[RPG] Can the blade created by Shadow Blade be used with the Booming Blade or Green Flame Blade cantrips

dnd-5espells

The spell shadow blade allows a spellcaster to produce a discrete weapon that can then be used to make attacks:

You weave together threads of shadow to create a sword of solidified gloom in your hand. This magic sword lasts until the spell ends. It counts as a simple melee weapon with which you are proficient. It deals 2d8 psychic damage on a hit and has the finesse, light, and thrown properties (range 20/60). In addition, when you use the sword to attack a target that is in dim light or darkness, you make the attack roll with advantage.

Shadow Blade, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 164

As part of recent errata to the green-flame blade and booming blade cantrips, their material components have been amended to "a melee weapon worth at least 1 sp" (Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide, 142).

Can shadow blade still produce a weapon that can be used with these cantrips?

Best Answer

No, as the blade has no "worth"

Generally speaking, in game terms, "worth" is used to determine how much someone would spend in exchange for one or more items--whether buying or selling:

  • a diamond worth 300 gp
  • tapestries worth 50 gp
  • 10 gp worth of oils and herbs

So one party owns a product, another has gold pieces. The same could be said for trading salt or goats. One item is worth another; usually in an attempt to make an exchange.

But the blade cannot be exchanged

Per the description, "If you drop the weapon or throw it, it dissipates at the end of the turn" making the sword "worthless".

SAC V2.6 p. 19:

The intent is the blade vanishes when you let go of it (that’s one of the meanings of the word “drop”).

It should also be noted that the Shadow Blade spell itself, has no material component, so even the caster is not spending money to invoke it.