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Can You Deflect Eldritch Blast? A Deep Dive into D&D Mechanics

The short, sharp answer is no, you cannot directly deflect Eldritch Blast using the Monk’s Deflect Missiles feature in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e). Deflect Missiles specifically targets physical projectiles, while Eldritch Blast is a magical spell that creates beams of energy.

To understand why, let’s dissect the relevant rules and delve into the nature of these abilities. Deflect Missiles allows a Monk to use their reaction to reduce the damage from a ranged weapon attack by 1d10 + their Dexterity modifier + their Monk level. If they reduce the damage to 0, they can catch the missile if it is small enough to hold in one hand and they have a free hand. They can then spend 1 ki point to make a ranged attack with the caught missile.

This entire sequence relies on the existence of a tangible projectile. Arrows, bolts, and even bullets can be physically grasped, manipulated, and thrown back. Eldritch Blast, however, is not a physical object. It’s a blast of raw magical energy conjured from the caster’s will. Think of it more like a laser beam than a rock. There’s nothing to physically catch or deflect. While the visual effects of Eldritch Blast might appear missile-like, the underlying mechanics and the description of the spell clearly define it as a ranged spell attack.

Therefore, despite the intuitive imagery of deflecting projectiles, the rules are clear: Deflect Missiles only works on physical missiles that are fired from a weapon. The name may be deceiving, but Eldritch Blast is a spell, pure and simple.

Understanding Deflect Missiles

To further clarify, let’s explore the nuances of the Monk’s Deflect Missiles ability. The key limitations are:

Ranged Weapon Attack: The ability specifically states it must be a ranged weapon attack that involves a projectile. This excludes spells and other effects that don’t use weapons.
Physical Missile: The ability allows the Monk to catch the missile if the damage is reduced to 0 and if the missile is small enough to hold in one hand. This clause highlights the intention of deflecting a physical object.
Reaction: Using Deflect Missiles consumes the Monk’s reaction, limiting its use to once per round.

Understanding Eldritch Blast

Eldritch Blast is a cantrip available to Warlocks, and it’s arguably one of the most powerful and versatile cantrips in the game. It’s not a weapon attack; it’s a ranged spell attack.

Ranged Spell Attack: Eldritch Blast requires a spell attack roll against a target. This signifies it is magic, not a physical projectile.
Force Damage: It deals force damage, which is one of the least resisted damage types in the game.
Multiple Beams: As the Warlock levels up, Eldritch Blast fires multiple beams, allowing them to target multiple creatures or focus fire on a single target.
Customization via Invocations: The true power of Eldritch Blast lies in the Eldritch Invocations that can enhance it, such as Agonizing Blast (adding Charisma modifier to damage) and Repelling Blast (pushing enemies back).

Alternative Defenses

While Deflect Missiles won’t work against Eldritch Blast, Monks aren’t helpless. Other defensive options include:

Saving Throws: Some spells or magical effects might allow a saving throw to avoid or reduce the effect. Although, Eldritch Blast requires an attack roll, so no saving throw is involved.
Armor Class (AC): A high AC can help avoid being hit by the spell attack roll in the first place.
Spells and Abilities: Spells like Shield or abilities that grant resistance to force damage can mitigate the damage from Eldritch Blast.
Mobility: Utilizing the Monk’s high mobility to stay out of range or behind cover is a great tactic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a Monk deflect Magic Missile?

No. Similar to Eldritch Blast, Magic Missile is a spell that creates magical darts. These darts are not physical projectiles that can be deflected. Uncanny dodge would not work against Magic Missile, as it isn’t an Attack, as no attack roll is made.

2. What types of projectiles can a Monk deflect?

Monks can deflect physical ranged weapon attacks using projectiles like: Arrows, Bolts, Darts, Sling Ammunition, Bullets, Throwing Daggers, Throwing Axes, and Thrown Javelins. Of course a monk can only throw the weapon back if the damage is reduced to zero and the Missile is small enough to be held in one hand.

3. Does Eldritch Blast require an attack roll?

Yes, Eldritch Blast requires a ranged spell attack roll. The caster rolls a d20, adds their spellcasting modifier (usually Charisma for Warlocks), and compares the result to the target’s Armor Class (AC).

4. Is Eldritch Blast considered a weapon attack?

No, Eldritch Blast is a spell attack, not a weapon attack. This distinction is crucial for determining which abilities and features can be used with it.

5. Why is Eldritch Blast considered one of the best cantrips?

Eldritch Blast is a spell that on its own is little better than the wizard cantrip Fire Bolt. A warlock can stack buffs on it (mostly through Eldritch Invocations but also through the Hex spell and subclass features) until it turns into a monster. It is considered one of the best cantrips because of its customizability via Eldritch Invocations like Agonizing Blast and its ability to target multiple enemies at higher levels.

6. Can you use the Crusher feat with Eldritch Blast?

Genie’s Wrath – any attack we make deals bludgeoning damage. This means we can apply the Crusher feat to push creatures 5 feet in any direction with our Eldritch Blast.

7. Can you Twin Spell Eldritch Blast?

Pg 102 of the Player Handbook says that Twin can be used “When you cast a spell that targets only one creature…”. Eldritch Blast when cast by a 1st-4th level character is only able to target a single creature and can thus be twinned.

8. Is there a way to cast Eldritch Blast multiple times in a single turn?

Yes. You use one action to cast Eldritch Blast. You then use action surge, and cast Eldritch Blast again with your second action. You then use quicken spell metamagic to cast Eldritch Blast for a third time, as a bonus action.

9. Can you target yourself with Eldritch Blast?

You can attack yourself with Eldritch Blast, though the DM may veto it. You can’t push yourself away from yourself though.

10. Can Eldritch Blast hit allies?

Only if you use optional Hitting Cover rules from DMG. You have some leniency. In 5e a creature grants the target half cover. Some DM’s rule that if you crit fail then you hit your allies.

11. Can you cast Hex and Eldritch Blast in the same turn?

You CANNOT cast Hex and Quicken Spell Eldritch Blast on the same turn. You CANNOT use Hexblade’s Curse and Quicken Spell Eldritch Blast on the same turn.

12. Can Eldritch Blast hit more than one target?

You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam.

13. Does the Form of Dread feature work with Eldritch Blast?

Form of Dread works with any attack roll, so if you want to stay in the back and spam Eldritch Blast, you can do that as well – in which case I’d pick a different Pact.

14. Can you learn Eldritch Blast without being a Warlock?

Yes you do. That’s what the feat is saying. The feat makes available to non-warlocks those invocations that have no prerequisites. It also makes available to warlocks one additional invocation, so long as they meet that invocation’s prerequisites.

15. What’s the best way to maximize damage output with Eldritch Blast?

Raw Eldritch Blast damage is boosted with the agonizing blast Eldritch Invocation, which grants your Charisma modifier as a bonus to damage. As a Charisma-based caster, this is double-dipping and hence awesome. The other invocations revolving around Eldritch Blast are good, but don’t boost damage.

Conclusion

While the Monk’s Deflect Missiles ability is a powerful tool for negating physical projectiles, it’s not effective against magical effects like Eldritch Blast. Understanding the specific mechanics and limitations of each ability is crucial for making informed tactical decisions in D&D. Remember to consult the Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide for complete rules and interpretations. These detailed mechanics demonstrate some of the value of learning through games, and for more insight in this area, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Can you deflect Eldritch Blast?