Chain Lightning, a WoW Forever Shaman ability

In the Elemental tab of the Shaman spellbook. Every rank: 30 yd range, 2 sec cast, 6 sec cooldown. Nature school. Scales with 57.1% of spell power (direct) (Classic 71.4% of spell power (direct)).

What Chain Lightning does, rank by rank 4 ranks

Level	Rank and what it does
32	Rank 1 changed Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 85 to 97 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 225 Mana. Classic: Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 200 to 226 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 280 Mana, 2.5 sec cast.
40	Rank 2 changed Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 97 to 109 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 305 Mana. Classic: Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 288 to 322 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 380 Mana, 2.5 sec cast.
48	Rank 3 changed Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 109 to 121 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 390 Mana. Classic: Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 391 to 437 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 490 Mana, 2.5 sec cast.
56	Rank 4 changed Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 119 to 133 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 485 Mana. Classic: Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 505 to 563 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies. Each jump reduces the damage by 30%. Affects 3 total targets. 605 Mana, 2.5 sec cast.

What changed from Classic

Ranks 1 to 4 changed.

On the Shaman abilities list: Also half a second faster: rank 1 is a 2 sec cast, 6 sec cooldown, 3 targets, each jump 30% weaker. Max Elemental Alacrity brings Lightning Bolt to the same 2 sec.

Talents that change Chain Lightning 8

• 
  ConvectionElemental row 1 (level 10), 5 ranks. At 5/5: Reduces the mana cost of your Shock, Lightning Bolt, Lava Burst, and Chain Lightning spells by 10%.
• 
  ConcussionElemental row 1 (level 10), 5 ranks. At 5/5: Increases the damage done by your Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Earth Shock spells by 5%.
• 
  Elemental AlacrityElemental row 3 (level 20), 3 ranks. At 3/3: Reduces the cast time of your Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Lava Burst spells by 0.50 sec.
• 
  Eye of the StormElemental row 4 (level 25), 3 ranks. At 3/3: Reduces the pushback suffered from damaging attacks while casting Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, and Lava Burst by 70%.
• 
  Call of ThunderElemental row 4 (level 25), 1 rank. Increases the critical strike chance of your Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning spells by 3%.
• 
  Elemental ReachElemental row 5 (level 30), 2 ranks. At 2/2: Increases the range of your Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Fire Nova, and Lava Burst spells by 6 yards, and increases the range of your Flame Shock spell by 15 yards.
• 
  Lightning OverloadElemental row 5 (level 30), 3 ranks. At 3/3: Gives your Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning spells a 10% chance to cast a second, similar spell on the same target at no additional cost that causes half damage and no threat.
• 
  StormstrikeEnhancement row 4 (level 25), 1 rank. Instantly strike for normal weapon damage and increase the damage you deal to the target with your next Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, or Earth Shock spell by 20% for 12 sec.

Questions

What level do you get Chain Lightning in WoW Forever?

Level 32; its 4 ranks come at 32, 40, 48 and 56 (beta client spellbook, build 70291).

Is Chain Lightning a talent in WoW Forever?

No. Chain Lightning is in the Elemental tab of the Shaman spellbook, and no Shaman talent teaches it. 8 talents change it: Convection, Concussion, Elemental Alacrity, Eye of the Storm, Call of Thunder, Elemental Reach, Lightning Overload and Stormstrike.

Did Chain Lightning change from Classic?

Yes: ranks 1 to 4 changed. Rank 4 now reads "Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 119 to 133 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies." where Classic read "Hurls a lightning bolt at the enemy, dealing 505 to 563 Nature damage and then jumping to additional nearby enemies."

What is the cast time and cooldown of Chain Lightning?

2 sec cast at every rank (Classic: 2.5 sec cast); cooldown 6 sec. From the beta client's tooltip, build 70291.

Last checked against beta build 1.60.1.70291 on 8 Oct 2026. Classic's text from the Classic client.

Before it in the Elemental tab: Call of the Spirits. After it: Earth Shock. Every Shaman spell by level, every Shaman talent and the Shaman calculator.