History ShockAndAwe / VideoGames

** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776'': Thunder magic is the trademark magic of the Tordo bloodline - with Tordo himself, Tailto, Teeny and Linda as heroic examples, Ishtore and Ishtar as [[AntiVillain anti-villainous]] ones, and Reptor and Bloom as [[PsychoElectro full-on villains]]. Non-Tordo examples include Elia, Olwen and Reinhardt.

*** Kanji Tatsumi in ''VideoGame/Persona4'' is more of a physical person, but most of his magic is Lightning based. Like Akihiko, his Persona is also of the Emperor Arcana. The Player Character starts off with Izanagi, a Persona with electric attacks.

* ''Videogame/BaldursGate'', as a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' adaptation, has lightning spells, of which the most accessible is the Level 3 Lightning Bolt. [[note]]Lightning Bolt has been known to rebound unpredictably off the scenery and may not be safe when used in enclosed spaces, such as dungeons, cities, or the Prime Material Plane. [[SideEffectsInclude Lightning Bolt is used at your own risk and the risk of everyone around you. Do not get Lightning Bolt wet and never feed it after midnight.]][[/note]]

* In ''Videogame/{{Destiny}}'', "Arc" is a form of Light that can be wielded by Guardians, taking on the form of lightning. The lore indicates that Arc Light is not so much electricity as it is a form of magic that manipulates the materials and forces making up atoms, which is expressed destructively in the form of lightning.

* ''Videogame/DevilMayCry'' has Trish, a lightning demon whose powers are greatly shown in ''Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', and in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry DMC 2]]'', Lucia and Dante have access to the lightning elemental heart. One of the bosses in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3'' is Nevan, a demon who fights with lightning and [[BatOutOfHell bats]]. After she is defeated, she becomes a Devil Arm that takes the shape of a [[MixAndMatchWeapon guitar scythe.]]

* In the ''{{VideoGame/Grow}}'' games:

* ''Franchise/MortalKombat''

** Takeda's {{WhipSword}}s can channel an electrical current through them for extra damage.

* We have ''Videogame/RuneScape'''s Saradomin Strike attack. It summons a nice, harmless thunderbolt...

*** Akihiko Sanada in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' has an Emperor Arcana Persona that specializes in Lightning. Later, you get Ken Amada, a Justice character who can use Lightning and {{Light|EmUp}}.
*** Kanji Tatsumi in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' is more of a physical person, but most of his magic is Lightning based. Like Akihiko, his Persona is also of the Emperor Arcana. The Player Character starts off with Izanagi, a Persona with electric attacks.

*** Ryuji Sakamoto in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' serves as the team's lightning user, but his low Magic stat means he'll generally favour using his hard-hitting physical attacks instead, much like Kanji.

** From the first generation, there's the blind, serpentine Khezu and the Elder Dragon Kirin (the Oroshi subspecies, introduced in the fourth generation, is AnIcePerson instead).

** Electric Pokemon, on the whole, tend to favor high Special Attack and Speed stats, making them great for Special Sweeping in competitive play. Pure Electric-types only have Ground attacks as a weakness, but Ground attacks are so ubiquitous that it keeps it from being a total [[GameBreaker gamebreaking typing.]] The notable exception of electricity-wielding Electric Pokemon is Voltorb/Electrode. Despite being Electric-type, it did not learn any Electric-type attacks naturally until Gen III...at which point it was presented with 2, one of which was a mere stat-boosting move.

* The Ampeel[[note]]formerly known as the Shocker[[/note]] in ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'' uses this, similar to a real-life electric eel.

** Luigi gets to generate electricity in his hands as his specific power in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga''. The power returns in Mario Strikers Charged Football, where he can pull lightning from storm clouds.
** Wario uses it pretty often in the spin-off games. [[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Power Tennis]] implies that he [[MagicFromTechnology uses a special machine]] to do it.
** From ''VideoGame/WarioLand Shake It'', the Shake King has the ability to do this, shooting lightning bolts in an attempt to fry Wario (as well as just shooting giant laser beams and energy balls in general).

* Emitter-class weapons in ''VideoGame/SwordOfTheStars''. Emitters ''shine'' when facing large groups of [[GoddamnedBats small, evasive, fast-moving enemies, like the Swarm]], targets that are otherwise quite capable of dodging weapons fire from conventional ballistic or energy weapons, and too numerous to tackle with slow-firing missile weapons. The 'crowd control' potential from the accuracy and the chaining means [[KillStreak an entire cloud of bugs can be wiped out with only a few blasts]].

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' has Shock Arrows that Link can fire from his bow, which stuns enemies, disarms them, and can create splash damage if the arrow is fired into a pool of water, in a rainstorm, or at a metal crate. The Zora race can't touch Shock Arrows since Zoras are people of water and they don't mix well with electricity. In addition, there is the Lightning Rod (and its more powerful version the Thunder Rod) which fire balls of Lightning, and Sword, Great Sword, and Spear variants for melee use.

* ''VideoGame/{{SALVATOR}}'': [[PlayerCharacter [=SALVATOR=]]]'s special attack has him unleash a field of lightening around himself that destroys every asteroid within it.

* Zeta from ''VideoGame/MetaloidOrigin'' has the Thunder Wall, which allows her to shoot two walls of electricity in two opposite directions.

** The Electro Bolt ability in ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'' and ''VideoGame/BioShock2'', which is the first ability you learn in both games. Doesn't tend to kill but stuns the enemy (and can do high bonus damage if shot in water while an enemy's in it). Upgraded versions in ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' include ChainLightning and a continuous damaging arc of Tesla's delight.
** In ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'', the chemical launcher can shoot electric gel, and the shotgun can shoot electric shells. In ''VideoGame/BioShock2'', the final upgrade for the shotgun gives its normal shots a chance to shock the enemy.

* Lightning is the element produced from the [[WeirdMoon Yellow Moon]] in ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', and its spells can also sap power from opponents. [[TheWisePrince Enrique]], the prince of Valua (where the Yellow Moon orbits over -- also, the Yellow Moon causes fierce thunderstorms to strike Valua most of the time), learns lighting spells faster than the other party members. The Valuan admirals that you fight also know most of the lightning spells. [[TheHero Vyse]] learns [[PlayingWithFire red spells]] the fastest, but his higher level killer moves have a strong lightning theme.

* ''VideoGame/{{Painkiller}}'' has a gun that [[RuleOfCool fires shurikens and lightning.]] [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] was impressed.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Electric Pokemon, on the whole, tend to favor high Special Attack and Speed stats, making them great for Special Sweeping in competitive play. Pure Electric-types only have Ground attacks as a weakness, but Ground attacks are so ubiquitous that it keeps it from being a total [[GameBreaker gamebreaking typing.]] The notable exception of electricity-wielding Electric Pokemon is Voltorb/Electrode. Despite being Electric-type, it did not learn any Electric-type attacks naturally until Gen III...at which point it was presented with 2, one of which was a mere stat-boosting move.
** Pikachu, the series' mascot, is an Electric-type. Every successive generation has introduced another Electric-type rodent as well.
** The Gym Leaders Lt. Surge of Kanto, Wattson of Hoenn, Volkner of Sinnoh, Elesa of Unova, and Clement of Kalos as well as Trial Captain Sophocles all specialize in Electric-type Pokémon. As is usual for this trope, most of them have blond hair, and they tend to be engineers.
** A handful of Legendary Pokémon are Electric-Type: Zapdos from Gen I, Raikou from Gen II, Zekrom and Thundurus from Gen V, and Tapu Koko and Zeraora from Gen VII.

** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' has the Super Lightning blade as a weapon, while two of the game's boss fights - [[RebelLeader Yuan]] and Kvar -- use the lightning element exclusively. Although Colette prominently uses [[HolyHandGrenade Angel-aligned powers]], she also uses plenty of lightning-based powers as well, such as Para Ball, Torrential Para Ball, and Grand Chariot.

* The Lightning Bolt and Lightning Arrester psychs from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou''.
* Tien Wu, goddess of lightning, in ''Bikini Karate Babes''.
* Cole [=McGrath=], protagonist of ''VideoGame/InFAMOUS'', commands all manners of electricity based attacks, from [[LightningCanDoAnything grenades and shields to localized lightning strikes]]. You'll need all the powers you can get as [[NintendoHard the enemies are NOT pushovers]]. There's also unique electric powers for [[KarmaMeter the good and bad skill trees]], and [[MundaneUtility rail grinding and levitating]] to boot. There is even a Trophy labeled "Shock and Awe" in the sequel, where you Thunder Drop onto a group of five or more enemies.
* The Titans of the ''VideoGame/HeroesOfMightAndMagic'' series, the traditional ultimate unit of the Wizard/Academy/Tower faction since the second game, are giants that fling lightning bolts at their unlucky foes. The Titans of the fifth game take it even further; the default Titans can call lightning from the sky to strike their enemies (useful in situations where a ranged attack wouldn't be as effective) and the alternate upgrade, the Storm Titan, can ''summon stormclouds on the battlefield''. And the more magic oriented Heroes can make good use of the lightning bolt and chain lightning spells available in most of the games.
* The Arc Welder weapon in ''VideoGame/RedFactionGuerrilla'', a flamethrower that shoots lightning instead of flame and can kill a vehicle's pilot without damaging the vehicle.
* Emitter-class weapons in ''VideoGame/SwordOfTheStars''. Emitters ''shine'' when facing large groups of [[GoddamnedBats small, evasive, fast-moving enemies, like the Swarm]], targets that are otherwise quite capable of dodging weapons fire from conventional ballistic or energy weapons, and too numerous to tackle with slow-firing missile weapons. The 'crowd control' potential from the accuracy and the chaining means [[KillStreak an entire cloud of bugs can be wiped out with only a few blasts]].
* Tesla towers in ''VideoGame/DefenseGridTheAwakening'' can chain to nearby aliens. They also [[ChargedAttack charge up]] when not firing to unleash a stronger attack, making them good rear guard towers.
* ''VideoGame/BreathOfFireIII'':
** Aside from SquishyWizard Nina, Rei uses lightning magic. You won't use it a lot, though...
** It's also the trademark move of [[PsychoElectro Balio]], a recurring antagonist in the early portion of the game.
* Any ''Franchise/DotHack'' spell with the word "Rai" in it. (Rai Rom and its upgraded forms are one of the more impressive variations, creating a ''lightning tornado''.)
* ''VideoGame/{{Kamui}}Pacificators'' fighters use homing lightning extensively as attacks.
* ''VideoGame/RType'' has the R13 line of fighters, which all have a lightning-based WaveMotionGun.
* ''VideoGame/{{Suikoden}}'''s [[EnsembleDarkhorse Flik]] [[MeaningfulName The Blue Lightning]] comes with the Lightning Rune by default, and he's got a pretty damn good magic stat for a Knight-type character, which means his magic will hit hard. It's been a while, but IIRC, you can't remove the Lightning Rune from him (why would you?).
* Rachel Alucard from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue''.
* Comes loaded onto the Die Spinne 'Piranha' fighter in ''TabletopGame/CrimsonSkies: High Road to Revenge''.
* Alphonse in ''VideoGame/VisionsAndVoices'' is the only playable character who can use Shock spells.
* The titular character in ''VideoGame/OttoMatic'' has a weapon called Supernova which electrocutes everything in sight. Also used to activate doors and teleporters in one level, and it activates automatically if you step in water, but that won't do you much good because water makes you die.
* ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
** ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'':
*** The Arc Projector heavy weapon is a chain-lightning gun used to overpower non-armor defenses.
*** The Soldier and Infiltrator can shoot "lightning bullets" by using Disruptor Ammo, and some of the Engineer and Sentinel classes can use Overload, which delivers a powerful electromagnetic pulse that makes short work of [[NotUsingTheZWord rob...pardon me, SYNTHETIC]] enemies.
** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'':
*** There are "lightning bullets" called Disruptor Ammo.
*** The Engineer and Sentinel classes can use Overload, which delivers a powerful electromagnetic pulse at a specified location.
*** There are several quarian-designed electrical weapons, such as:
*** Arc Pistol
*** Reegar Carbine
*** Adas Anti-Synthetic Rifle
*** Certain classes (such as Infiltrator Shepard) have electrified omniblades -- which is lightning added to a disposable monomolecular glowing orange blade.
* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'':
** The [=RaiOh=] and [=DaiRaiOh=] of ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha 3'' elevate this to new heights by combining this trope with ExtremityExtremist. It being a walking ShoutOut to Franchise/KamenRider also helps.
** In the same franchise, variations of the mass-produced [[OriginalGeneration original mecha Gespenst]] is armed with plasma stakes that generate and store electricity that discharges following a MegatonPunch.
** What Warth Dienvel, TheRival OriginalGeneration mecha in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsX'', uses to attack its enemies.

