Booming Blade 5e – Complete Guide to the Cantrip
Booming Blade is one of the most powerful battlefield control cantrips in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It enhances melee damage while punishing enemies who move — making it a favorite for gish builds and tactical players.
This guide explains exactly how Booming Blade works, how it scales, common rules confusions, and how to use it effectively in combat.
Booming Blade 5e — Quick Spell Reference
Cantrip (Evocation)
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: Self (5-foot radius)
Components: S, M (a melee weapon worth at least 1 sp)
Duration: 1 round
What It Does (At a Glance)
- Make a melee weapon attack as part of the spell.
- On a hit, the target takes normal weapon damage.
- If the target willingly moves 5 feet or more before your next turn, it takes thunder damage.
Damage Scaling by Character Level
| Character Level | On-Hit Bonus Thunder | Move-Triggered Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | — | 1d8 |
| 5–10 | 1d8 | 2d8 |
| 11–16 | 2d8 | 3d8 |
| 17+ | 3d8 | 4d8 |
How Booming Blade Actually Works
When you cast Booming Blade, you use your Action to cast the spell. As part of that spell, you make a melee weapon attack against a creature within 5 feet.
If the attack hits:
- The target takes normal weapon damage.
- The target becomes sheathed in unstable energy until the start of your next turn.
- If the target willingly moves 5 feet or more before then, it takes thunder damage.
Does Extra Attack Work with Booming Blade?
No — in most cases.
Casting Booming Blade is not the Attack action. It is casting a spell that includes a weapon attack. Because of that, the Extra Attack feature does not grant additional attacks during the same action.
Some specific class features may allow combining spellcasting with weapon attacks, but Extra Attack itself does not apply to Booming Blade.
This is one of the most common rules misunderstandings around the spell.
What Counts as “Willingly Moves 5 Feet or More”?
The bonus thunder damage only triggers if the creature chooses to move.
Movement That Triggers It
- Walking
- Running
- Dashing
- Moving away from you voluntarily
Movement That Does NOT Trigger It
- Being pushed
- Being pulled
- Forced movement
- Teleportation caused by another effect
- Standing up from prone (this is not movement)
If the creature accumulates 5 feet or more of voluntary movement before your next turn, the extra damage triggers once.
Tactical Uses of Booming Blade
1. Chokepoint Control
In narrow corridors or doorways, Booming Blade forces enemies to choose between:
- Staying put and being locked down
- Moving and taking additional thunder damage
2. Rogue Hit-and-Run
A Rogue can:
- Cast Booming Blade.
- Strike with Sneak Attack.
- Disengage using Cunning Action.
If the enemy pursues, they trigger the bonus damage.
3. Punishing Retreat
Enemies attempting to reposition or escape melee range risk taking extra damage.
4. Mid-Level Damage Spike
At level 5 and beyond, the additional on-hit thunder damage makes Booming Blade competitive with multiattack damage in certain builds.
Common Rules Clarifications
Does Standing Up from Prone Trigger Booming Blade?
No. Standing up costs movement but is not considered moving 5 feet.
Does Forced Movement Trigger It?
No. Push, pull, or magical forced repositioning does not count as willing movement.
Does Teleporting Trigger It?
No. Teleportation is not considered movement for this purpose.
Does Difficult Terrain Matter?
If the creature willingly moves 5 feet or more, even through difficult terrain, it triggers.
Best Builds for Booming Blade
Excellent For
- Bladesinger Wizards
- Hexblade Warlocks
- Eldritch Knights
- Arcane Tricksters
- Artificers with melee focus
These builds benefit from scaling cantrip damage and close-range engagement.
Less Effective For
- Pure ranged casters
- Backline support characters who avoid melee
Combat Example
A Bladesinger hits an enemy with Booming Blade at level 5.
- Weapon damage applies.
- The spell adds 1d8 thunder damage.
- The enemy decides to reposition to flank.
- After moving 5 feet, it takes 2d8 thunder damage.
The spell has effectively converted enemy movement into damage.
Booming Blade 5e FAQ
Does Extra Attack Give Me More Attacks with Booming Blade?
No. Extra Attack applies only when you take the Attack action.
Does Standing Up from Prone Trigger the Damage?
No.
Does Forced Movement Trigger It?
No.
Can It Be Used with Ranged Weapons?
No. It requires a melee weapon attack.
Does It Scale Automatically?
Yes. The spell scales based on your character level, not class level.
Is Booming Blade Worth It?
Yes — especially for melee-focused spellcasters. It scales well, punishes positioning mistakes, and provides strong action economy at higher levels.
If your build fights in melee and wants battlefield control, Booming Blade is one of the best cantrips available.