Shatter

A
Damage

Shatter is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that bursts with deafening force, blasting
multiple creatures

Shatter is a Multi Target spell. Multi Target spells have an area of effect or can explicitly target multiple allies or enemies.

See all Multi Target spells →
 and fragile objects in a thunderous sphere.

2024 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a chip of mica)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard

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.

2014 Rules
Level & School
2nd-level evocation
Casting Time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a chip of mica)
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

A sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense, erupts from a point of your choice within range. Each creature in a 10-foot radius sphere centered on that point must make a Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.

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. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.

Shatter 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Shatter now gives disadvantage only to Constructs, instead of any creature made of inorganic material. Warlocks no longer have access to it.

Shatter popularity

Shatter is a commonly chosen level 2 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Shatter

  • Thunderwave 1st-level evocation

    Both are evocation bursts that deal thunder damage in an area and are chosen for immediate close-quarters crowd damage and battlefield disruption.

  • Burning Hands 1st-level evocation

    A low-level evocation that deals instant cone damage to multiple targets, making it a go-to option when you want an immediate area nuke at early levels.

  • Ice Knife 1st-level conjuration

    It delivers an initial attack that then explodes to damage nearby creatures, mirroring Shatter’s single-point burst that affects a small radius around a spot.

  • Fireball 3rd-level evocation

    Although higher level, it’s the archetypal point-and-explode evocation that deals a single, instantaneous save-for-half area hit like Shatter does on a larger scale.

  • Cloud of Daggers 2nd-level conjuration

    A short-range area-damage option that players use to deny space and force saves or repeated harm in a defined zone, similar to choosing where Shatter strikes.