* ''Franchise/DragonAge'':
** Lightning is one of the elemental magics a mage can use in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. The spell combination of Spell Might + Blizzard + Tempest (in that order) = [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome Storm of the Century]], which summons a ''massive lightning cyclone'' that will probably kill anything without full boss-level hp that's stuck in it for the entire spell duration. [[LadyOfBlackMagic Morrigan]] comes with both lightning and ice magic by default, making her a natural user of this combo.
** ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' groups earth and lightning spells together in the "Primal" tree.
** Named lightning mages are more common in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' than fire or ice. [[{{Necromancer}} Dorian]] is usually shown using lightning in promotional materials despite displaying no particular preference in-game. [[TheArchmage Grand Enchanter Fiona and Warden Commander Clarel]] both use lightning magic when seen in battle. Morrigan also returns, wielding a lightning staff.
* [[ColourCodedElements Yellow]] VideoGame/{{Pikmin}} are immune to electricity in the second game and can conduct it in the third game. Several enemies can also produce electricity, like the Anode Beetle, the Electric Cottonade, and the Bearded Amprat.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'': Scoring a CriticalHit on a humanoid target with a [[LightningGun Shock weapon]] overloads their entire body with electricity until it has nowhere else to go but to [[CruelAndUnusualDeath melt the victim's face and blow out a piece of their skull!]]
* Jaster Rogue in ''VideoGame/RogueGalaxy'' has the ability to make electricity generate from his sword and deal lightning damage during the duration of the spell. Useful for taking out mechanical {{Mooks}}.
* [[LadyOfWar Ginchiyo Tachibana]] in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors 2'' has a sword with a serrated blade which generates powerful pulses of lightning that electrocutes her foes as she slashes them, and can also call down waves of lightning from the sky as a special ability. Her musou attack allows her to create a [[BarrierWarrior powerful electromagnetic shield]] which damages all enemies in her immediate vicinity.
* ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto2'': The electric gun. All that's left of the poor sap you fried is a blueish skeleton.
* Semi-obscure PC fighting game ''VideoGame/OneMustFall'' features the [[MeaningfulName Electra]], a several-stories tall robot whose fighting style largely centers around the fact that, in place of hands, it possesses spikes which are conductors for its electrical attacks. These include small sparks fired by arcing electricity between them, forming ball lightning, just touching the opponent with both hands (and thus completing the circuit), and, finally, firing an electrical blast into the sky that summons lightning to destroy its opponent. [[ArtisticLicensePhysics Blatantly unrealistic,]] but [[RuleOfCool definitely one of the most awesome kills to watch.]]
* Electricity is a powerup in ''VideoGame/BackyardSports: Rookie Rush''.
* Electricity is the main attack of the Vortigaunts in ''VideoGame/HalfLife'' (and the Voltigores in ''Opposing Force''). You can play as a Vortigaunt and use this attack yourself in the bonus level of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 expansion pack, ''Half Life: Decay''.
* In ''VideoGame/CastleCrashers'', the Red Knight's magic is based around lightning.
* Haschel and the purple dragon in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Bug}}'' gets the power to zap his enemies when he picks up a limited-use Zap Cap PowerUp. And then there were the lightning bugs in [[BubblegloopSwamp Splot]], who fired electricity from their plug-like butt to electrocute Bug.
* ''Videogame/BaldursGate'', as a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' adaptation, has lightning spells, of which the most accessible is the Level 3 Lightning Bolt. [[note]]Lightning Bolt has been known to rebound unpredictably off the scenery and may not be safe when used in enclosed spaces, such as dungeons, cities, or the Prime Material Plane. [[SideEffectsInclude Lightning Bolt is used at your own risk and the risk of everyone around you. Do not get Lightning Bolt wet and never feed it after midnight.]][[/note]]
* VideoGame/ViewtifulJoe's girlfriend and sidekick, [[MsFanservice Sexy Silvia]], can use lightning based attacks such as Cool Blue Kick.
* We have ''Videogame/RuneScape'''s Saradomin Strike attack. It summons a nice, harmless thunderbolt...
* ''VideoGame/ModnationRacers'' has the Bolt Power-up that can level up from a linear attack, to a bolt that does splash damage, and then to a lightning storm attack that shocks every racer in front of the user.
* ''Videogame/DevilMayCry'' has Trish, a lightning demon whose powers are greatly shown in ''Marvel vs. Capcom 3'', and in ''[[VideoGame/DevilMayCry DMC 2]]'', Lucia and Dante have access to the lightning elemental heart. One of the bosses in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3'' is Nevan, a demon who fights with lightning and [[BatOutOfHell bats]]. After she is defeated, she becomes a Devil Arm that takes the shape of a [[MixAndMatchWeapon guitar scythe.]]
* All three games in the ''VideoGame/{{MOTHER}}'' trilogy feature the [[PsychicPowers PSI]] attack PK Thunder. Unlike most examples, this attack cannot be controlled and targets a random enemy. And as of Mother 3 it is one of the two PSI attacks not affected by PSI Shields or PSI Counter Devices. ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' reverses this by making PK Thunder the most controllable move Ness and Lucas can use, and it's just as easy to block as any other projectile.
* ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' has Lord Deus, who seems to be channeling the likes of [[Myth/GreekMythology Zeus]] in that he's the most powerful of the Seven Deities and commands lightning.
* In ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'', lightning is associated with Gwyn, the Lord of Sunlight. It's effective against many enemies and is particularly effective against dragons. Awesomely depicted in the opening cutscene when Gwyn and his entire army fling lightning bolts to bring down a swarm of dragons. The miracles offered by the Warriors of Sunlight covenant allow a player to do the same thing. A player can also forge weapons with a lightning enchantment, enchant a normal weapon with lightning via the Sunlight Blade miracle, or use a gold pine resin to temporarily charge it up.
* ''Franchise/FireEmblem'':
** In the series overall, Thunder magic is pretty important. It tends to have the highest raw power of the three Elemental Magic types, relatively [[PowerfulButInaccurate low hit rates]], but much higher [[CriticalHit critical ratings]] (It should be noticed that the ''Lightning'' spell is associated with [[HolyHandGrenade light magic]] and is nothing like the lightning element).
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThracia776'': Thunder magic is the trademark magic of the Tordo bloodline - with Tordo himself, Tailto, Teeny and Linda as heroic examples, Ishtore and Ishtar as [[AntiVillain anti-villainous]] ones, and Reptor and Bloom as [[PsychoElectro full-on villains]]. Non-Tordo examples include Elia, Olwen and Reinhardt.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'', ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'', and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones'': Thunder can be used by ''any'' Anima magic user, and integrates into the Anima Magic Triad alongside Wind and Fire. Particularly remarkable is how the bosses specializing in Magic (like Ursula, Sonia and/or Selena) possess almost inevitably a tome named [[DeathFromAbove Bolting]], which can deal massive damage from a long distance.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' and ''VideoGame/FireEmblemRadiantDawn'': The infamous BigEater Ilyana only uses Thunder magic, and at her highest level (Archsage) she's the only one able to use Rexbolt, the most powerful thunder magic in the Tellius series.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'': Though what Robin (the [[CharacterCustomization player avatar]]) wields is technically up to the player, they start out as a MagicKnight with access to a single Bronze Sword and a Thunder tome. Furthermore, cutscenes imply that Thunder magic is their favoured attack of choice. In their appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'', while they have at least one tome for each element that appeared in their debut game (including [[CastingAShadow darkness]]), they use all the common Thunder tomes (Thunder up to Thoron) and also come with the Levin Sword, [[ElementalWeapon a magic weapon capable of slinging Thunder magic]].
* ''VideoGame/AlisiaDragoon'' has the protagonist fighting with auto-targeting Thunder Magic, and one of her familiars has a total-screen-kill lightning attack.
* [[ChurchMilitant Klarann]] from ''VideoGame/NinetyNineNights'', although it's referred to as "Spirit" rather than "Lightning".
* In ''VideoGame/LunarTheSilverStar'', one of the main characters is Nash, who specializes in Thunder magic.
* In the first ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'', some of the enemies at Grind Square continuously spread electricity through some of the rails. In ''Jet Set Radio Future'', every time you get into an encounter with the cops, they will put up electrified fences to make sure you can't escape.
* ''[[VideoGame/PaRappaTheRapper Um Jammer Lammy]]'' has Teriyaki Yoko, an insect-like idol who will make lightning come down from the ceiling and shock Lammy or [=PaRappa=] if they are playing badly. The skull faces on each side of the stage also have electricity shoot out of their eyes and zap the entire audience.
* Gilius Thunderhead uses lightning magic in ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe 1''. In part 2 he has switched to DishingOutDirt though.
* ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies 2'' has the Lightning Reed, which attacks nearby zombies with lightning bolts.
* ''VideoGame/WildStar'' has Stormtalon, a massive dragon-creature that uses electricity and [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlowYouAway wind]] to produce lightning, deadly static discharges, and summon massive tornadoes.
* The short range "lightning" weapon in ''VideoGame/NeonXSZ'' is a burst-fire variation on this trope.
* In ''VideoGame/AWitchsTale'', Dorothy's doll ability is to cast a powerful Thun spell.
* ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'':
