D&D (2024) Playtest 8: Cantrips

[Nightfly]

You shouldn't need magic to make someone hate you!

We're on a D&D internet message board. If y'all haven't learned yet how to make people hate you, you should pay closer attention.

 

[Nightfly]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

I think it would be fine if it did 1d10 like Chill Touch

 

[Kinematics]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

My storm sorcerer took it because it was in theme. Melee was never desirable, so it was just a backup option. The primary purpose of shutting down reactions was to disable opportunity attacks, so nothing changes there. I don't know that I ever even had the opportunity to use it on anyone with metal armor, so that removal is irrelevant. The damage is similar to most other cantrips. And being melee meant it didn't get penalized with disadvantage the way the ranged cantrips did at that range.

I wouldn't mind if they bumped it up to 1d10 like Chill Touch, but calling it "nerfed into uselessness" is seriously overblowing things.

 

[Kurotowa]

My storm sorcerer took it because it was in theme. Melee was never desirable, so it was just a backup option. The primary purpose of shutting down reactions was to disable opportunity attacks, so nothing changes there. I don't know that I ever even had the opportunity to use it on anyone with metal armor, so that removal is irrelevant. The damage is similar to most other cantrips. And being melee meant it didn't get penalized with disadvantage the way the ranged cantrips did at that range.

I wouldn't mind if they bumped it up to 1d10 like Chill Touch, but calling it "nerfed into uselessness" is seriously overblowing things.

Yeah, I don't think Shocking Grasp is meant to be a mainstay the way some of the others are. Chill Touch is what you take if you're an Eldritch Knight or Bladesinger and want a hard hitting melee cantrip. Shocking Grasp is for when a ranged caster gets caught in melee and wants to get out of melee. It isn't as reliable as Disengage, but it doesn't sacrifice your ability to attack that turn either.

That isn't a sexy role, and some people who want a lightning attack for aesthetic reasons aren't happy, but it's good utility for the right caster.

 

[Mistwell]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

What if you do the shock damage and then teleported 5' away on a hit? Like you're sucking some energy from someone to power a very short range teleport.

 

[James Gasik]

We're on a D&D internet message board. If y'all haven't learned yet how to make people hate you, you should pay closer attention.

That's kind of my point! Who needs a cantrip, I can just say something like "Where's mah 5e Warlord?" and instantly get the ire of other people!

 

[James Gasik]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

You know, I used to think the same thing, but I've found Shocking Grasp to be quite useful in Baldur's Gate 3. As for the nerfs, looking at newer monster designs, I think WotC wants to start doing more with reaction abilities on monsters as opposed to Legendary Actions, which would make Shocking Grasp really good in some fights.

Not justifying it, just saying, that could be a reason.

 

[Leatherhead]

The best thing about True Strike is that Mages can finally attack with their Staves, or Spears, or Crossbows, and not be a total joke of an option.

 

[Charlaquin]

Apologies for largely repeating what I wrote in another thread, but... It's it just me, or has Shocking Grasp been nerfed into uselessness? The disengage effect whiffs 40% of the time or more, the damage is awful, the range is zero. Why would a player ever take it? At least when it gave advantage vs metal armor, it had a little niche that made it interesting and occasionally useful. Now it's just trash. Take the disengage action and skip the paper-cut level damage.

Disengage ensures you will neither take damage from an opportunity attack nor deal damage with your action. Shocking Grasp is an alternative that lets you accept a small risk of taking damage from an opportunity attack in exchange for a high chance of dealing damage with your action. In most cases, that’s a risk worth taking.