Can You Cast Eldritch Blast with War Caster? A Deep Dive

The short answer is: yes, you can absolutely cast Eldritch Blast as an opportunity attack using the War Caster feat. Despite some initial confusion stemming from the wording of earlier editions, the current rules of D&D 5th Edition clearly state that cantrips are considered spells. This means that they are completely compatible with the benefits offered by the War Caster feat, which specifically states that you can cast a spell as an opportunity attack. This article will dive deeper into the interaction between Eldritch Blast and War Caster, answering frequently asked questions to fully equip you with the knowledge you need to make the most out of this powerful combination.

Understanding the Basics

What is Eldritch Blast?

Eldritch Blast is a staple cantrip for the Warlock class in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. It’s a ranged spell attack that fires beams of force damage. It stands out due to its consistent damage output, long range, and, most importantly, its scalability. At higher levels, the number of beams increases, making it a force to be reckoned with. Additionally, certain Eldritch Invocations can greatly enhance its power and versatility, such as Agonizing Blast which adds your Charisma modifier to damage rolls or Repelling Blast that pushes your target.

What is the War Caster Feat?

The War Caster feat offers three key advantages to spellcasters:

1. Advantage on Concentration Checks: It gives you an advantage on saving throws to maintain concentration on a spell when taking damage. This is crucial for spellcasters who rely on long-term buffs or debuffs.
2. Cast Spells with Full Hands: It allows you to perform somatic components of spells while your hands are full, meaning you can cast spells even when wielding weapons and shields.
3. Cast Spells as Opportunity Attacks: Most importantly for this topic, War Caster allows you to use your reaction to cast a spell rather than make a melee attack when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack.

Why the Confusion?

Some confusion arises because earlier editions of D&D treated cantrips differently. In 5th Edition, however, cantrips are explicitly defined as level 0 spells. Therefore, they are subject to the same rules that apply to all other spells, including the War Caster feat.

How War Caster and Eldritch Blast Interact

The War Caster feat allows you to replace a melee opportunity attack with casting a spell that has a casting time of 1 action. Eldritch Blast, as a cantrip, has a casting time of one action. Therefore, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack by moving out of your reach, you can choose to cast Eldritch Blast instead of making a melee weapon attack.

Advantages of this Combination

• Ranged Opportunity Attacks: Warlocks, who often prioritize ranged combat, can now utilize opportunity attacks without needing to switch to melee weapons. This allows you to maintain your desired combat position without being forced into melee.
• Consistent Damage: Eldritch Blast provides reliable force damage, and with invocations, it can become incredibly potent. This means your opportunity attacks can be impactful and consistent.
• Strategic Control: With invocations like Repelling Blast, you can use opportunity attacks to push enemies back, creating distance or setting up tactical advantages.

Disadvantages to Consider

• Disadvantage in Melee: If the creature that provokes the opportunity attack is within 5 feet of you when you cast Eldritch Blast, you will have disadvantage on the attack roll, as per the standard ranged attack rules when enemies are in melee.
• Multiple Beams at Higher Levels: If you are level 5 or higher and Eldritch Blast produces multiple beams, you must target all the beams at the creature that provoked the opportunity attack, making it a less versatile option compared to targeting other enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the interaction between Eldritch Blast and War Caster, providing a comprehensive understanding of this combination:

1. Can a non-Warlock use Eldritch Blast with War Caster?

   • No. Eldritch Blast is exclusively a Warlock cantrip. Only those with the Warlock class levels or through very specific feats can cast Eldritch Blast.

2. Does War Caster’s advantage on Concentration checks affect Eldritch Blast?

   • No. Eldritch Blast does not require concentration to maintain. However, the advantage to concentration would help any spells that require it.

3. Can I use all of my Eldritch Blast beams on a single target during an opportunity attack if I’m a high-level Warlock?

   • Yes, at level 5+, all beams must target the creature that provoked the opportunity attack.

4. Does Eldritch Blast work with other feats that interact with spells?

   • Yes, because Eldritch Blast is a spell. Other feats that interact with spells, like Metamagic Adept’s Quickened Spell, can be used with Eldritch Blast.

5. If I have Repelling Blast, will my opportunity attack push the enemy if I hit with Eldritch Blast?

   • Yes. If you hit with Eldritch Blast when used for an opportunity attack, the target will be pushed back if you have the Repelling Blast invocation.

6. Does the Hex spell work with an opportunity attack using Eldritch Blast?

• Yes. If an enemy has been affected by the Hex spell, you can add an extra 1d6 damage to each beam of Eldritch Blast when you use it as an opportunity attack.

1. Can I cast a different spell as my opportunity attack instead of Eldritch Blast?

   • Yes, you can use any spell with a casting time of 1 action that you are able to cast for an opportunity attack. Guiding Bolt and Fire Bolt are also viable.

2. Is War Caster a good feat for Warlocks?

   • Absolutely. War Caster benefits Warlocks greatly by letting them maintain concentration, cast spells while armed, and crucially, use Eldritch Blast as an opportunity attack.

3. If I have a staff and shield, would War Caster allow me to cast Eldritch Blast?

   • Yes, even with a shield and a staff or other two handed weapon, War Caster allows you to use somatic components.

4. Can I cast Eldritch Blast as my reaction if the enemy moves away from my ally?

• No, War Caster specifically states, an opportunity attack is triggered when an enemy moves out of your range. If they are within reach of a melee weapon, they are in range.

1. Can you use Quickened Spell metamagic to cast Eldritch Blast twice in a turn?

   • Yes. The metamagic feat allows you to cast a spell as a bonus action, meaning you can cast Eldritch Blast with your action and bonus action for two instances in one turn.

2. Can you Twin Eldritch Blast?

   • Yes, when you are below level 5 and Eldritch Blast is only targetting one creature. You can target a single enemy with the spell twice.

3. Does the Powerful Cantrip feat work with Eldritch Blast?

• Yes. When you miss with Eldritch Blast due to a low attack roll, you can add damage based on the feat.

1. Can you use Eldritch Blast to hit an object?

   • Rules as written, no, you cannot target objects with Eldritch Blast unless your DM rules otherwise. However, most DMs are likely to allow this.

2. Is Eldritch Blast better than Fire Bolt?

   • It depends on your build and playstyle. Raw Eldritch Blast is just like Firebolt in raw damage. However, Eldritch Blast has the versatility that comes with Eldritch Invocations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interaction between Eldritch Blast and the War Caster feat is a powerful and synergistic combination in D&D 5th Edition. By understanding the mechanics of both, you can effectively utilize this synergy to create a formidable Warlock build, capable of dealing consistent ranged damage, controlling the battlefield, and maintaining your concentration in the thick of combat. The ability to cast Eldritch Blast as an opportunity attack adds a significant dimension to your tactical options. So, go forth and blast your foes with confidence, knowing that you have mastered one of the most powerful spell combinations in the game.