Shocking Grasp
- Level: Cantrip
- School: Evocation
- Class: Sorcerer, Wizard
- Casting Time: Action
- Range: Touch
- Components: V, S
- Duration: Instantaneous
Lightning springs from you to a creature that you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 Lightning damage, and it can't make Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn.
Cantrip Upgrade. The damage increases by 1d8 when you reach levels 5 (2d8), 11 (3d8), and 17 (4d8).
Tactical Usage
Touch Attack with Control. Shocking Grasp provides reliable lightning damage plus opportunity attack prevention, making it excellent for spellcaster disengagement.
Anti-Opportunity Attack. The spell prevents target opportunity attacks until their next turn, enabling safe movement away from melee enemies.
Excellent Scaling Potential. The cantrip scales from 1d8 to 4d8 damage while maintaining the tactical control benefits throughout progression.
Spell Combinations
Mobility Enhancement. Combining with movement spells or abilities maximizes the value of opportunity attack prevention.
Lightning Damage Synergy. Pairing with other lightning effects or abilities that exploit electrical vulnerability amplifies damage potential.
Hit-and-Run Tactics. Using alongside positioning magic enables effective spellcaster melee engagement with safe withdrawal options.
Material Component Details
Component-Free Advantage. Shocking Grasp requires only verbal and somatic components, making it consistently available without material constraints.
Touch Range Requirement. The spell requires melee range engagement, creating risk-reward decisions for fragile spellcasters.
Electric Manifestation. The somatic components channel electrical energy through the caster's touch for direct lightning transmission.
Creator Notes
Spellcaster Escape Tool. Shocking Grasp provides essential tactical options for spellcasters caught in melee combat situations.
Touch Attack Mechanics. The spell uses melee spell attacks, benefiting from different modifiers and interactions than ranged attacks.
Control Element. The opportunity attack prevention provides valuable battlefield control beyond simple damage output.
Environmental Interactions
Electrical Conductivity. The lightning damage might interact with metal objects, water, or other conductive materials in the environment.
Thunder Immunity Bypass. The lightning damage type offers different tactical applications than thunder damage in various encounters.
Contact Transmission. The spell requires physical contact, potentially affecting targeting in crowded or complex battlefield situations.
Common Rulings & Clarifications
Melee Spell Attack. The spell uses melee spell attack rolls, applying spellcasting modifier and proficiency bonus.
Opportunity Attack Prevention. The target cannot make opportunity attacks until the start of their next turn, enabling safe movement.
Touch Range Limitation. The spell requires the caster to be adjacent to targets, creating positioning requirements and risks.
Damage Scaling. The cantrip improves damage at specific levels, reaching 4d8 at 17th level for substantial impact.
Alternative Applications
Disabling Electronics. In appropriate settings, the electrical discharge might interfere with magical or mechanical devices.
Intimidation Display. The visible lightning effect creates impressive demonstrations of magical power during social encounters.
Anti-Metal Tactics. The electrical damage might be particularly effective against heavily armored opponents wearing metal equipment.
Related Spells
Touch Attack Alternatives. Various touch spells provide different effects, while Shocking Grasp combines damage with tactical control.
Lightning Magic Progression. The spell leads to more powerful lightning effects like Lightning Bolt with different ranges and areas.
Cantrip Damage Options. Other damage cantrips provide different tactical applications, while Shocking Grasp offers unique mobility benefits.
Scaling Analysis
Consistent Control Value. Shocking Grasp maintains tactical utility throughout character progression through opportunity attack prevention.
Competitive Damage. The 4d8 damage at high levels keeps the cantrip competitive with weapon attacks while providing unique benefits.
Touch Range Balance. The melee requirement balances the spell's power with positional risk appropriate for spellcaster capabilities.
Narrative Flavor
Electrical Discharge. The spell should emphasize crackling lightning that jumps from caster to target through direct contact.
Stunning Effect. The opportunity attack prevention should reflect electrical shock that temporarily disrupts the target's reflexes and reactions.
Arcane Lightning. The effect should feel distinctly magical rather than natural, representing controlled electrical energy through spellcasting.