** Kennen incorporates electricity into all of his abilities, including one where he turns into a mass of lightning and can damage units by running through them.
** Volibear possesses power over lightning that he obtained after getting struck by a magical bolt of lightning on a trek up a mountain. Unlike Kennen, he only uses this ability in his LimitBreak, where he buffs his basic attacks to electrify his target and other units nearby.
* The Ampeel[[note]]formerly known as the Shocker[[/note]] in ''VideoGame/{{Subnautica}}'' uses this, similar to a real-life electric eel.
** The Ghost Leviathan is stated to have electricity-producing organs left over from a common ancestor with the Ampeel, but it sacrificed its actual electric attack for increased mobility at its larger size at some point when the rubbery membrane that gives the Ghost its name covered the organs in question.
* ''VideoGame/DragonsCrown'':
** After investing points in the Grand Smash skill, the Dwarf will be able produce lightning from his power smashes and hammer throws.
** One of the spells available to the Sorceress is the Thunderhead spell, which conjures a thunder cloud that floats around the battlefield while randomly zapping things with lightning.
** The Wizard has his own lightning spell in the Thunderbolt, which calls down several lightning bolts around him.
* The ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' series has the Storm Puff, a buyable item/spell that Shantae uses to summon a small, floating thundercloud that zaps enemies under it after some delay.
* In ''Videogame/{{Destiny}}'', "Arc" is a form of Light that can be wielded by Guardians, taking on the form of lightning. The lore indicates that Arc Light is not so much electricity as it is a form of magic that manipulates the materials and forces making up atoms, which is expressed destructively in the form of lightning.
* ''VideoGame/{{Evolve}}'' gives us the Kraken, which can zap anything that gets too close or summon devastating lightning strikes at a distance.
* Hit someone hard with a Mishima character (Jinpachi, Heihachi, Kazuya, Jin/Devil Jin, or Lars) in ''VideoGame/{{Tekken}}'' and you'll see an aura of lightning around their limb. This doesn't actually do any electrical damage, however (although Lars has some attacks that seem to produce an actual current, though to what extent is unknown).
* ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'': In Version 1.7, Iji projects electricity out of her hand when she attempts to crack or activate technology. But, it isn't an attack by itself.
* Grohk the Lighting Orc from ''VideoGame/{{Paladins}}'' is a weird blue orc shaman who shoots beams and balls of lightning from his staff, with his ultimate calling down a small storm that zaps enemies and heals allies.
* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'':
** Throughout the series, Shock-based attacks are one of the primary forms of the Destruction school of magic, rounding out the FireIceLightning trio. While it varies depending on the game, ranged shock spells sometimes strike instantly and sometimes drain Magicka in addition to damaging health.
** Storm Atronachs are a form of unaligned [[OurDemonsAreDifferent lesser Daedra]] who are essentially the ElementalEmbodiment of Shock magic. They appear throughout the series, typically being immune to Shock damage while dishing out powerful Shock spells of their own.
** Aurorans are another form of lesser Daedra, associated with the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Daedric Prince]] [[FallenAngel Meridia]]. They are "infused" with lightning magic, which allows them cast Shock spells while also resisting them.
** Spider Daedra, as [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin their name might imply]], are a SpiderPeople form of lesser Daedra. They are {{Magic Knight}}s equally formidable in melee combat as well as when casting spells. They are known to favor various shock spells, in addition to [[PoisonousPerson poison]] spells.
** Dreugh, a semi-intelligent race of [[FishPeople aquatic humanoid octopi]], undergo a process known as "karvinasim" where, for about one year of their lives, they transform into an unintelligent land-based creature in order to breed. These Land Dreughs come with a natural shock-powered melee attack.
** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', Daedroths, a [[NeverSmileAtACrocodile crocodilian]] form of lesser Daedra, are capable of using Shock spells. [[CharacterizationMarchesOn Later appearances]] would drop this trait and replace it with PlayingWithFire, either giving them the ability to cast {{Fireballs}} or [[BreathWeapon breathe fire]].
* The Aranea and Wurm enemies from ''VideoGame/{{Sundered}}'' both use electricity to attack the player character. Araneas envelop themselves in electricity before charging at you, while Wurms leap out of the ground and release an electrical discharge upon landing. [[BossInMookClothing Lith’ Wurms]] also generate a constant electrical halo around their heads, making it dangerous to attack them head-on.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Dungeons}} II'', one of the earliest spells the Horde can research is Lightning Bolt, useful to fry troublesome intruders to ashes. After further research, you can deploy electrical traps that shocks any intruder who goes too near.
* Square from ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfSquare'' can use a defibrillator as melee weapon. It deals hefty damage to enemies, and [[BlownAcrossTheRoom knocks them away]]. Using it in underwater is [[SchmuckBait probably not a good idea]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'': While lightning isn't classified as a separate element from normal energy damage, several electrical weapons do exist throughout the games:
** ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' adds the Tesla Cannon in it's Broken Steel DLC. It will kill a [[FutureCopter Vertibird]] in one hit, and is arguably the game's InfinityPlusOneSword.
** ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas's Old World Blues DLC has the Laser Assisted Electrical Rifle, and a prototype Tesla Cannon.
** ''VideoGame/Fallout4'':
*** The Automatron DLC adds the Tesla Rifle, which has the ChainLightning effect. Automatron robots can also have alightning gun as an arm weapon. The Tesla Cannon returns in the [[BribingYourWaytoVictory Creation Club]], and is game-breakingly powerful.
*** Many melee weapons have an upgrade that adds electrical damage.
*** The game gives the player the ability to mod power armor to deal electric damage to nearby enemies, as well as to add bonus electrical damage to the player's punches.
** The Medic model of Protectron uses its [[MagicalDefibrillator defibrillator pads]] in combat.
* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'': Electricity is one of the four base elemental types, and has a chance to stun and arc to nearby enemies. Any weapon can be modded to deal electricity damage, many guns come with it by default, and the warframe Volt uses it almost exclusively.
* As a staple of ''Franchise/StarWars'' canon, the Force Lightning power is naturally available in the ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga''. In ''VideoGame/JediOutcast'' and ''VideoGame/JediAcademy'', it's a MagikarpPower--at Level 1 you can only project a single low-damage bolt, but at Level 3 you can swiftly clear entire rooms of Stormtroopers with a sustained blast of electric death.
* ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'': This MOBA features several real life thunder gods as playable characters (note that all [=PC=]s are a mythological character of some sort), such as Zeus (who also doubles as Jupiter), Thor, Chaac, and Raijin. Susano is a general storm god, but in-game has no moves that utilize this trope. It's only referenced in a machinima and the splash art for his Scarlet Storm skin. More [[ArtisticLicenseReligion creatively]], Ratatoskr has a move that wreathes him in lightning and his acorns also surge with it; he has no association with this trope in the [[Myth/NorseMythology source material]].
* ''Videogame/PhantasyStarOnline'' has the Zonde spell line which is one of the more useful spell lines. (Though ElementalRockPaperScissors is very important in this game.)
* ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2'' also has the zonde spell line with more spells included. Despite ElementalRockPaperScissors being largely downplayed compared to it's predecessor it's generally considered less useful compared to putting class points into [[PlayingWithFire the Foie spell line]].
* In ''VideoGame/SekiroShadowsDieTwice'', this ability is generally associated with beings from the Fountainhead Palace and the Divine Realm. It can be countered by leaping into the air before the lightning strikes you and redirecting it at an enemy before you land.
** Wolf's first encounter with lightning attacks is atop Ashina Castle, when [[spoiler:Lord Genichiro]] [[TheCoatsAreOff sheds his armor]] to wield the Lightning of [[spoiler:Tomoe]], which he channels through both his sword and his bow. It's later revealed that he learned this technique from [[spoiler:Tomoe herself]], who came to Ashina from the Divine Realm.
** The final boss of the non-Shura endings, [[spoiler:Sword Saint Isshin]], will channel lightning through his spear in his final phase.
** Several of the Okami Warriors guarding Fountainhead Palace (specifically, the ones dressed in purple and wearing a black cap) can channel lightning through their weapons, whether it be sword, naginata, or ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemari kemari]]'' ball. One of their leaders, Shizu, is particularly deadly with her lightning balls, to the point where the Great Lake is straight-up impassable until you kill her, as her vantage point atop a giant sakura tree allows her to strike you down no matter ''where'' you are in the lake, even if you're underwater and on the other side of the map. If that's not enough, the dogs residing in and around the palace can also shoot lightning.
** The only way to defeat [[spoiler:the [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Divine Dragon]]]] is to grapple to a root that's being hit by lightning so you can redirect the electricity towards it.
* In the ''{{VideoGame/Grow}}'' games:
** The King from ''Grow RPG'' have electricity powers and use them on a dragon.
** The kid in ''Grow Cannon'' can find a thunder staff in a chest.
* ''VideoGame/MikeShadowIPaidForIt'': Lightning attacks. Lv.1 is a large thunder summoned from the sky. Lv.2 connects the machine to a ginormous shockwave with Mike's punch. Lv.3 summons a thunderstorm that electrifies him and makes him strike the machine like a humongous thunderbolt.

