Does Booming Blade Count as a Spell Attack?
Booming Blade, a cantrip spell in the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) game, is a crucial topic for many players. When you cast this spell, you brandish the weapon you’re holding and make a melee attack with it. But is it a spell attack or a weapon attack? In this article, we’ll explore the answers provided by Sage Advice and examine the official sources to settle this question.
What is Booming Blade?
For those unfamiliar with Booming Blade, let’s first describe what the spell does. According to the D&D Player’s Handbook (p. 221), when you cast Booming Blade, you brandish the weapon you’re holding and make a melee attack with it against one creature within 5 feet of you. The spell deals bonus fire damage based on your spellcasting modifier.
What does the Sage Say?
According to the official Sage Advice column on the official D&D website, Booming Blade is a spell attack, not a weapon attack (https://www.dndbeyond.com/articles/sage-advice-is-booming-blade-a-spell-attack).
The reasoning is simple: the spell specifically states you are "casting a spell" when you brandish the weapon, which suggests it is a spellcasting action, not a regular attack. Furthermore, Booming Blade requires the Cast a Spell action, whereas Attack is the action required for weapon attacks.
More Insights from the Official Sources
Other official sources reinforce the idea that Booming Blade is a spell attack:
- The Spellcasting chapter in the Player’s Handbook (p. 149) clarifies that a spell can "include specific actions you can take with your own hands or weapons."
- Combat chapter in the same book (p. 189) explicitly states that spell attack rolls are made separately from weapon attack rolls.
Implications of Booming Blade Being a Spell Attack
Considering Booming Blade as a spell attack has significant implications:
- Spell sniper effects: Some spells and abilities may affect spell attack rolls, making Booming Blade a viable target for those effects.
- Magic resistance: Creatures with Magic Resistance (DMG, p. 124) may ignore the fire damage dealt by Booming Blade.
- Interaction with other abilities: Abilities like Wild Shape (PH, p. 92) or Magic Missile (PH, p. 241) may affect or be affected by Booming Blade as a spell attack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on official sources, including the Sage Advice column, the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook, and other official materials, Booming Blade is indeed a spell attack, not a weapon attack. When casting Booming Blade, you use the Cast a Spell action, which implies that it is a spellcasting action.
Summary of Key Points
• Booming Blade is a spell attack, not a weapon attack.
• It requires the Cast a Spell action, not the Attack action.
• Booming Blade is susceptible to effects that target spell attacks, such as spell sniper abilities.
• Creatures with Magic Resistance may ignore the fire damage dealt by Booming Blade.
• Other abilities and effects may interact with Booming Blade as a spell attack.
Now, armed with this information, you’ll be ready to take your Booming Blade attacks to the next level – as a powerful spell attack, of course!