Do Warlocks Get Eldritch Blast? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Warlocks get Eldritch Blast. It’s not just a spell they can learn, it’s practically a defining feature of the class. In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), Eldritch Blast is a cantrip that is exclusive to the Warlock class, meaning it’s part of their default spellcasting repertoire and readily available from level one. This potent ranged attack has become synonymous with the Warlock, loved for its reliability and potential for customization. While other classes might find ways to occasionally access it, Eldritch Blast is, at its core, a Warlock’s weapon.
Why is Eldritch Blast Synonymous with Warlocks?
The bond between Warlocks and Eldritch Blast is more than just a matter of class features; it’s steeped in the history of the game and its mechanics. Previously, in earlier editions of D&D, spells used a limited number of spell slots. Eldritch Blast was a unique, at-will ability granted only to Warlocks, differentiating them from other spellcasters who had to carefully manage their spells per encounter. When 5e introduced the concept of cantrips—spells that can be cast without using slots—Eldritch Blast transitioned to a cantrip, but it remained exclusively within the Warlock’s spell list. This historical connection cemented its place as a core element of the class fantasy.
The Power of Eldritch Blast
While Eldritch Blast is a cantrip, and therefore might be considered weaker than leveled spells, its true power lies in its versatility and potential for synergy. On its own, it’s a reliable ranged attack that scales with your overall character level, not just your Warlock level, meaning that it remains powerful as your character progresses. However, the real strength of Eldritch Blast emerges through Warlock Invocations. These invocations, which can be selected by the Warlock as they level, significantly enhance the cantrip’s effectiveness, turning it into a formidable tool of destruction, utility, and control. Some of the most popular invocations linked to Eldritch Blast include Agonizing Blast, which adds the caster’s Charisma modifier to each damage roll, and Repelling Blast, which allows the caster to push enemies away with each hit. These enhancements make Eldritch Blast one of the most sought-after offensive cantrips in 5e.
Eldritch Blast and Class Options
It’s important to note that all Warlock subclasses, including the popular Hexblade, get access to Eldritch Blast. The spell itself doesn’t change depending on your subclass, but how you enhance it, via invocations, and how you use it in combination with your subclass abilities are where you find character definition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eldritch Blast
1. Can non-Warlocks learn Eldritch Blast?
While Eldritch Blast is primarily a Warlock cantrip, it is not entirely exclusive. A Bard, through their Magical Secrets feature at level 10, can learn the spell. However, they cannot take the associated Warlock invocations, severely limiting the spell’s full potential. This makes Eldritch Blast far more effective when wielded by a Warlock.
2. Does Eldritch Blast Scale With Warlock Level?
No. Like all cantrips, Eldritch Blast scales with your total character level, not just your Warlock level. This means that regardless of how many Warlock levels you have, the number of beams and damage of your Eldritch Blast will increase as you level up in any class.
3. Is Eldritch Blast The Strongest Cantrip?
Not in terms of initial damage output. Some cantrips, like Fire Bolt, can deal more damage with a single roll. The true power of Eldritch Blast lies in its multiple attacks and synergistic effects from invocations. Its versatility, reliability and flexibility with enhancements makes it extremely competitive in power.
4. Do You Have To Choose Eldritch Blast As A Warlock?
No, you do not. While it’s a powerful and often-chosen cantrip, Warlocks are not obligated to select Eldritch Blast. There are plenty of other cantrips and spells that may be preferred, especially if you are taking a non-traditional melee build with a Pact of the Blade.
5. Can You Use Eldritch Blast Multiple Times Per Turn?
Normally, a character can only take one action per turn. Eldritch Blast is cast as an action, meaning it’s usually limited to once per turn. However, certain abilities can allow casting Eldritch Blast more than once in a turn. For example, a sorcerer with metamagic could use Quicken Spell to cast a bonus action Eldritch Blast. Additionally, a Fighter with Action Surge could take another action to cast it again, though this is limited to once per short or long rest.
6. Can You Move Between Eldritch Blast Attacks?
Yes. You can break up your movement around taking the action to cast Eldritch Blast. For example, you can move some of your speed, cast Eldritch Blast, and then move the rest of your speed.
7. Can You Cast Two Cantrips in One Turn?
Yes, under certain conditions. If you cast a spell as a bonus action, the only other spells you can cast on that same turn must be cantrips with a casting time of one action.
8. Can You Cast Hex And Eldritch Blast On The Same Turn?
Yes, you can cast Hex as a bonus action and Eldritch Blast as an action on the same turn. There are no restrictions that prevent this combination. However, you cannot Quicken Spell a Hexed Eldritch Blast.
9. Why Is Eldritch Blast Considered Better Than Fire Bolt?
The advantage of Eldritch Blast largely stems from the invocations it can synergize with. While Fire Bolt deals higher initial damage, the ability to add your Charisma modifier to each beam of Eldritch Blast via the Agonizing Blast invocation can quickly surpass the damage of Fire Bolt. Additionally, its force damage type and multiple attack rolls are advantageous in various situations.
10. Can You Get Agonizing Blast Without Being A Warlock?
No. The Agonizing Blast invocation has a prerequisite: you must have the Eldritch Blast spell and you must be a Warlock. As non-warlocks only rarely gain Eldritch Blast and even less commonly find an invocation feat, it’s safe to say that only Warlocks have access to agonizing blast.
11. Can Eldritch Blast Be Twinned?
Yes, when cast by a 1st-4th level character, Eldritch Blast only targets a single creature, making it eligible for the Twinned Spell metamagic option from sorcerer. Once you have multiple beams, however, it no longer qualifies for twinning.
12. Why Is Eldritch Blast a Cantrip?
It’s a cantrip to reflect its “at-will” nature, meaning it can be cast as often as desired without expending spell slots. This is a direct nod to its original design as a consistent Warlock ability, even before cantrips were officially established.
13. Can You Quicken Eldritch Blast?
Yes, a Sorcerer or multiclass character with sorcerer levels can use their Quicken Spell metamagic to cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action. However, you must have sorcery points and you cannot quicken a spell and cast it as a regular action on the same turn.
14. Can Eldritch Blast Hit an Object?
Officially, rules as written, Eldritch Blast cannot target objects, unless they have an explicit effect that allows for it like Firebolt. This is, however, up to the interpretation of the Dungeon Master and they may choose to allow it.
15. Can Eldritch Blast Hit Allies?
Eldritch Blast can hit allies if you utilize the optional rule from the Dungeon Master’s Guide that allows creatures to provide half cover to other creatures in the same space or close enough.
Conclusion
Eldritch Blast is more than just a spell for Warlocks; it’s a core component of their identity and a testament to their unique class mechanics. Its consistent damage output, coupled with the customization available through invocations, solidifies its place as one of the most potent and reliable cantrips in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, understanding the nuances of Eldritch Blast is essential for mastering the Warlock class.