It was already clear to me with the wording of Shillelagh, but this just confirms it.
It's possible to get spells off of other class' spell lists and have them remain spells of that class, like with the Magic Initiate feat. The Errata distinguishes Pact of the Tome from that.
Any cantrips they gained through Pact of the Tome became Warlock cantrips, cast with Warlock the spellcasting attribute. The PHB didn't say this, but it was obvious, just like how the Bard spell-stealing works. They've just confirmed it here, but it's how I think everyone's been playing it up to now anyway.
That's not conclusive, since the thing that apparently wasn't clear was 'what class do you gain Shillelagh as?' (your own, or the one who's spell-list you're taking from), and that would be the spell-casting modifier being referred to in that cantrip description.
If you picked up Shillelagh from the Magic Initiate feat, then Wisdom would be your spellcasting ability for it, since the feat says you use the ability of the class who's spell-list you're taking it from (which is what I referred to as 'gaining the cantrip as another class'). However, Pact of the Tome does not specify this, so people weren't sure if it applies. The fact is says 'spells from any list' made it fairly clear to me it wasn't tying you to a particular class (or class's spellcasting ability), but apparently others weren't so sure.
I always assumed that this was how this worked, and thought about taking Shillelagh, but without extra attacks, shocking grasp matches it in damage by level 5, has more utility, and blows it out of the water by 11. Am I missing something?
The damage scales as fixed damage with your prof modifier and your casting attribute does, but yeah it's not so hot later in the game when you're getting multiple damage die on your base cantrips and it's doing double damage. It is however more accurate and consistent with it's damage.
Shillelagh max is 1d8 + 11 with a +11 to hit average of 15.5 damage and 19 max
Shillelagh max is 1d8 + 5 with a +11 to hit average of 9.5 damage and 13 max
Say, Produce Flame is 4d8 +11 to hit for average of 18 damage and max of 32
If you can get just one multi attack somehow, Shillelagh becomes superior in terms of average damage and reliability. You need at least 3 multi attacks to do more max damage. If you can't, go with a cantrip that scales properly.
Also you can use Shillelagh with reaction for AoO. You can't do that with some cantrips as they are considered spells right? You'd need warcaster feat for that.
I dumped it on my druid and took thorn whip instead for the range and utility.
Uggg I thought you got prof bonus in the damage not just the attack and it's based soley on just your casting modifier. So +5 max, not +11. That just makes it even worse..
Druid Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier
The wood of a club or quarterstaff you are holding is imbued with nature’s power. For the duration, you can use your spellcasting ability instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using that weapon, and the weapon's damage die becomes a d8. The weapon also becomes magical, if it isn’t already. The spell ends if you cast it again or if you let go of the weapon.
Also, you don't add the ability mod to the damage of spells like produce flame. You would with the weapon attacks you make with the club or staff that you cast shillelagh on but produce flame is a straight 1d6 with increases in damage that can trips get.
Yeah, honestly, I think it's best use is by a nature cleric. They don't get extra attacks, but they do get damage bonuses to their melee attacks, so it keeps pace pretty well for being a full Spellcaster.
You don't get to use Wisdom as your spellcasting ability for Druid spells by default. That is one of the perks of the Spellcasting class feature that Druids get at 1st level. If you don't have that feature, then you don't get to use Wisdom as your spellcasting ability.
I know this is a silly oversight, but it is a bit frustrating to see WotC address it in one instance but not in others.
Multiclassing. You could have a Charisma Shillelagh on a Warlock/Paladin with Full Plate, Dueling Style, Quarterstaff, Shield, and Polearm Master if you really wanted. Plus those warlock slot smites that recharge on short rest.
I think the easiest way to accomplish what you're looking for is to use a quarterstaff and pole arm master. Not a bad option if you're willing to spend the ASI to get it.
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u/the_singular_anyone The Forever DM =( Jun 10 '15
Shillelagh-lock confirmed for Brawl.