage with their default ranged attack spell. That is a glaring oversight that I hope is fixed the next time we get spells.

 

[Fralex]

The sad part is that there is no ranged lightning cantrip, so your sorcerer won't be getting their Cha mod to damage with their default ranged attack spell. That is a glaring oversight that I hope is fixed the next time we get spells.

Here's one I just made up:

Flashbolt
Evocation cantrip

Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 50 feet
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

A crackling arc of lightning streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d6 lightning damage. Whether you hit or miss, your hand emits a flash of dim light in a 40-foot radius, illuminating yourself and your surroundings for a second or so.
The spell creates more than one arc when you reach higher levels: two arcs at 5th level, three arcs at 11th level, and four arcs at 17th level. You can direct the arcs at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each arc.

Edit: decided to upload this to the database.

 

[Pickaxe]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I know that Witch Bolt is considered by many to be underpowered, and in my own situation it's a question of whether I should swap it for something else. While I see the arguments for it being underpowered, my next level is 6th, which would be my first opportunity to apply Elemental Affinity to it. While I don't disagree that WB is underpowered, my own circumstances suggest some reasons for keeping it, but ar they sufficient? Specifically:

I'm a lightning draconic sorceror on the verge on Elemental Affinity.
I have the Spell Sniper feat, which doubles the range of the spell, one of the chief deficiencies of WB.
I have Quicken Spell. Applying d12+3 on subsequent rounds is one of those things one can do with their action and still cast a quickened spell.
I actually don't have Twinned Spell, though I plan on getting it at 10th. (I recognize that many of my choices will seem suboptimal, but I'm more interested in what to do with what I have.

So, is this enough to keep Witch Bolt?

 

[Coredump]

Sure, keep it and see how it plays out for you. YOu can always swap it out later.

 

[Fralex]

Witch Bolt gives me one of the coolest mental images when I read the description, so if you have a chance to have it really BE as much fun as it sounds in my head, go for it!

 

[miniaturehoarder]

So, is this enough to keep Witch Bolt?

Not really. Unless battlefields in your DM's game are particularly uncluttered, Witch bolt's achilles heel is too great. The spell ending as soon as the target gains total cover means most times any other damage spell would have been better. And the spell certainly makes it look like it is a good idea to do exactly that! If you had a bolt of lighting bouncing between you and a spell caster, it would be stupid NOT to try getting behind cover.