Correct. So if it weren't for the second clause, you could Magic Missile a target under Sanctuary.
You can't target the warded creature with an "attack or harmful spell." But you could grapple it, or push it, or pour oil on the ground and light it on fire. It doesn't make you invincible, it just forecloses the most direct options for hurting you.
Grapple is an attack it just doesn't use a standard attack roll. If it wasn't an attack then it wouldn't require the attack action.
PHB_194 said:If there's ever any question whether something you're doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you're making an attack roll, you're making an attack.
PHB 194:
Opportunity attack with dagger: attack roll. Is an attack. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it.
Casting Eldritch Blast: attack roll. Is an attack. Is an attack. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it.
Casting Magic Missile: no roll. Not an attack but is a harmful spell. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it, except technically if you cast it on an ally (e.g. to wake them up from Hypnotic Pattern or end a Domination).
Grappling: opposed skill check. Not an attack. Ignores Sanctuary completely in both directions.
Intimidating: opposed skill check. Not an attack. Ignores Sanctuary completely in both directions.
Whether something is an attack or not has nothing to do with whether it happens during an Attack action, a reaction, a bonus action, a Cast a Spell action, or something else.
Since grapple IS an attack (PHB p 195), and shoving IS an attack (PHB p195 those options aren't available. AOE effects and the like will still work.
Sure, they're a special kind of attack, different from a regular attack, and they're only available when you're Attacking instead of e.g. Dodging. But do they "count as" attacks from a game jargon standpoint? PHB 194 says no. Since Sanctuary is written against game jargon, that matters.
Sure, they're a special kind of attack, different from a regular attack, and they're only available when you're Attacking instead of e.g. Dodging. But do they "count as" attacks from a game jargon standpoint? PHB 194 says no. Since Sanctuary is written against game jargon, that matters.
Grappling is defined in rules as a special melee attack. PHB 195, says "When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple.""Attack" is a technical term in 5E, including in spell descriptions. PHB 194:
Opportunity attack with dagger: attack roll. Is an attack. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it.
Casting Eldritch Blast: attack roll. Is an attack. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it.
Casting Magic Missile: no roll. Not an attack but is a harmful spell. Blocked by Sanctuary, or ends Sanctuary if the warded creature does it, except technically if you cast it on an ally (e.g. to wake them up from Hypnotic Pattern or end a Domination).
Grappling: opposed skill check. Not an attack. Ignores Sanctuary completely in both directions.
Intimidating: opposed skill check. Not an attack. Ignores Sanctuary completely in both directions.
Whether something is an attack or not has nothing to do with whether it happens during an Attack action, a reaction, a bonus action, a Cast a Spell action, or something else.
If "attack" in the description of Sanctuary were intended to be construed loosely, the restriction about not being able to cast spells that affect enemy creatures would be redundant, no? Because those spells would already count as "attacks" under the loose constriction. It seems clear that "attack" is being used with the technical meaning, which means PHB 194 applies.
PHB_194 said:If there's ever any question whether something you're doing counts as an attack, the rule is simple: if you're making an attack roll, you're making an attack.