What is the Shocking Grasp Cantrip?
Shocking Grasp is a melee spell attack cantrip available in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e). It manifests as a surge of lightning that emanates from the caster’s hand, delivering an electrical shock to a creature they touch. The primary purpose of Shocking Grasp is not solely to inflict damage, but also to disrupt an opponent’s actions by preventing them from taking reactions until the start of the caster’s next turn. This makes it a powerful tool for controlling the battlefield and setting up opportunities for allies. The cantrip’s effectiveness is further amplified when used against targets wearing metal armor, offering an advantage on the attack roll. In essence, Shocking Grasp is a versatile cantrip used to both damage and control the flow of combat, making it a valuable addition to the arsenal of many spellcasting classes.
Understanding the Mechanics of Shocking Grasp
The core mechanic of Shocking Grasp revolves around making a melee spell attack. This means that instead of using Strength or Dexterity for the attack roll, the caster uses their spellcasting ability modifier (e.g., Intelligence for Wizards, Charisma for Sorcerers) along with their proficiency bonus. This differs from typical weapon attacks, making the cantrip scale better with a spellcaster’s proficiency.
The Advantage in Metal Armor
A key feature of Shocking Grasp is the advantage on the attack roll if the target is wearing metal armor. This is a considerable benefit, as advantage effectively allows you to roll two d20s and take the higher result, significantly increasing the odds of hitting your target. This makes the cantrip a highly attractive option against foes that typically have higher armor classes.
The Reaction Prevention
Beyond the damage, Shocking Grasp prevents the targeted creature from taking reactions until the start of your next turn on a successful hit. This is incredibly useful for negating powerful defensive abilities or disrupting opponents that rely on reactions to make attacks of opportunity.
Damage Progression
The damage dealt by Shocking Grasp is 1d8 lightning damage upon a successful hit. This damage increases as the caster levels up, progressing to 2d8 at 5th level, 3d8 at 11th level, and 4d8 at 17th level. This scaling ensures that the cantrip remains effective throughout the course of a campaign.
How to Use Shocking Grasp Effectively
Shocking Grasp is a cantrip best utilized strategically, here are some examples.
Disarming and Disengaging
Use it to disrupt enemies that are trying to make an attack of opportunity as you disengage, allowing you and your allies to move freely across the battlefield.
Targeting Armored Foes
Prioritize using Shocking Grasp against opponents wearing metal armor to benefit from the advantage on the attack roll, maximizing your chance to hit and apply its effects.
Setting Up Allies
Hit an enemy with shocking grasp to prevent reactions, creating an opening for allies to move past them, get into flanking positions, or use abilities without fear of being punished by reactive attacks.
Combining with Other Spells
Shocking Grasp can be combined effectively with spells and abilities that are best delivered when an enemy cannot react. It is beneficial when followed by spells or abilities that require a clear path or open window to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Shocking Grasp
1. What is the attack bonus for Shocking Grasp?
Your attack bonus for Shocking Grasp is your spellcasting ability modifier + your proficiency bonus. This modifier is dependent on the class of your spellcaster (e.g. Wisdom for Clerics and Druids, Charisma for Bards, Warlocks and Sorcerers, Intelligence for Wizards).
2. Does Shocking Grasp have a range?
Shocking Grasp has a range of touch, meaning you must be in melee range of the target to use it.
3. Does Shocking Grasp add to weapon damage?
No, Shocking Grasp does not add lightning damage to weapon attacks. It is a spell that deals damage directly as a result of a melee spell attack. To add lightning damage to a weapon, you would need to use a spell like “Elemental Weapon.”
4. What is a melee spell attack?
A melee spell attack allows you to use your spellcasting modifier instead of your Strength or Dexterity for To-Hit calculations. Unlike ranged attacks, a melee spell attack does not impose disadvantage for attacking in melee range.
5. Can you use Extra Attack with Shocking Grasp?
No. Extra Attack is an ability that only works with the Attack action, while Shocking Grasp uses the “Cast a Spell” action. You can only use Extra Attack to make multiple weapon attacks, not to cast spells.
6. Can you use Absorb Elements to reduce damage from Shocking Grasp?
Yes, you can use Absorb Elements to reduce damage from Shocking Grasp. You must cast it before taking damage from the spell because you cannot take damage, and then halve the damage once it has been taken. The reaction prevention effect of shocking grasp has no bearing on your ability to use absorb elements.
7. What is the purpose of the Ring of Shocking Grasp?
The Ring of Shocking Grasp is a magical item that grants a similar effect as the spell, likely allowing the wearer to use the effect a limited number of times. The specifics of the effect vary greatly depending on the version of the ring or the source it is found in.
8. Is Shocking Grasp worth it?
Yes, Shocking Grasp is a highly valuable cantrip. Its ability to prevent reactions, especially when combined with the advantage against metal-armored enemies, makes it a tactical tool for controlling the battlefield and creating openings for yourself and allies.
9. Can a creature make a saving throw against Shocking Grasp?
No, there is no saving throw associated with Shocking Grasp. The attack roll determines whether the spell lands and applies the damage and reaction-preventing effect.
10. How does Shocking Grasp interact with a creature that is made of metal?
The spell’s description has slightly varied between different sources, however the intention is that you gain advantage on the attack roll when a target is wearing or is made of metal.
11. What happens if a creature is both wearing metal armor and has a metal body?
You only gain one instance of advantage on the attack roll. Having multiple sources of advantage does not improve the effect.
12. Does Shocking Grasp have a casting time?
Yes, Shocking Grasp has a casting time of 1 action. This means it requires one of your actions to cast it during your turn.
13. What are some classes that benefit from Shocking Grasp?
Classes that frequently use melee attacks and have a spellcasting modifier that supports spell attacks, like Sorcerers, Wizards, Artificers, and Eldritch Knight Fighters tend to benefit greatly from using Shocking Grasp.
14. What happens if the target of Shocking Grasp is an ally?
If you use shocking grasp on an ally, you still need to make an attack roll, but the damage and inability to react will affect your ally. It is best to avoid using this spell on friendly characters.
15. How does Shocking Grasp compare to other cantrips?
Shocking Grasp has a unique utility that sets it apart from other damaging cantrips. Its ability to prevent reactions is a highly desirable effect, making it valuable in situations where other cantrips might simply provide more damage. While other spells might do more damage, Shocking Grasp is a worthwhile addition to a spellcasters list due to its unique secondary effect.