Quote from Coach_Gutt2433 >>

Can you use this with ranged weapons?

Yes, you can use it with any weapon you're proficient with, including both melee and ranged weapons.

Due to the requirement that it be worth at least 1 copper piece, it does need to be an actual physical weapon, not something conjured up by Shadow Blade or whatever.

Ok I was just curious because under attack/save it says Melee.

Those sections up at the top are added by D&D Beyond, and unfortunately there are a fair amount of errors in them. Always look at the actual spell description and what’s written in the actual book.

Because you can choose to do radiant damage instead of piercing damage this really is a "light" crossbow!

Could be fun to make a Belmont-esq rogue using a whip with true strike, too bad whips are so mediocre damage wise

It's a bit odd that it's not on the Clerics spell list, especially now that every cleric has the option of if they want to focus on cantrips as their backup/filler thing or martial weapons & armor.
Even more so since Inflict Wounds that was their low-cost melee damage range option got extremely nerfed in the update and went from strongest 1st lvl spell to possibly becoming the new "True Strike of 1st level spells".

Innate sorcering does work with true strike, Green flamme blade etc ? 

Quote from BudyDracos >>

Innate sorcering does work with true strike, Green flamme blade etc ? 

Yes. Innate Sorcery says it provides advantage on the attack rolls of Sorcerer spells you cast, so it works with any Sorcerer spell that requires an attack roll, including this one and Green-Flame Blade.

Agreed on a radiant soul. Agonizing blast does work after fifth level because the spell does extra damage

While it's an magical action the first sentence tho 

Guided by a flash of magical insight, you make one attack with the weapon used in the spell’s casting

Changes it to an attack action 

If this cantrip applies to any weapon with which you have proficiency, why does it say "melee" under attack/save?  Is it limited to melee attacks or not?  My DM insists that it is melee only because this page includes that word, despite the fact that it isn't there in the PHB.

it is not. your dm is wrong.

any weapon is viable.

Quote from AlericDawnthorn >>

If this cantrip applies to any weapon with which you have proficiency, why does it say "melee" under attack/save?  Is it limited to melee attacks or not?  My DM insists that it is melee only because this page includes that word, despite the fact that it isn't there in the PHB.

This is a data entry error from D&D Beyond (or, possibly, a deficiency in the way spells are displayed such that they can't put both "melee" and "ranged" in there).

The Player's Handbook is the definitive source for how this spell works. When the actual rules and D&D Beyond's implementation of them disagree, the actual rules win.

Can I use this Cantrip on My Warlocks 'Pact of the blade' weapon and then still take the extra Attacks from 'Thirsting blade' and 'devouring blade'. In the same turn?

Quote from TheFizzleKizzler >>

Can I use this Cantrip on My Warlocks 'Pact of the blade' weapon and then still take the extra Attacks from 'Thirsting blade' and 'devouring blade'. In the same turn?

No. Casting a spell (this one, or any other spell with a casting time of 1 action) uses the Magic action. Thirsting Blade explicitly only applies when you take the Attack action.

The extra damage that this and other combat cantrips gain at certain levels is intended to balance out this sort of thing.

Quote from wagnarokkr >>

Quote from TheFizzleKizzler >>

Can I use this Cantrip on My Warlocks 'Pact of the blade' weapon and then still take the extra Attacks from 'Thirsting blade' and 'devouring blade'. In the same turn?

No. Casting a spell (this one, or any other spell with a casting time of 1 action) uses the Magic action. Thirsting Blade explicitly only applies when you take the Attack action.

The extra damage that this and other combat cantrips gain at certain levels is intended to balance out this sort of thing.

 I thought so. I am very new to dnd. I Had people tell me that Paladin/Warlock builds get strong very quickly, however I did see a lot of debate about it online and some people were using strong arguments for it synergysing. Warlocks allready seem strong by themselves but giving yourself an armour class of 19-21 at level one gets rid of their one weakness. Add proficiency in martial weapons and two weapon masteries.
I'm dming but I can't wait to play someone elses campaign as a player.
I love min/maxing so I've been creating character builds which I've noticed has been helping me learn the rules in more depth.

Dont get me wrong though. I've got ideas for builds that are not that optimal and are more fun. A hippy druid that subclasses into warlock because when he was tripping a Fiend appeared and tricked him into a pact that he doesn't realize is actually real. When he does pact magic instead of druidic magic, he doesnt really understand what is going on or how he was able to do it.
He can often be found during downtime licking trees because Prestidigitation lets a character flavour 1 cubic foot of non living material for for an hour. And before anyone comes in and tells me tree's are living, The part of the tree under the bark is not in fact living. It is made from old dead bark which tree's evolved as a mechanism for being able to grow so tall as to be above the rest of the plants without having an insane energy upkeep cost. (Look it up, it is real science).

Thanks for the clarification though.

exactly..... the player that likes it though say but it gives advantage.......

Nick won't work, because casting the spell isn't using your Attack action. But the spell does let you use your weapon as part of the attack, so things like Sneak Attack will work just fine if the weapon qualifies.

I wish this was available for Artificers or Clerics.  Clerics often use their melee weapons while Wizards avoid martial combat due to their low hit points.  Artificers can use their Intelligence modifier for their firearms or repeater crossbows without being a Battle Smith.