[RPG] Would improvised weapons work with cantrips like Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade

attackcantripsdnd-5eimprovised-weaponry

Green-Flame Blade:

As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make a melee
attack with a weapon
against one creature within the spell's range,
otherwise the spell fails.

This states that so long as the attack is a melee attack made with a weapon, you may use this cantrip and apply its affects. I realize improvised weapon has weapon in the name, and is under the weapons category, but it would also mean that I can use a mug as an improvised weapon with Booming Blade. I see no reason why this would not work, but I'm still curious to see how others may interpret this.

Best Answer

(This answer addresses booming blade and green-flame blade as they were prior to the 2020 Errata of Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide and may no longer be applicable to the current official version of these spells)


The meaning of "melee attack with a weapon" is different from the meaning of "melee weapon attack". So long as what you use is a weapon (including improvised weapons, but not unarmed strikes) and you make an attack with it, you have fulfilled the precondition. You can even use a ranged weapon (as an improvised weapon) to make a melee attack using these spells.