How Often Can You Cast Eldritch Blast? Unveiling the Power of the Warlock’s Signature Cantrip
The short answer is: as often as you have an action, you can cast Eldritch Blast. This seemingly simple answer, however, belies the nuanced ways in which this potent cantrip can be utilized and enhanced in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. While the base rule is straightforward, the combination of class features, metamagic, and strategic gameplay opens up several avenues to fire off multiple volleys of Eldritch energy in a single round. Let’s explore the full potential of this iconic spell.
Eldritch Blast: The Core Mechanics
At its base, Eldritch Blast is a cantrip that deals 1d10 force damage to a single target. However, its true power lies in its scalability. Unlike most other damage-dealing cantrips, Eldritch Blast increases the number of beams it fires, not the damage die. This means that at:
- Level 1-4: You fire one beam.
- Level 5-10: You fire two beams.
- Level 11-16: You fire three beams.
- Level 17+: You fire four beams.
Each beam requires a separate attack roll, meaning that each beam has the chance to hit a single target or you can split them amongst multiple foes. This scalability, combined with its potent force damage type, makes it a reliable source of damage throughout all levels of play.
The Action Economy and Eldritch Blast
The most important limitation on how many times you can cast Eldritch Blast is your action economy. The core rule states that casting Eldritch Blast requires an action. This means, under normal circumstances, you can cast it only once per turn. However, several features can modify this, allowing you to cast it multiple times:
Action Surge: Double the Blast
The Fighter class’s Action Surge feature allows you to take an additional action on your turn. By utilizing this feature, you can cast Eldritch Blast once with your standard action and again with your Action Surge action, effectively doubling your Eldritch Blast output in a single round. This capability is usually available to Fighter multiclass characters.
Metamagic: Quicken Spell
The Sorcerer class has access to Metamagic, a powerful ability that allows for modifications to spells. One of the metamagic options is Quicken Spell, which allows you to cast a spell that has a casting time of 1 action as a bonus action instead. This is where the true potential of casting multiple Eldritch Blasts emerges. If you are a Sorcerer (or have taken levels in Sorcerer), you can cast Eldritch Blast with your action, and then utilize the Quicken Spell metamagic for 2 Sorcery Points to cast it again as a bonus action, giving you the ability to cast two Eldritch Blasts in one round.
The Ultimate Blast Combo
With clever multiclassing, you can use Action Surge and Quickened Spell to cast Eldritch Blast a staggering three times in a single round. This requires multiclassing into Fighter (for Action Surge) and Sorcerer (for Quicken Spell), while still being a Warlock to obtain Eldritch Blast in the first place. In this case you would cast Eldritch Blast with your action, a second time with Action Surge and then a third time using Quicken Spell and your bonus action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions about casting Eldritch Blast, with detailed answers to help you better understand its nuances:
1. How many beams can Eldritch Blast have?
Eldritch Blast can have up to four beams when cast by a character of 17th level or higher.
2. Do you roll to hit multiple times for Eldritch Blast?
Yes, you roll a separate attack roll for each beam. Each beam can target the same enemy or a different enemy.
3. Can you move between beams of Eldritch Blast?
Yes, you can break up your movement on your turn, using some of your speed before and after your action, allowing for tactical positioning between casts.
4. Can you cast two cantrips if you have two attacks?
No, you cannot cast two cantrips using multiple attacks. However, if you are a Fighter with the extra attack feature, you can replace an attack action with a cantrip. You can only perform 1 cantrip within an attack action. If you want to cast another cantrip, you need another method, such as Haste.
5. Can you Twin Eldritch Blast?
You can twin Eldritch Blast when a character is levels 1st-4th as the spell can only target a single creature. However, at 5th level, it becomes untwinable as it has the potential to target more than one creature.
6. What is the longest possible range for Eldritch Blast?
The base range of Eldritch Blast is 120 feet. However, with the Eldritch Spear invocation, its range can be increased to 300 feet.
7. Can a warlock use movement between Eldritch Blasts?
Yes, you can move between casting Eldritch Blast. For example, if you have a 30-foot movement speed, you could move 10 feet, cast, then move the remaining 20 feet.
8. Does Eldritch Blast scale well?
Yes, Eldritch Blast scales exceptionally well by gaining additional attacks instead of damage dice. Each beam is a separate attack roll and can be enhanced with invocations.
9. Can you cast cantrips infinitely?
Yes, you can cast any cantrip you know at will and an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that lets them cast it specifies otherwise.
10. Can you cast Hex and Eldritch Blast on the same turn?
Yes, you can cast Hex and then Eldritch Blast on the same turn, as long as you cast Hex on a previous turn. The limitations on the number of spells you can cast come into play when the spell has a bonus action cast time.
11. How do you make Eldritch Blast as strong as possible?
The Agonizing Blast invocation allows you to add your charisma modifier to the damage of each beam. Multiple invocations such as this can dramatically increase the damage output of Eldritch Blast.
12. Can you split Eldritch Blast between targets?
Yes, you can split Eldritch Blast beams between multiple targets as long as they are all within range.
13. Can you cast two cantrips in one turn?
You can cast two cantrips in a single turn if one of those cantrips is cast as a bonus action, specifically through a feature such as Metamagic’s Quickened Spell.
14. Can Eldritch Blast go around corners?
Eldritch Blast does not specify a need to be able to see a creature. You can hit a creature you are aware of, as long as it is within 120 feet and not obscured by total cover. This does allow the beams to curve or go around corners.
15. Is there a way to make Eldritch Blast a bonus action?
Yes, a Sorcerer can use the Quicken Spell Metamagic feature, or they can take a feat such as Magic Initiate, and multiclass into warlock to acquire Eldritch Blast. This is limited by Sorcery points.
Conclusion
Eldritch Blast is more than just a simple cantrip. Its scalability, customization through invocations, and potential for multiple casts make it a cornerstone of many Warlock builds and a popular choice for multiclass characters looking to optimize their spellcasting. By understanding the action economy, utilizing class features, and employing clever strategies, you can fully unlock the potential of this iconic spell and unleash a barrage of force damage upon your foes.