* ''VideoGame/DistortedTravesty 3's'' first major boss starts with a few stray bolts to supplement her fireballs, and quickly ramps up to calling down more lightning then [[https://youtu.be/DlOV0u2Fd9Q?t=1m22s should be considered fair in a platformer.]]
* ''VideoGame/{{Killzone}} 2'' gives us the [=VC5=] Arc Rifle, a modified welding tool that shoots giant arcs of lightning at things. It can only be found in the single player campaign, during a single level. It requires no ammunition and, instead, [[AbnormalAmmo draws charge from the surrounding air]] via a special ore.
* ''VideoGame/OdinSphere'': Cornelius can use Lightning Attacks in the remake.
* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' has Gekigami, a Celestial God is a celestial tiger who [[ImprobableWeaponUser fires arrows with a back-mounted bow and his tail]].

* Raidy in ''Lightning Warrior Raidy'' has this as her signature attack.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'':
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' features Fortune, who has a rail gun that in addition to flinging chunks of metal at insane speeds also has a tendency to let off arcs of electricity from the rails.
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'' has Colonel Volgin, who can generate static electricity through his body and channels it through held rounds of ammunition. He can also launch said ammunition like a rail gun.
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker'' has [[PlayerCharacter Snake]] use an electric stun rod for incapacitating enemies.
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' allows you to equip a prosthetic arm that shoots lightning. In its base form it functions just like the the stun rod from ''Peace Walker''. Upgrade it to Grade 4, and you gain a ChargedAttack that allows you to '''call down lightning from the sky and knock out every enemy around your position, even through buildings no less'''. (It's been nerfed down somewhat however, thus you need to make sure you "center yourself" right as you act as the "eye of the storm", thunderstrom that is)
* ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' has the Gauntlets of the Necromancer. And, if the Tome of Power is used, the electrified staff.
* The Jupiter class of adepts in ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' use meteorological phenomenon such as lightning to attack, and indeed, lightning is some of their most powerful attacks. Jupiter lighthouse also features lightning puzzles.
* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' has the Tesla Claw in the first and second games, the Tesla Barrier and Plasma Coil in the second and third, the Spitting Hydra in the third, and shock mods from the second game on. Both UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 entries feature the Lightning Ravager/Shockwave Ravager, a lightning {{whip|ItGood}}!
* The ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games tend to have a lightning attack as a spell.
** [[TheDragon Golbez]] from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIV'' has the ability to shoot lightning out of his hands
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' had the Blast Gun, a member of a trio of strangely named elemental-magic guns (the others were the Blaze Gun and Glacier Gun, which did exactly the opposite of what you would expect).
** In the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games, lightning also tends to be the most powerful element. An example would be the Blast Gun, the most powerful one of the three, and the Thunder Spell in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI''. Byakko's Haidate (the most powerful leg piece in the game) is lightning-aligned and gives a healthy chunk of resistance against electric attacks.
** Also, there's the summons Ramuh, Ixion, [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Quezacotl]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII Adramellech]], and one incarnation of [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII Odin]]. Ramuh's the one member of the PowerTrio of summons most likely to be replaced.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyII'''s guest party member Leila starts out with a Thunder spell, which is more than most of your other guest party members, barring Minwu. The first time you fight the BigBad, TheEmperor, he will use Thunder spells almost to the point of exclusivity.
** As you [[MeaningfulName might expect from her nickname]], [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII Lightning]] uses the Thunder series of spells a little bit more than the others - she starts with Thunder, learns Thundaga, and has Odin (who is Lightning-based in that game) as her Eidolon.
** Raijin, a RecurringBoss in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', named after the Japanese God of Thunder. Appropriately, he's partnered with [[BlowYouAway Fujin]] (God of Wind).
* ''VideoGame/TreasureOfTheRudra'' had this, which had a side effect of confusion if a certain Lightning Mantra was used.
* In ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', all Flying-type characters had the Thunder Shoot ability.
* The various Lighting Wave Cannons in ''VideoGame/RType'' count, and oddly, the series includes a Tesla weapon, Hyper Tesla Pile Bunker, which ''doesn't'' produce lightning.
* ''VideoGame/{{Quake}}'' had the [[LightningGun Thunderbolt]]. It could not could not be used underwater without killing yourself and everyone around you.
* In the ''VideoGame/DestroyAllHumans!'' games, Crypto's basic sidearm is a LightningGun [[EmergencyWeapon that doesn't need ammunition]].
* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'':
** ''VideoGame/SuperMetroid'': Samus can shoot open the turrets mounted on Draygon's boss room, leaving an electrified open socket. If Samus then allows herself to be grabbed by Draygon, she can electrocute him by latching on to the exposed wiring with the Grapple Beam. This damages Samus slightly but defeats Draygon much more quickly than she would with any of her other weaponry.
** Samus's Wave Beam combo in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' and Grapple Voltage in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption''.
* Lightning is the element produced from the [[WeirdMoon Yellow Moon]] in ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'', and its spells can also sap power from opponents. [[TheWisePrince Enrique]], the prince of Valua (where the Yellow Moon orbits over - also, the Yellow Moon causes fierce thunderstorms to strike Valua most of the time), learns lighting spells faster than the other party members. The Valuan admirals that you fight also know most of the lightning spells. [[TheHero Vyse]] learns [[PlayingWithFire red spells]] the fastest, but his higher level killer moves have a strong lightning theme.
* Soviet Tesla Coils in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert''.
** Add-on pack ''RedAlert: Aftermath'' adds Tesla Tanks and Shock Troopers, who respond to you in Arnie-style zingers, including "''Shock''ing! Hahaha!"
** Tesla technology proved so popular with fans that the sequel ''Red Alert 2'' used it a lot, including newer versions of the above and Tesla Bombs for the Kirov Airship. In one mission, the Soviets even turn the ''[[RuleOfCool Eiffel Tower]]'' into a supersized Tesla Coil and lay waste to Paris in order to terrorize the European allies.
** ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'' has taken this to its logical conclusion by having Tesla ''everything''. That's [[PoweredArmor Tesla Troopers]], [[CoolTank Tesla Tanks]], [[CoolBoat Stingrays]]...even the ''Japanese'' have a Tesla Mecha...''a really huge one'' at that. The terror drone now has a Tesla secondary fire for disabling vehicles while the Tesla Troopers got an upgrade, switching their Tesla cannons into EMP mode and disabling nearby vehicles.
* The Tesla guns from ''VideoGame/ReturnToCastleWolfenstein''.
* ''Unreal Tournament 2003'' and ''VideoGame/UnrealTournament2004'' have a more powerful version of the sniper rifle--the LightningGun. Despite the name, it's a fictional version of the Electrolaser. In exchange for being more powerful, it gives away your position. It also, if you land a headshot, [[IncendiaryExponent sets the victim's neck stump on fire]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Painkiller}}'' has a gun that [[RuleOfCool fires shurikens and lightning.]] [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] was impressed.
* ''Franchise/StreetFighter'':
** Blanka and Necro can both generate electricity. And in later games in the series, Ryu has the Denjin Hadoken, which is an electric version of the Hadoken.
** Urien, whose elements are earth and lightning. His two Super Arts, Temporal Thunder and Aegis Reflector, are lightning-based.
** [[FieryRedhead Crimson Viper]] wears gloves which allow her to [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman electrocute her enemies whenever she punches them.]]

