The only real downside to the Shillelagh cantrip is that it doesn’t scale at higher levels. That should be more than enough time in most situations. Especially at low levels when your party likely hasn’t acquired magical weapons yet, monsters that resist nonmagical damage (like ghosts or lycanthropes) can be particularly dangerous.īecause it only takes a bonus action to cast and lasts for a minute, you get 10 rounds of this buff. Strength isn’t such a priority for most Druids, though, so being able to use your Wisdom modifier on attacks and damage is incredibly helpful.Īdditionally, as a major “pro” for this humble cantrip, your weapon becomes magical for the duration. You might be out of Wild Shape uses, don’t want to burn a big spell on a weak enemy, or are playing a Druid subclass that relies on you being up in the enemies’ faces. There will almost certainly be situations in your game where you will need to attack with your weapon. That’s exactly where Shillelagh comes in handy if you find yourself needing to deliver some swift bonks to your enemies’ heads in a manner that would make Rafiki from the Lion King proud.Īttacking with Shillelagh, your rolls would now look like this:ġd20 + Wisdom Modifier + Proficiency Bonusġd8 + Wisdom Modifier Why Use Shillelagh in 5e? (Pros vs Cons) Without Shillelagh, attacking with your club or quarterstaff would look like:ġd20 + Strength Modifier + Proficiency BonusĪs a Druid, I’d be willing to bet that your Wisdom score is higher than your Strength score. As a Druid, this would be your Wisdom modifier. So instead of using the normal ability modifier (Strength, in most cases), you will be using your spellcasting ability modifier. Components: Verbal, Somatic, Material (mistletoe, a shamrock leaf, and a club or quarterstaff).The spell ends if you cast it again or if you let go of the weapon. The weapon also becomes magical, if it isn’t already. The wood of a club or quarterstaff you are holding is imbued with nature’s power.įor 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.

Let’s start with how Shillelagh is listed in the Player’s Handbook. Conclusion – Shillelagh in D&D 5e What Does Shillelagh Do?.Can you attack with Shillelagh as a Bonus Action?.Can you cast Shillelagh on a Magic Weapon?.Does Shillelagh count as a spell attack?.Does Shillelagh work with the Polearm Master feat?.Why Use Shillelagh in 5e? (Pros vs Cons).

Shillelagh club