Shatter
- Level: 2
- School: Evocation
- Class: Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: 60 feet
- Components: V, S, M (a chip of mica)
- Duration: Instantaneous
A loud noise erupts from a point of your choice within range. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered there makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 3d8 Thunder damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A Construct has Disadvantage on the save.
A nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 2.
Tactical Usage
Area Damage and Destruction. Shatter provides solid area damage with the added benefit of destroying nonmagical objects in the affected area.
Constitution Save Targeting. The spell targets Constitution saves, which are often strong but affects all creatures in the area simultaneously.
Construct Effectiveness. The disadvantage imposed on Constructs makes this spell particularly effective against mechanical enemies and animated objects.
Spell Combinations
Object Destruction Synergy. Combining with other destructive effects amplifies environmental damage and obstacle removal capabilities.
Thunder Damage Enhancement. Pairing with effects that exploit thunder vulnerability or enhance sonic damage increases overall effectiveness.
Area Control Support. Using alongside positioning magic helps optimize target placement within the damage radius.
Material Component Details
Mica Chip Symbolism. The mica represents brittleness and fracturing, symbolically connecting to the spell's shattering and destruction effects.
Common Material Access. Mica is readily available and inexpensive, making the spell accessible without resource management concerns.
Resonance Properties. The mica might be prepared to specific resonant frequencies that enhance the spell's destructive vibrations.
Creator Notes
Versatile Utility Damage. Shatter provides both combat damage and utility through object destruction, making it valuable in various encounter types.
Environmental Interaction. The spell enables creative problem-solving through strategic destruction of barriers, containers, or structural elements.
Thunder Damage Type. The sonic damage type offers unique tactical applications and interacts distinctively with various resistances and vulnerabilities.
Environmental Interactions
Object Destruction Capability. The spell damages nonmagical objects, enabling destruction of doors, containers, weapons, and structural elements.
Loud Noise Creation. The spell produces significant sound that might attract attention, trigger responses, or affect stealth operations.
Structural Damage. Repeated applications might damage buildings, walls, or other large structures through cumulative destruction.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Area Effect Mechanics. The 10-foot radius affects all creatures and objects within the sphere centered on the chosen point.
Constitution Save Results. Failed saves result in full damage, while successful saves reduce damage by half for all affected creatures.
Object Damage Application. Nonmagical objects take full damage regardless of save results, enabling reliable destruction.
Scaling Damage. Higher-level slots increase damage by 1d8 per level above 2nd, improving both creature and object damage.
Alternative Applications
Barrier Removal. Destroying locked doors, barred windows, or other obstacles that block progress or escape routes.
Container Opening. Breaking open locked chests, sealed containers, or protected storage without requiring lockpicking skills.
Noise Distraction. Creating loud sounds for distraction, signaling, or covering other activities requiring audio concealment.
Related Spells
Thunder Damage Alternatives. Thunderwave provides similar damage types with different area shapes and positioning requirements.
Destructive Magic. Various spells cause environmental damage, while Shatter focuses specifically on sonic destruction.
Evocation Damage. The spell represents classic evocation damage magic with added utility through object destruction.
Scaling Analysis
Solid Scaling Value. Shatter scales well with higher-level slots, maintaining competitive damage throughout character progression.
Utility Retention. The object destruction capability remains valuable regardless of level for environmental problem-solving.
Resource Efficiency. The spell provides good damage and utility value for a 2nd-level slot with reasonable component costs.
Narrative Flavor
Sonic Destruction. The spell should emphasize powerful sound waves that shatter objects and damage creatures through vibrational force.
Frequency Resonance. The effect might manifest as finding the perfect frequency to break target materials and overwhelm creature defenses.
Environmental Impact. The loud noise and destructive effects should create dramatic environmental consequences that emphasize the spell's power.