Shocking Grasp

A
Damage

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

See all Damage spells →
 spell that sends crackling lightning through a touch, jolting a foe and stopping its opportunity attacks.

2024 Rules
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).

2014 Rules
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

It no longer gives advantage against targets wearing metal armor. Its rider is also narrower: instead of stopping all reactions, it only stops the target from making Opportunity Attacks until the start of its next turn.

Shocking Grasp popularity

Shocking Grasp is a commonly chosen cantrip. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

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.