Can You Use Shillelagh on a Quarterstaff? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, absolutely! The short answer is that you can indeed use the Shillelagh cantrip on a quarterstaff. This interaction is a staple for many druid players, and it’s a powerful combination that leverages the versatility of the quarterstaff. This article dives deep into the nuances of Shillelagh and its compatibility with the quarterstaff, along with addressing frequently asked questions about the spell and its uses.
Understanding Shillelagh and Quarterstaff
To understand why Shillelagh works with a quarterstaff, let’s break down the basics of both:
Shillelagh
Shillelagh is a cantrip available primarily to Druids in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It imbues a club or quarterstaff with nature’s magic. The key effect is transforming the weapon into a magically empowered tool. For the spell’s duration, the caster can use their spellcasting ability modifier (typically Wisdom for Druids) instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls. Critically, Shillelagh also changes the weapon’s damage die to a d8.
The spell’s core text reads: “The wood of a club or quarterstaff you are holding is imbued with nature’s power. For the duration, you can use your spellcasting ability instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using that weapon, and the weapon’s damage die becomes a d8.”
Quarterstaff
A quarterstaff is a versatile weapon that is simple to use and is often favored by monks, druids, and other characters who prefer a more traditional and less cumbersome weapon. It’s a long, wooden pole that can be wielded with one or two hands. Usually, a quarterstaff does 1d6 damage when used with one hand and 1d8 when used with two hands. However, Shillelagh overrides these normal damage dice.
The Interaction
The text of the Shillelagh spell makes it clear that it can be applied to a quarterstaff. This compatibility allows characters who rely on spellcasting ability rather than strength to be effective in melee combat. When Shillelagh is cast on a quarterstaff, it has the following effects:
- Damage Die Transformation: The damage die of the quarterstaff becomes a d8.
- Ability Score Swap: You use your spellcasting ability modifier (like Wisdom) for attack and damage rolls instead of your Strength modifier.
- Magical Imbuement: The quarterstaff is imbued with nature’s power for the spell’s duration (1 minute).
- Bonus Action: Shillelagh is cast as a bonus action.
This pairing is particularly useful for Druids and some other classes, allowing them to wield a relatively simple and accessible weapon effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shillelagh and Quarterstaff
To ensure you have all the information you need, here are 15 frequently asked questions about Shillelagh and quarterstaffs, addressing common queries and scenarios:
1. What weapons work with Shillelagh?
Shillelagh works with a club or quarterstaff. These are the only two weapons that the spell can target. It’s a very specific spell, limiting you to these particular weapon types.
2. Can you cast Shillelagh on other weapons?
No, the Shillelagh cantrip is specific to a club or quarterstaff. You cannot cast it on other weapons like swords, axes, or spears. This is a deliberate design choice that emphasizes the natural connection of druids and these more primitive weapon forms.
3. What classes can use Shillelagh?
The Shillelagh spell is primarily available to Druids. Bards can also acquire it through their Magical Secrets feature at higher levels. However, it’s a hallmark of the druid class, reinforcing their role as nature-aligned melee spellcasters.
4. Can you combine Shillelagh and Booming Blade?
Yes, you can absolutely combine Shillelagh with Booming Blade or any other cantrip that requires a melee weapon attack. Since Shillelagh doesn’t use the Attack action (it’s a bonus action cast), you’re free to use your Action for a spell that involves a weapon attack, like Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade. The order of casting does not matter. You could have a booming blade and then enhance your staff, or enhance it and then use the attack.
5. Can you combine Green Flame Blade and Shillelagh?
Yes, you can combine Green Flame Blade with Shillelagh. Both are cantrips that enhance a melee weapon attack. Shillelagh empowers the weapon itself, while Green Flame Blade adds extra fire damage and has secondary damage component.
6. Can you cast Shillelagh as an action?
No, Shillelagh has a casting time of 1 bonus action. You cannot cast it as an action. This restriction is important for balance, preventing a character from making multiple shillelagh-powered attacks in one turn. It does mean that the weapon does not get enchanted until the following turn.
7. Can a wizard use Shillelagh?
A wizard can learn Shillelagh if they take the Magic Initiate feat. However, when they cast Shillelagh, the spellcasting ability used is still Wisdom, not Intelligence, which is the Wizard’s spellcasting ability. Importantly, the spellcasting stat for attack and damage rolls remains Wisdom for Shillelagh, even for a wizard.
8. How much damage does Shillelagh do?
Shillelagh changes the weapon’s damage die to a d8. It does not add any further damage. If the quarterstaff is normally a 1d6 or 1d8, Shillelagh always changes it to 1d8. The important part of the damage is that you are now using your spellcasting modifier rather than your strength.
9. Can you cast Shillelagh twice?
You cannot have two instances of Shillelagh on the same weapon. The spell only lasts for one minute, and if you drop the weapon, you lose the spell effect. If you want to cast it again, you must spend another bonus action on it.
10. Can you cast Shillelagh with a shield?
No, you cannot cast Shillelagh while holding a shield. Shillelagh has a somatic component, meaning you need a free hand to cast it. Therefore, if you are holding a shield, you do not have the free hand required to cast the spell.
11. Can you dual wield quarterstaff?
Yes, the quarterstaff is a versatile weapon, meaning you can use it with one hand or two hands. Although not a typical choice, the rules do not prevent dual-wielding it. However, this is not advised as you do not receive the benefits of dual-wielding or of Shillelagh while dual-wielding.
12. Can a quarterstaff be finesse?
No, a quarterstaff is not a finesse weapon by default. It is a simple melee weapon that typically relies on Strength, but Shillelagh allows it to use your spellcasting ability instead.
13. Can a quarterstaff be a monk weapon?
Yes, the quarterstaff is a monk weapon. Monks are able to use flurry of blows with it or use Martial Arts attack. This compatibility is beneficial for those looking to combine melee capabilities with a monk’s unique abilities.
14. Does Shillelagh scale well?
Shillelagh does not scale directly with level; its damage die remains a d8. As such, it does not improve as other damage cantrips do. However, it remains useful as long as you want to use a melee weapon that has the casting modifier rather than strength.
15. Does divine strike work with Shillelagh?
Yes, Divine Strike works with Shillelagh because it modifies weapon attacks. Since Shillelagh uses a melee weapon attack, it can activate Divine Strike or Blessed Strikes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Shillelagh is an excellent cantrip to combine with the use of a quarterstaff. It allows spellcasters, especially Druids, to engage in melee combat effectively without relying on high Strength scores. By transforming the quarterstaff into a magical weapon, it becomes a viable choice for both damage and versatility on the battlefield. This is a popular choice for players of all backgrounds who enjoy having a melee option in the back pocket of their spell casting. This combination creates a powerful synergy that many players rely on.