Does Eldritch Blast Go Through Wall of Force? A Definitive Guide

The short answer is a resounding no. Eldritch Blast, like most spells that involve a projectile or beam, cannot pass through a Wall of Force. This is because Wall of Force explicitly states that nothing physical can pass through it. Eldritch Blast, despite being a force effect, is delivered as a discrete beam or series of beams, making it a physical projectile for the purposes of interacting with the Wall of Force spell. Trying to target creatures on the other side of a Wall of Force with Eldritch Blast is a futile endeavor.

Understanding the Interaction: Wall of Force and Targeted Spells

The core mechanic at play is the total cover provided by a Wall of Force. The spell description, “Nothing can physically pass through the wall,” makes it abundantly clear. If a spell requires a clear path to the target, and that path is blocked by a Wall of Force, the spell fails to affect the target. Eldritch Blast, reliant on line of sight and unimpeded trajectory for each beam, is fundamentally countered by the wall’s presence. The beams stop dead.

Furthermore, the spellcasting rules firmly state that you can’t target a creature behind total cover unless a spell explicitly states it can bypass such cover. Eldritch Blast has no such clause. Therefore, any creature fully behind a Wall of Force enjoys complete protection from this Warlock staple.

Bypassing the Impassable: Circumventing the Wall of Force

While Eldritch Blast itself is ineffective, clever players might consider ways to circumvent the Wall of Force altogether. Consider these tactical approaches:

• Teleportation: Teleportation effects like Misty Step, Dimension Door, and Teleport allow you to move yourself or others to the other side of the wall, setting up more favorable casting positions.

• Area of Effect (AoE) Spells: While direct targeting is blocked, certain area-of-effect spells with large radii might be able to affect creatures around the wall, indirectly. This is dependent on the spell and the specific terrain.

• Spellcasters Inside: If an ally spellcaster is already inside the Wall of Force, they can target creatures outside with Eldritch Blast or other spells freely (assuming they also have line of sight).

• Dispelling or Destroying the Wall: Though resistant, Wall of Force isn’t invincible. A well-placed Disintegrate spell instantly eliminates it. Certain artifacts like a sphere of annihilation or a rod of cancellation also provide instant destruction. Furthermore, a Mage’s Disjunction can also dispel it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a Warlock see through a Wall of Force?

Yes, the Wall of Force is invisible. While it blocks physical passage and targeted spells, it doesn’t obscure vision. You can clearly see what’s on the other side.

2. Does Wall of Force block all spells?

No, Wall of Force primarily blocks spells that require a direct path or target a creature. Spells that don’t target or create effects on the wall itself still operate normally. Some Divination Spells are also viable.

3. Can you Counterspell a spell cast through a Wall of Force?

RAW, no. Counterspell targets the creature casting the spell. The spellcasting rules say you can’t target a creature behind total cover. A creature fully behind a Wall of Force has total cover.

4. Can you summon a creature inside a Wall of Force?

Yes, you can summon a creature on the other side of the wall or within a dome created by Wall of Force. The summoned creature simply appears there. However, once the wall is in place, you cannot summon creatures through it.

5. Does Wall of Force block sound?

This is up to the Dungeon Master. Wall of Force might be considered to block vibrations, hence blocking sound. If you aren’t completely enclosed, you can communicate by relying on other spaces.

6. Can you use Misty Step to get into or out of a Wall of Force?

Yes! Teleportation spells like Misty Step bypass the wall entirely. You can freely teleport into or out of the area enclosed by the wall.

7. Can a Fireball pass through a Wall of Force?

No. Because the spell travels from the caster to the target, it would be stopped by the wall.

8. Can you make a Wall of Force permanent?

Yes! The Wall of Force can be made permanent with a permanency spell.

9. Can a Sphere of Annihilation go through a Wall of Force?

A sphere of annihilation instantly destroys a wall of force.

10. Can I cast Vicious Mockery through a Wall of Force?

Anything behind the wall is going to have total cover, and spells can’t target anything behind total cover unless the spell says so. That rules out vicious mockery.

11. Does Blink allow you to pass through a Wall of Force?

No. You can’t move through a wall of force. You can teleport through a wall of force. Blink allows you to reappear within 10 feet of somewhere you can see on the material plane.

12. Can you Teleport out of a Bead of Force?

Yes, you can teleport into or out of the sphere. Teleports utilize travel through the astral plane, which the sphere’s walls do not extend into.

13. Can Wall of Force contain a Huge creature?

Okay, so if the wall of force cuts through a creature space, you can push that creature to one of the sides of the wall.

14. Can you use Wall of Force as a bridge?

You can shape the wall’s path, placing each 5 feet of the wall on the border between squares. The wall doesn’t need to stand vertically, so you can use it to form a bridge or set of stairs, for example.

15. Can you Dispel Magic on Wall of Force?

A wall of force is immune to dispel magic, although a mage’s disjunction can still dispel it.

Conclusion: Mastering the Tactical Implications

While a Wall of Force effectively nullifies a direct Eldritch Blast assault, understanding its limitations is crucial for both players and Dungeon Masters. This spell creates a tactical bottleneck, forcing creative problem-solving and strategic maneuvering. Knowing what can and cannot pass through a Wall of Force allows for clever utilization and effective countermeasures, elevating the complexity and excitement of your D&D game. Learning about D&D strategies in fun and engaging ways is something that Games Learning Society promotes on its website, GamesLearningSociety.org.