* ''Franchise/MortalKombat''
** Raiden is the God of Thunder and Lightning and thus his attacks revolve around electricity.
** Also, although his powers over [[MakingASplash water]] have been emphasized in some installments, Rain has always had the ability to call down lightning from above.
** [[MagicalNativeAmerican Nightwolf]] can call down lightning from the sky to either strike his enemies or augment his weapons.
** Takeda's {{WhipSword}}s can channel an electrical current through them for extra damage.
* In the ''VideoGame/BioShock'' Franchise:
** The Electro Bolt ability in ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'' and ''VideoGame/BioShock2'', which is the first ability you learn in both games. Doesn't tend to kill but stuns the enemy (and can do high bonus damage if shot in water while an enemy's in it). Upgraded versions in ''VideoGame/BioShock2'' include ChainLightning and a continuous damaging arc of Tesla's delight.
** In ''VideoGame/{{BioShock|1}}'', the chemical launcher can shoot electric gel, and the shotgun can shoot electric shells. In ''VideoGame/BioShock2'', the final upgrade for the shotgun gives its normal shots a chance to shock the enemy.
** In ''VideoGame/BioShockInfinite'', Shock Jockey is the Columbia equivalent of Electro Bolt, expanded to be able to create lightning-making crystals.

* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
** Luigi gets to generate electricity in his hands as his specific power in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga''. The power returns in Mario Strikers Charged Football, where he can pull lightning from storm clouds.
** Wario uses it pretty often in the spin-off games. [[VideoGame/MarioTennis Mario Power Tennis]] implies that he [[MagicFromTechnology uses a special machine]] to do it.
** From ''VideoGame/WarioLand Shake It'', the Shake King has the ability to do this, shooting lightning bolts in an attempt to fry Wario (as well as just shooting giant laser beams and energy balls in general).
* The Zap spell in a number of ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' games. Probably the rarest element, as TheHero is usually the only playable character that gets it. Monsters that use it are to be feared as unlike other spells they deal full damage with it, and it's rare for equipment to grant resistance to this element.

* Victor von Gerdenheim of the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' series is a FrankensteinsMonster whose body produces massive amounts of electricity, more than even a bolt of lightning. If you hold down any of his attack buttons, the attack will be charged with electricity.

