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Message: <blockquote data-quote="NotAYakk" data-source="post: 7908724" data-attributes="member: 72555">Of course it is usable!  It just doesn't great you a second beam.  The rules give you an additional target, not a second beam or a second ranged attack roll.Yes.  One requires that you make a ranged spell attack against a target.The other requires you make a melee weapon attack against a target.It constrains which creatures you can make the melee weapon attack, which the spell grants, against.I've spent some time trying to generate natural wording for "this spell grants a melee weapon attack against its target and on a hit blah", and they all suck.Yes, this spell uses the melee weapon attack rules.  Not the melee spell attack rules.  Melee spell attacks are a rules element described in the combat section that uses your casting modifier.  Melee weapon attacks are also described; they use strength, and dexterity sometimes, and charisma on a hexblade warlock.That is the core of the difference between these spells.Yes, because shocking grasp uses int, cha or wis (depending on which casting stat) to make the attack roll, while this one uses str, dex (if finesse weapon) or (on a hexblade) cha.A spell attack roll is an attack roll you make with your casting stat.Did I mention a ghost weapon anywhere?  No I did not.  Why are you bringing up a ghost weapon when responding to me?  It also doesn't involve a polymorphed chicken from the moon, nor does it involve upside down pyramids with beholder eyestalks.A spell attack means you use the spellcasting ability of the spellcaster.  See above.Magic is causing the attack to happen.  Without the spell causing the attack to happen, you are not allowed to cast a spell and make an attack on the same action.If you say that the spell text doesn't grant you the ability to make an attack while casting it, the spell does nothing.  I mean, that is a position.  I don't think it is yours.  Is it?So, assuming you agree that booming blade is a spell that does something, then the spell grants you the ability to make an attack while casting it.[SNIP] more about ghost arms.  I am disappointed you aren't also ruling out polymorphed chickens teleporting being caused by the spell.  I mean, they aren't caused by the spell either, but you spend so much time talking about ghost arms they might feel left out in also not being mentioned as not happening.Most classes don't have the ability to take the attack action and make two attacks.Every class can make two attacks each round.  Pick up two small rocks (if your DM agrees they are "light": failing that, two daggers).  Now make an attack.  And make a bonus action attack.There we go, two attacks in a round.That is what you said, and it is wrong.  Probably because it isn't what you wanted to say; I think you meant "two attacks in an action".  To be more clear, it is "two attacks by taking the attack action".  And yes, many classes cannot make two attacks by taking the attack action.No class can make an attack while casting a spell as an action, unless the spell grants an attack.  Either booming blade grants an attack, or it doesn't.Only a few classes can make a spell attack as an action, unless they cast a spell.  Some spells grant spell attacks as part of the spell.  Either ray of frost grants a spell attack, or it doesn't.Both booming blade and ray of frost pick a target.  Twin spell applies to both, and let you pick an additional target.  If both ray or frost and booming blade grant an attack (one a spell attack, one a melee attack), either the ability to attack each target is granted, or not.  By the rules as written, no additional attacks are granted by twin spell.Ray of Frost only deals damage if the Beam hits the target.  That beam is described as singular.  Booming blade only deals damage if the weapon attack hits the target.  That weapon attack is described as singular.  Twin Spell does not give two Beams, it just gives another target.  So there is no rules text that supports there being a second beam, just as there is no rules text that supports there being a second weapon attack in Booming blade.  Without that second swing or beam, the second target cannot be hit, so no effect occurs on them.Making a ranged spell attack isn't something a sorcerer can do without a spell.  Being able to do a ranged spell attack without a spell is very rare -- sun soul monks and the returned dead rogue are the only two that I can think of -- and second ranged spell attack without a spell permitting it is something only radiant sun soul monks can do!  Sorcerers simply lack the ability to do it naturally, unless a spell permits them to do it.And as twin spell doesn't grant a second beam nor a second ranged spell attack, using twin spell on ray of frost is permitted, but mostly useless.  Just like Booming Blade.As a DM, you are free to houserule that ray of frost gets a second beam, but booming blade doesn't.  I'm not stopping you.  I'm just saying that ray of frost's inability to hit a second target is directly in line with booming blade's inability.Both grant an attack.  One is a melee weapon attack, one is a ranged spell attack.  Both have an effect if the attack hits the target.  Twin spell works on both, and grants an additional target.  Twin spell does not grant an additional attack in either case.</blockquote>

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