Shillelagh

A
Damage

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

See all Damage spells →
spell that infuses a club or quarterstaff with nature’s power, letting you strike harder with your spellcasting ability.

2024 Rules

Level & School
Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Self
Components
V, S, M (mistletoe)
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Druid

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. If the attack deals damage, it can be Force damage or the weapon's normal damage type (your choice).

The spell ends early if you cast it again or if you let go of the weapon.

Cantrip Upgrade. The weapon's damage die changes when you reach levels 5 (d10), 11 (d12), and 17 (2d6).

2014 Rules

Level & School
Transmutation cantrip
Casting Time
Bonus action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (mistletoe, a shamrock leaf, and a club or quarterstaff)
Duration
1 minute
Classes
Druid

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. The weapon also becomes magical, if it isn't already. The spell ends if you cast it again or if you let go of the weapon.

Shillelagh 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Shillelagh now has Self range instead of Touch, can deal Force damage or the weapon’s normal damage type on a hit, and it gained cantrip scaling: the weapon die becomes d10 at 5th, d12 at 11th, and 2d6 at 17th level.

Shillelagh popularity

How popular is Shillelagh? It is a commonly found spell in the game, but is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may be situational for many spellbooks.

Spells similar to Shillelagh