Shillelagh
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- Transmutation cantrip
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V, S, M (mistletoe)
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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 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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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 popularity
How popular is Shillelagh? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- #3 picked Druid cantrip
- Top 25% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% of all cantrips
Spells similar to Shillelagh
Hunter's Mark 1st-level divination
Although it targets an enemy, it similarly augments your weapon attacks by adding extra ongoing damage to each successful hit.
Players prefer Hunter's Mark over Shillelagh
Divine Favor 1st-level transmutation
Both are short-duration self-buffs that directly increase the damage of your weapon strikes using a spell effect rather than changing tactics.
Players prefer Divine Favor over Shillelagh
Elemental Weapon 3rd-level transmutation
It likewise transforms a held weapon by adding magical/elemental effects and boosting its damage, similar to how the target spell modifies attacks.
Players prefer Shillelagh over Elemental Weapon
Flame Blade 2nd-level evocation
This spell creates a melee-focused, concentration-based weapon that uses the caster to produce reliable contact damage in place of ordinary attacks.
Players prefer Shillelagh over Flame Blade
Magic Weapon 2nd-level transmutation
Both enchant a physical weapon to improve its combat performance for a duration, making a nonmagical armament more effective in melee.
Players prefer Shillelagh over Magic Weapon