DnD 5e Spells – Calculating Attack and Damage Bonus with Shillelagh

attack-rollcantripsdamagednd-5espells

The description of the Shillelagh cantrip says:

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.

I have a quarterstaff (typically 1d6). My Strength modifier is -1, my proficiency bonus is +2, and my Wisdom modifier is +4.

With Shillelagh, does the damage roll become 1d8+4?

What does my attack bonus become? Is it still +1 (-1+2)? Or do I use my WIS bonus so my attack bonus becomes +6?

Best Answer

Assuming that Wisdom is your spellcasting ability (which it is if you are a Druid or Nature Cleric, two of the three classes which could use this spell), then

... you can use your spellcasting ability instead of Strength for the attack and damage rolls of melee attacks using that weapon. -PHB p 275

This means in your case that the attack will get a bonus of +6, and the damage will be 1d8+4. You could chose to use your Strength instead of your Wisdom if you preferred, but it would only reduce your ability to strike and damage a target