A sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense, erupts from a point of your choice within range. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal, or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
A nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area.
At higher levels
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 2nd.
Shatter damage by spell slot level
Spell slot level
Damage
Average
2nd
3d8 thunder
13.5
3rd
4d8 thunder
18
4th
5d8 thunder
22.5
5th
6d8 thunder
27
6th
7d8 thunder
31.5
7th
8d8 thunder
36
8th
9d8 thunder
40.5
9th
10d8 thunder
45
Averages are the dice’s expected total. A target that succeeds on its Constitution save takes half. Roll any row in the dice roller.
How Shatter plays
A painful ringing erupts at a point up to 60 feet away. Every creature within 10 feet of that point makes a Constitution save, taking 3d8 thunder damage (13.5 on average) on a failure or half on a success. Creatures made of stone, crystal or metal make the save at disadvantage, and nonmagical objects in the area that nobody is holding take damage too.
It’s the first real area damage spell for bards, sorcerers, warlocks and wizards, and the best one before Fireball arrives at 5th level. Thunder damage is rarely resisted, and the 20-foot-wide blast catches groups that cluster around a door or a leader.
When to pick Shatter
Casters from 3rd level who want area damage. It’s especially valuable for warlocks and bards, who have few other damage spells at this level.
Against constructs and elementals of stone or metal, like animated armor, gargoyles and golems, the disadvantage on the save makes it much more reliable.
Clear obstacles. Unattended nonmagical objects in the area are damaged, which can break windows, chains, statues or a rickety barricade.
Common questions
Which creatures have disadvantage against Shatter?
Creatures made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal or metal: animated armor, gargoyles, stone and iron golems, earth elementals and the like. Whether skeletons count (bone is organic) is up to the DM.
Does Shatter hit my allies?
Yes. Everyone within 10 feet of the point makes the save, so aim away from your party.
Does Shatter break magic items?
No. Only nonmagical objects that aren’t being worn or carried take damage.
How much damage does Shatter do when upcast?
One more d8 per slot level above 2nd: 4d8 at 3rd level, 5d8 at 4th.
Is Shatter loud?
The spell is a sudden, painfully loud noise. Unlike Thunderwave, it doesn’t give a distance, but assume anyone nearby hears it.
Does Shatter work in a Silence spell?
No. You can’t cast it inside Silence because it has a verbal component, and creatures entirely inside a Silence sphere are immune to thunder damage.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised many spells, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new text. What changed from the 2014 version above:
No longer on the Warlock spell list.
Dice in the main effect: 3d8 → 3d8, 1d8.
Casting time
Action
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a chip of mica)
Duration
Instantaneous
School
Evocation
Level
2
Classes
Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard
A loud noise erupts from a point of your choice within range. Each creature in a 10-foot-radius Sphere centered there makes a Constitution saving throw, taking 3d8 Thunder damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one. A Construct has Disadvantage on the save.
A nonmagical object that isn't being worn or carried also takes the damage if it's in the spell's area.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d8 for each spell slot level above 2.
2024 version from the SRD 5.2. Most tables settle on one edition, so check which one yours uses.
