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Armor of Agathys (PHB 215) states:
If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage.
Since it doesn't specify that it has to be a weapon attack, does it also work for melee spell attacks?
Specifically, would it work against Spiritual Weapon (PHB 278)?
A Melee Spell attack is still a melee attack. Melee attacks are melee attacks, but there can be different types (weapon, spell, etc.)
As long as it is a melee attack, then armor of agathys will trigger.
This was actually more complicated than I thought it was going to be based on determining who is actually making the attack. While spiritual weapon is not a creature, and normally wouldn't trigger the armor of agathys, it is not the weapon that is delivering the attack.
Instead, the caster of spiritual weapon is the one actually delivering the spell attack. Spiritual weapon is (emphasis mine):
...a floating spectral weapon... When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon.
Had the language say it makes a melee spell attack, then armor of agathys wouldn't trigger as the attack isn't coming from a creature. But the language here is that you, a creature, are making the spell attack.
The spiritual weapon is basically allowing your character to make a melee attack against someone on your turn at a distance.
Spiritual Weapon (PHB 278):
When you cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a creature within 5 feet of the weapon.
A melee spell attack is a melee attack, see Melee Attacks (PHB 194):
a melee attack allows you to attack a foe within your reach. [...] A few spells also involve making a melee attack. [...] Most creatures have a 5-foot reach and can thus attack targets within 5 feet of them when making a melee attack.
This is sort of complicated. I definitely agree it works for melee spell attacks, for they are still melee attacks. But, spiritual weapon doesn’t require you to be in melee range. I personally wouldn’t rule it triggering, but really, it’s up to the DM (like everything else).
