Shocking Grasp

Damage

Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

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).

Level & School
Evocation cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Sorcerer, Wizard

Lightning springs from your hand to deliver a shock to a creature you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack against the target. You have advantage on the attack roll if the target is wearing armor made of metal. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 lightning damage, and it can't take reactions until the start of its next turn.

Cantrip Upgrade. The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

Shocking Grasp 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Both versions have the same damage scaling at levels 5, 11, and 17. The 2024 version changes the effect to prevent Opportunity Attacks instead of reactions. No other significant mechanical differences are present.

Spells similar to Shocking Grasp

  • Inflict Wounds, 1st-level necromancy

    Like Shocking Grasp it is a touch-range spell that requires a melee spell attack and is chosen when you want a high-damage single-target strike up close.

  • Chill Touch, Necromancy cantrip

    This cantrip also targets at touch and deals necrotic damage as a simple offensive option for casters who want a reliable close-range hit.

  • Witch Bolt, 1st-level evocation

    Witch Bolt shares the lightning theme and is used when you want to lock onto a single target with a caster-focused, close/short-range attack.

  • Thorn Whip, Transmutation cantrip

    Thorn Whip is a melee-range cantrip that manipulates an enemy’s position, making it a comparable choice when you want aggressive close-quarters control and damage.

  • Vampiric Touch, 3rd-level necromancy

    This touch-based spell trades single-target damage for sustained effect and self-healing, so players pick it for prolonged up-close combat similar to Shocking Grasp’s melee focus.