{{Skillbox|game= Diablo IIID3

|treetier= Storm1|clvl= 2

|type= Direct [[Damage|quantity= 1-2 damage|effect= Random bolt|school= ]]/[[LightningAoE]]|resource= Costs [[Arcane Power]]|cost= 2|cast-time= Instant|durationalabaster= NoneUnknown|cooldowncrimson= 1.5 secUnknown<!-- |synergiesgolden= Link them -->Unknown<!-- |reqindigo= Link it -->Unknown<!-- |prereqobsidian= Link it -->Unknown<!-- |catexclude= --> <!-- ONLY USE THIS IF THE SKILL IS FAN SKILL OR ARCHIVED -->

[[Image:Wiz-charged-bolt1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Wizard and her carpet.]]The spell familiar from [[Diablo I]] and [[Diablo II]] returns in [[Diablo III]]. As previously, Charged Bolt send out a smattering of randomly-scattering charges, each of which deal minor damage to any enemy that passes over them. The strength of Charged Bolt comes not from the damage of each bolt, but from the carpeting effect of repeated casts, since it's a spell with very low [[mana]] cost. These can turn the floor into a field of death for any enemy without lightning immunity. The spell summons three little crackling bits of lightning that zig and zag a bit, but move in a more or less straight line away from the [[Wizard]]. It seemed that the bolts spread out quite a bit more than they did in D2, and that made it hard to hit anything in front of me with more than one bolt.[http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/wizard-gameplay-report/P2/] That's not how it looks in more recent screenshots though, where the bolts seem to carpet the dungeon floor quite nicely. More testing will be required. At [[BlizzCon 2009]] the damage had been lowered from 1-8 to 1-2, but the mana had also gone down significantly (to 2). Using this spell together with high spell crit would likely [[stun]] enemies a lot, considering lightning [[critical hit|crits]] now stun targets.  

==[[Trait Synergies]]==Charged Bolt benefits directly from the following [[Wizard traits]]:* [[Glass Cannon (trait)|Glass Cannon]]: Increases damage done by spells and increases armor.* [[Intimidation (trait)|Intimidation]]: Increases damage done and reduces vendor costs.* [[Quickening (trait)|Quickening]]: Increases spell casting speed.

==[[Rune|Skill Rune]] Effects==* None No [[rune]] effects for Charged Bolt are known.

'''Charged Bolt ''' was first shown at [[BlizzCon 2008]]when the [[Wizard]] debuted, and where it was still in at Tier I on the game at [[BlizzCon 2009Storm Skill Tree]]. In 2009 it had a much lower mana cost, and significantly lower damage than in 2008, indicating the spell is now more used for the "carpet effect" of previous games. At [[BlizzCon 2010Flux]], was able to try it was still in the game but wasn't one of the Wizard's starting skillsout:[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/wizard-gameplay-report/P2/]

<blockquote>'''Previous Games:'''<br>{{iw|D1_Spellbooks#Charged_Bolt Charged Bolt}} was introduced Three little crackling bits of lightning are sent forth along the ground, where they zig and zag a bit, but move in [[Diablo a more or less straight line away from the Sorceress. I]]didn’t use this spell much, where but it wasseemed to me that the bolts spread out quite a bit more than they did in D2, as and that made it is now, a very cheap spell hard to cast multiple times hit anything in hopes front of killing many enemies me with a carpet of lightningmore than one bolt. The [[Diablo I Manual]] describes "true essence of Electromagnetism exists on the threshold of the Ethereal and the Physical Realms. While That’s now how it is very efficient to transform [[Mana]] into electrical energylooks in screenshots though, it is extremely difficult where the bolts seem to controlcarpet the dungeon floor quite nicely." The spell calls in pockets of lightning that just crawls around randomly, in a general directionMore testing will be required.''</blockquote>

This first version of It was still in the spell increased number of charges as well as game at [[BlizzCon 2009]]; there, it had a much lower mana cost, and significantly lower damage when higher levels of than in 2008, indicating the spell have been foundwas intended to be used more for the "carpet effect" of previous games.

At [[BlizzCon 2010]], it was still in the game but wasn't one of the Wizard's starting skills. ===Previous Versions===See the [[Wizard skill archive]] for more details on previous versions of Charged Bolt and other Wizard skills.<br> Or see [[Charged Bolt (BlizzCon 2008)]] for the original version of this skill. ===In Other Games==={{iw|D1_Spellbooks#Charged_Bolt Charged Bolt}} was introduced in [[Diablo I]], where it was, as it is now, a very cheap spell to cast multiple times in hopes of killing many enemies with a carpet of lightning. The spell calls in pockets of lightning that just crawls around randomly, in a general direction. The second iteration of {{iw|Sorceress_Lightning_Spells#Charged_Bolt Charged Bolt}} was a [[{{iw|Sorceress Sorceress]] }} spell in [[Diablo II]], and is basically identical in design. It's one of few Tier 1 spells in the skill trees that scale well even at higher levels, being quite useful at max level.

Charged Bolt can be seen in action on video here:* [[Gameplay: Blizzcon 2008]] You can find pictures in the Diablo 3 III screenshot and picture gallery:* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/ Diablo 3 III screenshots and pictures]* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/gallery/search.php?keywords=Charged+Bolt&cat=all&x=10&y=8 '''Charged Bolt''' specific gallery contents] 

Image:Diablo_III_LogoWiz-charged-bolt1.jpg|Skill use 1Image:Diablo_III_LogoMagic carpet of death.jpg|Skill use 2Image:Diablo_III_Logo.jpg|Skill use 2Image:Diablo_III_Logo.jpg|Skill use 3

* {{iw|D1_Spellbooks#Charged_Bolt Diablo I Charged Bolt}}* {{iw|Sorceress_Lightning_Spells#Charged_Bolt Diablo II Charged Bolt}}* [[Charged Bolt (BlizzCon 2008)]]  -->

* [[Diablo II Manual]http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-wizard-skill-trees/ BlizzCon 2009 Full Wizard Skill Trees]* [[Diablo I Manual]]