Eldritch Blast 5e [DnD Spell Rules + Tips]

Eldritch Blast 5e

Widely accepted as one of the most overpowered cantrips in DnD 5e, Eldritch Blast packs a considerable punch from level 1 all the way to level 20. Let’s dive into what makes this seemingly simple spell so darn special.

Who Can Cast Eldritch Blast in 5e?

The following classes have Eldritch Blast on their spell list:

• Warlock

The only other ways to get Eldritch Blast involve picking up a feat (Magic Initiate, Spell Sniper), multiclassing Warlock for one level, and the Bard’s Magical Secrets feature(s).

What Does Eldritch Blast Do in 5e?

Eldritch Blast is a ranged spell attack that deals 1d10 force damage when it hits. To make a ranged spell attack, roll a d20 and add your spell attack bonus (proficiency bonus + spellcasting modifier). The spellcasting modifier for Warlocks is Charisma.

Eldritch Blast deals force damage, which is one of the least common resistances in the game. At higher levels, a caster can send out multiple beams with one cast of Eldritch Blast, either all at the same target or at different targets in range. The caster makes separate attack rolls for each beam.

Finally, Eldritch Blast comes with a whole host of potential Warlock Invocations (acquired starting at level 2) that significantly increase the power and utility of the spell:

• Agonizing Blast: Add your Charisma modifer to the damage on hit.

• Eldritch Spear: Increases range to 300 feet.

• Repelling Blast: On hit, you can push a creature up to 10 feet away from you.

• Grasp of Hadar: On hit, you can pull a creature up to 10 feet towards you (once per turn). (XGtE 57)

• Lance of Lethargy: On hit, reduce creature’s speed by 10 feet until the end of your next turn. (XGtE 57)

Note that you can apply multiple Invocations simultaneously — you are only limited by the maximum number of Invocations known for your Warlock level.

What Are the Rules for Eldritch Blast in 5e?

There are no complicated rules for Eldritch Blast itself, but there are some interactions with other spells, features, and Invocations that are worth clearing up:

• The Sniper Feature does stack with the Eldritch Spear Invocation, bringing the spell’s total range to a whopping 600 feet. For multiclassers with at least three levels in Sorcerer, you can also apply Distant Spell for an insane 1,200-foot range.

• With the exception of Grasp of Hadar, each invocation applies to each Eldritch Blast beam. For example, you could push one creature 40 feet away from you in a straight line with Repelling Blast, or push 4 different creatures 10 feet away each (assuming each beam hits, of course).

  Grasp of Hadar is the one invocation that explicitly states it can only be used once per turn.

• Eldritch Blast can be Twinned using Sorcerer’s metamagic if the caster is 4th-level or lower. But once Eldritch Blast has multiple targets, it can no longer be Twinned. That’s because “to be eligible for Twinned Spell, a spell must be incapable of targeting more than one creature at the spell’s current level” (emphasis mine, PHB 102, Errata 1).

Here are other rules regarding Eldritch Blast covered on Sage Advice:

• Multiple Eldritch Blast attacks don’t happen simultenously. However you do choose the beams’ targets simultaneously upon casting the spell. At least that’s my best interpretation of this Sage Advice thread.

• Eldritch Blast can’t target objects. Because it affects life force or something. However, as Jeremy Crawford points out in this thread, DMs can do whatever they like.

How Do I Use Eldritch Blast in 5e?

If you’re going for a ranged, spellcasting-focused Warlock, you already know how to use Eldritch Blast — as your main source of damage. But if you’re looking to optimize your build around this cantrip from the start, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Get Agonizing Blast early. You get access to your first 2 invocations at 2nd level. With so few spell slots, you’re likely going to be spamming Eldritch Blast through most early bouts of combat, so there’s no reason not to pick up Agonizing Blast (+Cha modifier to each of Eldritch Blast’s beam).

   This will likely work out to around +50% damage, as your typical low-level Warlock has a +2 or +3 Charisma modifier, and Eldritch Blast’s base average damage is 5.5.

   5th level is also a good time to pick up Agonizing Blast, as that’s Eldritch Blast gets a second beam, doubling the potency of this invocation. Of course, you can always switch around invocations as you level, so you don’t have to feel too trapped by any decisions.

2. Concentration-buster/death save-skipper. Once Eldritch Blast gets multiple beams, it becomes akin to Magic Missile, with all its glorious utility. This makes it great for breaking a baddie’s concentration (they’ll have to make a Consitution saving throw each time they’re hit) or skipping death saves (they auto-fail one roll each time they’re hit).

   Of course, Magic Missile just lands automatically, whereas Eldritch Blast requires a roll each time.

3. Max Charisma ASAP. Most Warlocks will be doing this anyway, but the faster your Charisma modifier gets maxed out, the sooner your Eldritch Blast starts hitting like a truck with Agonizing Blast.

4. Battlefield control. If moving enemies around the room like chess pieces sounds more fun than just outright blasting them, Repelling Blast and Grasp of Hadar are a lot of fun. Coupled with terrain damage or allies’ area of effect spells, being able to place enemies just where you want them can be incredibly rewarding.

Is Eldritch Blast 5e a Good Spell?

Yes, Eldritch Blast was undeniably the best damaging cantrip in the original source material for DnD 5e. For Warlocks with access to Invocations, that’s still arguably the case.

Here are the top reasons why Eldritch Blast is so good:

• It’s a cantrip. Unlimited uses of a 120-foot range, 1d10 attack is incredibly powerful. Fire Bolt offers the same damage and range, but with fire damage, which many more enemies are resistant or immune to. The consistent damage of Eldritch Blast ensures that a Warlock will always deal the most damage in situations where spell slots are right.

• Muiltiple discrete bolts. The difference in upcast between Fire Bolt and Eldritch Blast is where the big power difference starts to emerge. While Fire Bolt’s total damage remains on par with Eldritch Blast, you only make one attack — if it misses, you do no damage.

  Plus, each strike of Eldritch Blast can be a critical strike, opening up even more damage potential.

• Almost nothing resists force damage. Force damage is one of the least common resistances and immunities in the game.

• Only requires one hand. No one-handed martial weapons deal 1d10 or more damage, and the only ranged weapon that offers that great of damage is a cumbersome Heavy Crossbow.

Invocation potential. This is why Eldritch Blast is in a league of its own as far as cantrips go. Agonizing Blast in particular ensures steady damage by always adding your Charisma modifier to the spell’s damage. That damage gets tacked onto each and every beam, multiplying the Invocation’s effect each time the spell levels up.

Being able to push an enemy up to 40 feet away in one turn with Repelling Blast is also incredibly powerful and basically ensures that your target won’t be able to get involved in the fight. Lance of Lethargy offers a similar effect, and when stacked with Repelling Blast, you’re basically Spiderman webbing a foe to the nearest wall.

Furthermore, the fact that invocations (aside from Grasp of Hadar) apply to each Eldritch Blast beam means they scale incredibly well throughout the game

In short, Eldritch Blast is already a top-tier cantrip at level 1. Its ability to scale with levels and invocations means that it’s your go-to damaging ability throughout the game.

Simple Eldritch Blast 5e Spell Text