Force Lightning
EnergyDark- Cost
- 4 FP
- Activation
- Action
- Range
- 30 ft line or 15 ft cone
- Recommended Lv
- Lv 10+
Effect
As an Action, you unleash a torrent of crackling dark energy in a 30 ft line or a 15 ft cone (your choice) originating from you. Each creature in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Wisdom modifier). On a failed save, a creature takes 4d6 electric damage + your Proficiency Bonus + your Wisdom modifier; on a successful save, it takes half as much damage. Creatures that fail the save cannot take Reactions until the start of your next turn. Targets may use reactions that reduce or negate damage before making the saving throw.
At the Table
Backed against a reactor housing with two stormtroopers closing in, the Sith acolyte spends 4 FP and splays both hands, loosing a 15 ft cone of crackling dark energy. Both troopers roll Dexterity saves against your DC of 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Wisdom modifier; one fails and eats 4d6 electric damage plus your PB and WIS mod, the other halves it on a save. The fried trooper can't take Reactions until the start of your next turn, so he can't dive for cover as you stride past. Need to skewer a tighter row of enemies instead? Pick the 30 ft line and watch it arc straight down the corridor.
In the Lore
Force Lightning is the signature offensive power of the dark side, channeling raw Force energy into lethal arcs that course through a victim's body. In canon it is Emperor Palpatine's calling card — torturing Luke Skywalker aboard the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi and unleashing a fleet-crippling storm at the Battle of Exegol in The Rise of Skywalker — while Count Dooku wields it against Anakin and Obi-Wan during their duel in Attack of the Clones. The technique runs deep through Legends as well, used by Sith from Darth Sidious to Jedi-turned-dark-siders like Jerec and the redeemed Galen Marek (Starkiller) of The Force Unleashed. The Jedi traditionally shun it as an expression of hatred and aggression; Yoda absorbs Dooku's bolts in Attack of the Clones and Mace Windu deflects Sidious's in Revenge of the Sith, while Luke catches and redirects them in Legends. Its place is firmly within the dark side's Alter discipline, born of rage rather than the Jedi's defensive restraint.