Shocking Grasp: Joy Buzzer
Usable By: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
Spell Level: 0 (cantrip)
School: Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: Instantaneous
Components: V, S
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.
The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).
Review by Sam West, Twitter: @CrierKobold
Attacks of Opportunity are the main reaction D&D works with; basically everyone can take a punch at somebody if they try to get away without disengaging. Shocking Grasp is the sorcerer, wizard, and artificer tool to attempt to deal a bit of damage and get the raging gnoll off you without getting stabbed in the back while running.
1d8 lightning damage and a range of touch locks this into being predominantly an escape tool, and little else. Some rare scenarios will involve monsters with potent reactions, in which case Shocking Grasp can really shine, but the vast majority of the time if you have to use Shocking Grasp it's to prevent some brute from swinging at you or your other friends it's engaged with as you move elsewhere. The main problem with this tactic tends to be speed; 30 feet of movement is what you’re likely working with, and melee based monsters probably can keep up with you and keep attacking. This makes it even more of a niche spell, as you’d probably only want to use it instead of a more powerful damaging option like Poison Spray if you’ve got an ally also within 5 feet of the beast to keep them busy while you get out of dodge.
All of these factors leave Shocking Grasp with no spark. This is a cantrip that sounds good, but has actually very little in the way of utility. You’re probably better off sticking with a higher damage option at a wider range, or a more flexible utility cantrip with a wider array of possible scenarios it can be helpful in. You probably don’t want this cantrip if you’ve got any other options.
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