* The indie game ''VideoGame/{{Shadowgrounds}}'' has a LightningGun as your final weapon. You can upgrade it to have more bolts and give it a slowly recharging ammo supply. The alt-fire shoots a REALLY powerful blast of electricity.
* Arc Charger in ''VideoGame/{{Resistance}}: Fall of Man''.
* The ''Xenophobe'' arcade game had a Lightning Rifle.
* Galford D. Weiler in ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' is a lightning user, while Kafuin Nocotin is both a lightning and a [[PlayingWithFire fire]] user.
* In the ''VideoGame/TalesSeries'':
** A [[RecurringElement recurring powerful attack]] is "Indignation," generally reserved as a charater's [[LimitBreak ultimate attack]]; the move is a bolt of lightning called down from the heavens. While it generally only lands one hit, that one hit is extremely powerful. It even uses [[CallingYourAttacks a similar incantation every time]].[[note]]"I, who stand in the full light of the heavens, command thee, who opens the gates of Hell! Come forth, divine lightning! This ends now! ''Indignation!''"[[/note]]
** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny'', although more specializing in multiple elements, Philia Felice's Swordian Clemente is designed as the 'Lightning Swordian'.
** Shing Meteoryte of ''VideoGame/TalesOfHearts'' is technically [[LightEmUp Light-tilted]], but a lot of his techs that deal light damage have "lightning" in the name somewhere and/or create waves and bolts of lightning. The exceptions have "star" in the name instead. Spark Web is also one of the Light spells, and the favored move of a late-game Light monster. Lightning is apparently a subset of Light here.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' has the Super Lightning blade as a weapon, while two of the game's boss fights - [[RebelLeader Yuan]] and Kvar - use the lightning element exclusively. Although Colette prominently uses [[HolyHandGrenade Angel-aligned powers]], she also uses plenty of lightning-based powers as well, such as Para Ball, Torrential Para Ball, and Grand Chariot.
* Saki Tsuzura of ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart'' has Bhanri, Arcana of Lightning, as the default Arcana.
* Benimaru Nikaido of ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''. And from one of the series it derived from, Kim Dong Hwan of ''[[VideoGame/FatalFury Garou: Mark of the Wolves]]''.
* Ky Kiske of ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'' [[CallingYourAttacks rides the lightning]]. His half-Gear son Sin in ''Overture'' has similar powers [[OedipusComplex though he refuses to acknowledge that he has anything in common with Ky]].
* ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'':
** The franchise in general has the Zio family of lightning spells, plus some thunder-based physical attacks, weapons, and the high level spells Thunder Gods and Thunder Reign (the latter particularly noticeable as the signature move of Thor in the ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' sub-series). Curiously enough, the Heroine of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTensei'', Hiroko and Beth of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'', and Isabeau of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' all have Zio spells.
** ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':
*** Akihiko Sanada in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 3}}'' has an Emperor Arcana Persona that specializes in Lightning. Later, you get Ken Amada, a Justice character who can use Lightning and {{Light|EmUp}}.
*** Kanji Tatsumi in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}'' is more of a physical person, but most of his magic is Lightning based. Like Akihiko, his Persona is also of the Emperor Arcana. The Player Character starts off with Izanagi, a Persona with electric attacks.
*** An unusually high amount of the ''Persona 4'' protagonist's high level Personas, such as Yoshitsune and Kohryu, learn more lightning spells than any other element, and his initial persona Izanagi has Zio right from the start. Although the main character can equip Personas of any elemental affinity, half of most players' final Persona lineups will have Ziodyne.
*** Ryuji Sakamoto in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 5}}'' serves as the team's lightning user, but his low Magic stat means he'll generally favour using his hard-hitting physical attacks instead, much like Kanji.
** Cielo and Roland in ''VideoGame/DigitalDevilSaga''.
* ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'':
** Far Seers have Chain Lightning spells.
** Naga sea witches (neutral heroes from ''The Frozen Throne''), Lady Vashj in the Blood Elves campaign.
** And the shaman class in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''. Especially when specialized in [[ElementalPowers elemental combat]].
** Some raid bosses have lightning abilities, Lady Vashj from Serpentshrine Cavern and Akil'Zon from Zul'Aman, to name a few.
** Druids get the Hurricane spell, but that's the only one for them that has lightning.
** Hunters have two pets with lightning-based racial attacks: Wind Serpents and Chimaeras (paired with Frost in the Chimaera's case).
* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'':
** Iku Nagae in the spinoff fighting game ''Scarlet Weather Rhapsody'' uses lots and lots of lightning attacks.
** Soga no Tojiko from ''Ten Desires'' shoots "thunder arrows" in her MidBoss fight. [[UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}} Mononobe no Futo]] from the same game uses the same arrows as part of one of her spellcards.
* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' has a variety of electric power sets, including ranged attacks, melee attacks, armor, crowd control (which included a pet made of electricity), and support (as part of a weather control set) among its many StockSuperpowers. At higher levels, all characters from any class could optionally learn electric attacks via various tertiary power sets. In addition, the Mu enemy group used red lightning exclusively.
* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' downgrades this to a single Electricity power set, mostly ranged attacks plus a couple of electric fields.
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
** Electric Pokemon, on the whole, tend to favor high Special Attack and Speed stats, making them great for Special Sweeping in competitive play. Pure Electric-types only have Ground attacks as a weakness, but Ground attacks are so ubiquitous that it keeps it from being a total [[GameBreaker gamebreaking typing.]] The notable exception of electricity-wielding Electric Pokemon is Voltorb/Electrode. Despite being Electric-type, it did not learn any Electric-type attacks naturally until Gen III...at which point it was presented with 2, one of which was a mere stat-boosting move.
** Pikachu, the series' mascot, is an Electric-type. Every successive generation has introduced another Electric-type rodent as well.
** The Gym Leaders Lt. Surge of Kanto, Wattson of Hoenn, Volkner of Sinnoh, Elesa of Unova, and Clement of Kalos as well as Trial Captain Sophocles all specialize in Electric-type Pokémon. As is usual for this trope, most of them have blond hair, and they tend to be engineers.
** A handful of Legendary Pokémon are Electric-Type: Zapdos from Gen I, Raikou from Gen II, Zekrom and Thundurus from Gen V, and Tapu Koko and Zeraora from Gen VII.

* ''VideoGame/EscapeVelocity: Nova'':
** The [[WaveMotionGun Triphammer]], which proves that [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill entirely too much firepower]] will [[RecycledInSpace never, ever]] go out of [[RuleOfCool style]].
** If the player takes the Vell-os path, your final [[PsychicPowers psychic "weave"]], Winter Tempest, is a DeflectorShields-piercing lightning bolt.
* ''VideoGame/SyphonFilter'' has the much beloved [[EmergencyWeapon Air Taser]], which sends electrical shocks down a long-ranged probe and into a poor {{Mook|s}}'s body [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential until they combust]].
* ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'':
** Crono, the main character, though his powers being "Lightning" are a change caused by [[CensorshipBureau Nintendo's "no religious references" policy]]--in Japanese, it was "Holy", but in the DS remake, this was partly reverted back to "Light".
** [[RobotBuddy Robo]] gets a massive shocking attack called Electrocute as his ultimate skill, which he can then [[CombinationAttack combine]] with Crono's lightning for an even more powerful attack called Super Shock.
** [[FinalBoss Lavos]] has an attack called Heavenly Tears that hits a single character with a massive lightning bolt. If their magic resistance is not up to par this will be a OneHitKill even if they have maxed-out HP.

* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':
** Borrowing from ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'''s magic system, [[FireIceLightning Thunder]] spells are available to the heroes and some enemies. It's one of the more useful ones, too, with good area damage.
** The AxCrazy Larxene from ''Chain of Memories'' specializes in lightning attacks.
* ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', as expected given the source material, allows you to shoot Force Lightning at people. Combining this with a stun power is great for wiping out rooms full of mooks...

* For a post-Old Republic ''Franchise/StarWars'' example, Starkiller from ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'' makes excessive use of Force Lightning, primarily because it's got a very useful stun effect.

* ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'':
** Plasma/Spark Kirby can generate electricity by moving around to use for attacking.
** The Beam ability allows Kirby to attack with a shocking {{whip|ItGood}}.
** There's also Kracko, a recurring boss who is a lightning cloud.
** In ''Kirby Star Allies,'' Zan Partizanne, the eldest of the Three Mage-Sisters, uses electric magic.

