The fact that Crawford did not say anything else of their interaction also supports the use of casting ability instead of STR for the attack and damage rolls.īased to the description of both the feat and the spell the dice used for the attack is a d8, the language used is extremely specific and after reading it carefully you can notice how the two description match perfecly. When If I cast Shillelagh on my quarterstaff and have Polearm Master feat, does the bonus attack deal d4 or d8?Ĭrawford The bonus attack would use a d4. This interaction was clarified by 5e designer and ' official rules expert' Jeremy Crawford on 23 August 2014 in the following tweet exchange. However, while the Attack action uses a d8 for damage per the Shillelagh spell, the bonus attack uses a d4 damage die per the Polearm Master feat. The bonus attack is a melee attack, so you would be allowed to use your casting ability for the attack and damage rolls of the bonus attack (and the Attack action). The weapon’s damage die for this attack is a d4, and it deals bludgeoning damage. This attack uses the same ability modifier as the primary attack. When you take the Attack action and attack with only a quarterstaff, you can use a bonus action to make a melee attack with the opposite end of the weapon. The Polearm Master feat, in relevant part: It is not limited to only the Attack action.

275)Īs written, the spell applies to all melee attacks with the affected weapon. The attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using that weapon, and the weapon's damage die becomes a d8. The Shillelagh spell description, in relevant part:įor the duration, you can use your spellcasting ability instead of Strength for

Shillelagh build 5e