Baldur's Gate 3: How To Get & Use Lightning Charges

This article is part of a directory: Baldur's Gate 3: Complete Guide And Walkthrough

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What Are Lightning Charges?

How To Get Lightning Charges

How To Use Lightning Charges

All Items That Use & Generate Lightning Charges

Baldur's Gate 3 has a wealth of mechanics and items for players to explore, and while this keeps the game interesting, it can also be confusing. One such mechanic, Lightning Charges, has shown up on magic items in the campaigns of players with no explanation.

Related: Baldur's Gate 3: What Are Ability Scores? Seeing a magic item with a Lightning Charge mechanic might make you wonder - especially if the item fits your build. What are Lightning Charges? Where do they come from? And finally, how do you use Lightning Charges? If you are more experienced with the mechanic, you might instead wonder what items there are that give and/or use Lightning Charges. Keep reading for answers to all of your questions.

What Are Lightning Charges?

A character with Lightning Charges casting Ray of Frost

Lightning Charges are an intangible resource in Baldur's Gate granted by some items. These Charges give the character a +1 on Attack Rolls and Damage, often in addition to a secondary effect determined by the item. Lighting Charges decay at a rate of -1 per round, meaning you'll need to generate new ones constantly.

How To Get Lightning Charges

A screenshot of the Spellsparkler equipped on Gale

Lightning Charges are gained by fulfilling certain conditions while wearing a Lightning Charge item. The exact conditions will depend on which item you are wearing but should be stated on the item's detail page.

How To Use Lightning Charges

A player dealing lightning damage to an enemy

Lightning Charges will fall off the character when consumed by the item, or at a rate of -1 per round. A character that has at least one charge will deal +1 damage and have a +1 to all attack rolls. Additionally, some items give a powerful effect when you gain Lightning Charges, such as gaining Temporary Hit Points.

All Items That Use & Generate Lightning Charges

The Blast Pendant, The Sparky Points, and The Joltshooter from Baldur's Gate 3

There are a total of ten known items in Baldur's Gate 3 that work with the Lightning Charge mechanic. Some grant the wearer Lightning Charges, while others grant boons to characters who have Lightning Charges.

Items That Grant Lightning Charges

Item	Type	Effect
The Speedy Lightfeet	Boots	+1 to Athletics Checks Speedy Sparks: When the wearer dashes or takes a similar action during combat, they gain 3 Lightning Charges.
The Watersparkers	Boots	Electrifyer: When the wearer stands in water during combat, it becomes electrified. Watersparks: If the wearer starts their turn on an electrified surface, they gain 2 Lightning Charges
The Joltshooter	Longbow	Electric Blood: When the wielder deals damage with this weapon, they gain 2 Lightning Charges.
The Spellsparkler	Quarterstaff	Electric Veins: When the wielder deals damage with a spell or cantrip, they gain 2 Lightning Charges. Important Note: This effect applies per enemy damaged meaning that multi-target and area-of-effect spells generate 2 charges per damaged enemy.
The Sparky Points	Trident	Electric Blood: When the wielder deals damage using this weapon, they gain 2 Lightning Charges.

Items That Consume Lightning Charges

Item	Type	Effect
The Lifebringer	Helm	Lifecharger: When the wearer gains Lightning Charges, they also gain 3 Temporary Hit Points. The temporary Hit Points disappear if the wearer runs out of Lightning Charges.
The Protecty Sparkswall	Clothing	Sparkswall Armor: The wearer has +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throws as long as they have Lightning Charges.
The Sparkle Hands	Gloves	+1 to Strength Saving Throws Charged Movement: The wearer has an additional +1 to Strength and Dexterity Checks, as long as they have Lightning Charges.
The Real Sparky Sparkswall	Shield	Lightning Aura: Release a blast of electricity. Consume 4 Lightning Charges to create a Lightning Aura. The initial blast Jolts nearby enemies and possibly deals 1d6 Lightning Damage. Jolted: Takes 1d4 Lightning damage each turn and can’t take Reactions. Removed upon leaving the Lightning Aura.
The Blast Pendant	Amulet	Lightning Blast: Once per Long Rest you may focus the electricity in your veins as a bonus action. Your next lightning spell or cantrip deals additional Lightning damage equal to your remaining Lightning Charges. On a hit, all of your Lightning Charges are consumed.

Next: Baldur's Gate 3: What Is The Guardian?