* In ''VideoGame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'', the titular Gunvolt possesses the coveted Azure Striker [[PsychicPowers Septima]], and his main method of attacking is to shoot lightning rods from his gun to tag enemies and then create a "Flashfield" of electricity that arcs towards them. This power can also heal his body, increase his attack and defense, activate machines, magnetize certain platforms and cause other reactions on things such as plant and buglife. Last but not least, Gunvolt can use special attacks that fill the screen with even more voltage than usual, such as floating spheres, lightning bolts, giant swords, and a swarm of chains. [[spoiler: The final boss mirrors nearly all of Gunvolt's abilities on account of being ''another'' Azure Striker. Yes, including [[SmartBomb that]].]]
* In ''VideoGame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf'', the titular Akatsuki and the Elektrosoldats wield lightning powers. So do, to a lesser degree, Adler and the BigBad Murakumo. [[spoiler: This is because of the [[MacGuffin Blitz Engines]] and probably some good ol' PlayingWithSyringes.]]
* Black Aura spells in ''VideoGame/ABlurredLine'' include two electrical attacks ([=PowerDrain=] and [=ShortCircuit=]), as well as the ability to control machines. The rest, though, is DarkIsEvil nastiness, like Infect, summoning a Final Lich or [=LifeForStrength=] (an ActionBomb attack where Talan dies to cause great damage.)
* In ''VideoGame/{{Dex}}'', there’s the electricity damage inflicted by certain weapons/attacks, and Dex can be augmented with Electrostatic Conductors to make her immune to electrical damage.
* There's the electrical damage type in ''VideoGame/MercenaryKings''. It can be applied to certain weapons you use, and there are a couple of enemies (like the memorable Electrocutioner) who specialise in electrical powers. Lastly, there are Yellow versions of Patrols, Guards and Shield Guards are electrical in nature and so are immune to it (as well as having much greater health than the regular versions), and similarly upgraded electrical version of Walker boss.

* The ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' series has the various Thunder-element monsters:
** From the first generation, there's the blind, serpentine Khezu and the Elder Dragon Kirin (the Oroshi subspecies, introduced in the fourth generation, is AnIcePerson instead).
** From the second generation, the horned ape Rajang and especially the variant Furious Rajang.
** Several monsters introduced in the third generation, such as the aquatic Leviathan Lagiacrus as well as its cousins Ivory Lagiacrus and Abyssal Lagiacrus, the wolf-like Zinogre (the subspecies Stygian Zinogre relies on the dark-themed Dragon element instead), and subspecies like Crimson Qurupeco and Baleful Gigginox (their respective normal counterparts rely on PlayingWithFire and PoisonousPerson instead). Lastly, Alatreon (an Elder Dragon) has electricity among its attack repertoire.
** The fourth generation has Astalos (a Flying Wyvern) and its Boltreaver deviant. It also introduces the deviant Thunderlord Zinogre.
** The fifth generation has Fulgur Anjanath, the first Brute Wyvern in the series to employ electricity.

* In ''VideoGame/EarthAndSky'', one of the powers Emily gains from her [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman skysuit]] is a directed lightning attack.
* ''VideoGame/FableI'': Lightning is the first spell the MagicKnight Hero learns, and it remains a SimpleYetAwesome option for the rest of the game -- not only does it have a {{Knockback}} effect, it can be trained to a higher {{Spell Level|s}} to deal extra damage and [[ChainLightning strike more targets]].

* Many classes in the ''VideoGame/EtrianOdyssey'' series have access to electricity-based skills, [[FireIceLightning often alongside fire and ice]]. There are also enemies and bosses that attack this way, such as the Volt Squirrels and Megavolt Marmots (enemies) in ''Beyond the Myth'', as well as the Bugbeast (boss; it also has ice attacks) in ''Nexus''.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout'': While lightning isn't classified as a separate element from normal energy damage, several electrical weapons do exist throughout the games:

* The electric-oriented Robot Master from ''Franchise/MegaMan'' series,
** The first game features Elec Man, who is the first electric-oriented Robot Master.
** Spark Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan3''
** Cloud Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan7''
** Even though [[AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance he doesn't look the part]], the Robot Master Clown Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan8'' can launch an "elastic" beam of electricity.
** Dynamo Man from ''VideoGame/MegaManAndBass''
** Plug Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan9''
** Sheep Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan10''
** Fuse Man from ''VideoGame/MegaMan11''

** The electric-oriented Mavericks like Spark Mandrill, Volt Catfish, Web Spider, Squid Adler, and a host of others in the ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' series.

** Throughout the series, Shock-based attacks are one of the primary forms of the Destruction school of magic, rounding out the FireIceLightning trio. While it varies depending on the game, ranged shock spells sometimes strike instantly (similar to a HitScan attack) and sometimes drain Magicka in addition to damaging health.

* Samus's Wave Beam combo in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime'' and Grapple Voltage in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption''.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': [[https://i.pinimg.com/474x/c7/f5/9b/c7f59be8bed8667f2b8633eae842a051.jpg Agahnim can summon lightning from his hands]]. However, it's easy to dodge, which is good since unlike his other attacks it can't be deflected, because he only fires it when standing in the northern part of the room and he doesn't turn to aim it at Link like he does with his other 2 attacks, so Link can just move to the side of the room when he starts charging an attack on the northern side of the room.

* ''Videogame/DevilMayCry'' has Trish, whose powers are greatly shown In Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and in [[VideoGame/DevilMayCry DMC 2]], Lucia and Dante have access to the lightining elemental heart. One of the bosses in ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3'' is a demon who fights with lightning and [[BatOutOfHell bats]]. After she is defeated, she becomes a Devil Arm that takes the shape of a [[MixAndMatchWeapon guitar scythe.]]

** The franchise in general has the Zio family of lightning spells, plus some thunder-based physical attacks, weapons, and the high level spells Thunder Gods and Thunder Reign (the latter particularly noticable as the signature move of Thor in the ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'' sub-series). Curiously enough, the Heroine of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTensei'', Hiroko and Beth of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII'', and Isabeau of ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIV'' all have Zio spells.
** ''[[Franchise/ShinMegamiTenseiPersona Persona]]'':

* Crono, the main character of ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', though his powers being "Lightning" are a change caused by [[CensorshipBureau Nintendo's "no religious references" policy]]--in Japanese, it was "Holy", but in the DS remake, this was partly reverted back to "Light".

* Raiden of ''Franchise/MortalKombat''. God of Lightning and all. Also, although his powers over [[MakingASplash water]] have been emphasized in some installments, Rain has always had the ability to call down lightning from above.

ShockAndAwe in video games.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout4'':
** The game gives the player the ability to mod power armor to deal electric damage to nearby enemies, as well as to add bonus electrical damage to the player's punches.

** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' features Fortune, who has a rail gun that in addition to flinging chunks of metal at insane speeds also has a tendency to let off arcs of electricity from the rails.

* In ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]'', there were Mjolnir and Gungnir. Mjolnir, named after Thor's hammer, looked more like a giant light bulb, but is apparently made out of lightning or something. It's the most powerful mace in the game and does damage over time.

* In ''Franchise/FireEmblem'', Thunder magic is pretty important. It tends to have the highest raw power of the three Elemental Magic types, relatively [[PowerfulButInaccurate low hit rates]], but much higher [[CriticalHit critical ratings]] (It should be noticed that the ''Lightning'' spell is associated with [[HolyHandGrenade light magic]] and is nothing like the lightning element).

** The fourth generation has Astalos (a Flying Wyvern) and its Boltreaver variant. It also introduces the deviant Thunderlord Zinogre.
** The fifth generation has Fulgur Anjanath, the first Brute Wyvern to employ this trope.

* ''VideoGame/Fallout4'' gives the player the ability to mod power armor to deal electric damage to nearby enemies, as well as to add bonus electrical damage to the player's punches.

** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'' allows you to equip a prosthetic arm that shoots lightning. In its base form it functions just like the the stun rod from ''Peace Walker''. Upgrade it, and you gain a ChargedAttack that allows you to ''call down lightning from the sky and knock out every enemy in sight''.