
This is, so the cantrip is not completely useless at higher levels. The game is balanced to allow damage cantrips to increase based on total character level. Then the melee attack roll is made to resolve the effect of the melee attack, not the spell effect. The spell has an effect when cast that is independent of the roll required. Spell Action with an Attack- Booming Blade is a spell that, when cast, requires a melee attack to be made as part of casting the spell.AC of target) resolve the effect of the spell, either a hit for damage or a miss. Ranged Spell Attack- Firebolt is a spell that, when cast, requires a ranged spell attack roll.Then rolls are made to resolve the effects of the spell (dexterity save vs. Spell Action- Sacred Flame is a spell that, when cast, has an effect.Sometimes there is a roll to hit as a component to a spell action such as Booming Blade, but it is still a spell action. The typical telltale sign of an attack action compared to a spell action is the presence of a roll to hit. Sacred Flame, for example, is a spell action, not an attack action therefore, it cannot be a ranged attack. Is Sacred Flame a Ranged Attack?Ĭlassifications and terminology can be confusing, especially when in reference to certain spells. It does, however, make the spell weaker than some of its counterparts since dexterity is generally a higher stat for many creatures. This is not entirely uncommon for cantrips. the spell save DC of the caster for no damage. The target either takes 1d8 damage (at base level) or makes a dexterity save vs. The Sacred Flame spell is all-or-nothing when cast. However, the spell does not specify any additional damage to undead which is a change from other options of divine magic. This is a benefit to the spell since radiant damage is less likely to be resisted than fire damage. It is important to note that Sacred Flame does radiant damage -not fire damage. Since there is not an attack roll, l partial cover is negated for the target.Ī pillar of radiant flame descends on the target. The caster needs line of sight only to target the creature. The rules are extremely specific to the advantages and disadvantages of this spell. The spell does 1d8 damage at base level with an allowed dexterity save to negate the damage completely. A pillar of radiant energy fire descends on the target. Sacred Flame targets a creature the caster can see within range.

They also show that Sacred Flame follows other cantrips in progressive damage increase based on character level. The target can make a dexterity saving throw to negate the damage. The rules for the Sacred Flame Cantrip identify this as an all-or-nothing spell. The spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8). The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d8 radiant damage.

Is Sacred Flame the Best Cleric Cantrip?įlame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range.
