Skip to main content

Eldritch Blast

← Back to Spell List

Eldritch Blast
  • Level: Cantrip
  • School: Evocation
  • Class: Warlock
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: 120 feet
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: Instantaneous

You hurl a beam of crackling energy. Make a ranged spell attack against one creature or object in range. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 Force damage.

Cantrip Upgrade. The spell creates two beams at level 5, three beams at level 11, and four beams at level 17. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.

Tactical Usage​

Warlock's Signature: Eldritch Blast provides reliable ranged damage that scales uniquely. This warlock cantrip excels as consistent damage output with multiple customization options through invocations.

Optimal Timing: Use as primary ranged attack option, for consistent damage output, or when invocation effects provide tactical advantages.

Resource Management: Cantrip - unlimited use without spell slot expenditure. Available from character level 1+.

Target Selection: 120-foot range beam affects single target. Multiple beams at higher levels can target different creatures.

Spell Combinations​

Synergistic Spells:

  • Warlock Magic: Combine with hex for enhanced damage and tactical control
  • Invocation Enhancement: Various eldritch invocations modify eldritch blast significantly
  • Positioning Magic: Pair with misty step for optimal tactical positioning

Class Feature Interactions:

  • Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast, Repelling Blast, and others drastically enhance effectiveness
  • Hex Warrior: Some warlock features complement ranged combat style
  • Pact Features: Pact of the Tome or Chain can provide tactical support

Multi-Caster Coordination: Multiple warlocks can focus fire or use different invocation effects.

Material Component Details​

Component Acquisition: No material components required - only verbal and somatic components needed.

Component Handling: Simple V, S casting represents channeling otherworldly energy.

Roleplay Opportunities: Different blast manifestations reflect patron type, pact nature, or personal warlock aesthetics.

Economic Considerations: No costs make this economically viable as primary combat option.

Creator Notes​

Encounter Balancing: Consistent scaling damage affects encounter balance throughout all levels.

NPC Usage: Warlock NPCs rely on eldritch blast as primary damage source with invocation modifications.

Environmental Considerations: 120-foot range provides excellent tactical positioning options.

Campaign Integration: Signature warlock ability that defines the class's combat effectiveness.

Environmental Interactions​

Terrain Effects: 120-foot range allows tactical positioning across most encounter areas.

Weather Influence: Unaffected by weather conditions, providing reliable damage regardless of environment.

Structural Interactions: Force damage bypasses most physical resistances and affects objects normally.

Elemental Interactions: Force damage type unaffected by most elemental resistances or immunities.

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Timing Questions: Action casting time. Number of beams based on total character level, not warlock level.

Target Limitations: Each beam requires separate attack roll. Can target same creature or different creatures.

Duration Interactions: Instantaneous damage. Multiple beams fire simultaneously.

Mechanical Interactions: 1d10 base damage, additional beams at 5th, 11th, and 17th level. Each beam is separate attack.

Alternative Applications​

Non-Combat Uses: Object destruction, intimidation displays, breaking down barriers, or demonstrating otherworldly power.

Social Encounters: Intimidation through power display, demonstrating warlock abilities, or otherworldly negotiations.

Exploration Applications: Breaking obstacles, long-range object interaction, or accessing distant switches/mechanisms.

Utility Functions: Object destruction, long-range manipulation, intimidation assistance, or otherworldly demonstration.

School: Evocation cantrip representing otherworldly force manifestation.

Similar Effects: fire bolt (cantrip fire damage), ray of frost (cantrip cold damage), magic missile (1st level guaranteed hits).

Progression Options: eldritch blast (cantrip scaling), enhanced through invocations rather than spell progression.

Complementary Magic: hex (damage enhancement), armor of Agathys (defensive options), misty step (positioning).

Scaling Analysis​

Level Progression: Scales uniquely with total character level rather than spell slot progression.

Upcast Benefits: No spell slot usage - instead enhanced through eldritch invocations for additional effects.

Campaign Phases: Remains competitive throughout all levels as primary warlock damage source.

Comparative Value: Exceptional scaling cantrip that serves as foundation for warlock combat effectiveness.

Narrative Flavor​

Casting Description: Otherworldly energy crackles between your fingers as eldritch force manifests into devastating beams of supernatural power.

Effect Manifestation: Beams of crackling energy lance toward targets, carrying the otherworldly might of your patron.

Personal Style: Different patrons manifest unique energy - Fiend shows hellish fire, Great Old One exhibits cosmic horror, Celestial radiates holy light.

World Integration: Represents signature warlock magic channeled from otherworldly patrons, often associated with pact magic, supernatural contracts, or otherworldly power sources.