Does Eldritch Blast Scale Well? A Warlock’s Guide to Scalability
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The short answer is a resounding yes, Eldritch Blast scales exceptionally well, making it one of the most potent and reliable damage-dealing options available to Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Its scaling isn’t just about increasing damage dice; it’s about increasing the number of attacks, which opens up a world of synergistic possibilities.
Understanding Eldritch Blast’s Scaling Mechanics
Eldritch Blast is a cantrip, and like all cantrips, its power scales with your overall character level, not just your Warlock level. This means even if you multiclass, Eldritch Blast will become stronger as you gain levels in any class. The scaling occurs at specific level breakpoints:
- Levels 1-4: You cast a single beam of Eldritch Blast.
- Levels 5-10: You cast two beams of Eldritch Blast.
- Levels 11-16: You cast three beams of Eldritch Blast.
- Levels 17-20: You cast four beams of Eldritch Blast.
Each beam requires a separate attack roll, and each deals 1d10 force damage on a hit. What truly makes Eldritch Blast shine, however, are the Eldritch Invocations that can augment it.
The Power of Invocations: Agonizing Blast and Beyond
The Agonizing Blast invocation is almost universally considered essential for any damage-focused Warlock. It allows you to add your Charisma modifier to the damage of each beam of Eldritch Blast that hits. This effectively doubles the damage potential when combined with a high Charisma score, making it far more potent than most other cantrips.
Other notable invocations that enhance Eldritch Blast include:
- Repelling Blast: Allows you to push creatures 10 feet away with each hit, offering battlefield control and tactical advantages.
- Grasp of Hadar: Pulls creatures 10 feet closer to you on a hit.
- Eldritch Spear: Increases the range of Eldritch Blast to 300 feet, offering incredible reach.
Why Eldritch Blast’s Scaling is Superior
The reason Eldritch Blast stands out is because its scaling is based on the number of attacks, not just increased damage dice. This has several advantages:
- Synergy with Effects: Each beam can trigger effects like Hex, Hunter’s Mark (if multiclassed), or other damage riders, multiplying their impact.
- Higher Chance to Hit: Multiple attack rolls increase the likelihood of landing at least some hits, even against high-AC targets.
- Flexibility: You can target multiple enemies with your beams, spreading damage or focusing on a single target.
- Control: Invocations like Repelling Blast allow you to manipulate the battlefield with each successful hit.
Maximizing Eldritch Blast’s Potential
To truly optimize Eldritch Blast, consider these strategies:
- Maximize Charisma: Prioritize increasing your Charisma score to improve attack rolls, damage (with Agonizing Blast), and spell save DCs.
- Choose Synergistic Spells: Combine Eldritch Blast with spells like Hex or Armor of Agathys for added damage or defensive capabilities.
- Strategic Positioning: Utilize Repelling Blast to create distance, control enemy movement, and protect yourself or your allies.
- Consider Feats: Spell Sniper can double the range of Eldritch Blast (especially potent with Eldritch Spear), and other feats can improve your survivability or damage output.
- Explore Multiclassing: A two-level dip into Fighter for Action Surge allows you to cast Eldritch Blast twice in a single turn, significantly boosting your damage output in a critical moment.
Eldritch Blast: More Than Just a Cantrip
Eldritch Blast isn’t just a damage cantrip; it’s a versatile and customizable tool that can be adapted to various playstyles and party compositions. Its scalability, combined with the potent Eldritch Invocations, makes it a cornerstone of the Warlock class, offering consistent damage output, battlefield control, and synergistic opportunities. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, mastering Eldritch Blast is key to unlocking the Warlock’s full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Eldritch Blast damage scale?
Yes, Eldritch Blast damage scales based on your overall character level. At levels 5, 11, and 17, you gain an additional beam, each dealing 1d10 force damage. Plus, with the Agonizing Blast invocation, you add your Charisma modifier to each beam’s damage.
2. Does Eldritch Blast scale with Charisma?
Yes, indirectly. The Agonizing Blast invocation allows you to add your Charisma modifier to the damage of each Eldritch Blast beam that hits. High Charisma also improves your attack rolls with the spell.
3. Which stat does Eldritch Blast use when grabbing it from the Spell Sniper feat?
Eldritch Blast always uses Charisma as its spellcasting ability, regardless of how you acquired the spell. This is because it’s inherently a Warlock spell.
4. Can you quicken Eldritch Blast?
Yes, if you have the Sorcerer’s Metamagic feature, you can use Quicken Spell to cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action.
5. Does Hex affect Eldritch Blast?
Absolutely. Hex adds 1d6 necrotic damage to each Eldritch Blast beam that hits, significantly increasing your damage output.
6. Can you curve Eldritch Blast?
The rules do not explicitly state you can curve it, the general understanding is that Eldritch Blast streaks to a creature within range (120 ft). If you are aware of the target but cannot see it, you can still target it, but you may be at disadvantage.
7. Can Eldritch Blast be twinned?
Only at levels 1-4 when it only targets a single creature. Once it can target multiple creatures, it cannot be twinned by a Sorcerer.
8. Can I cast Hex and Eldritch Blast in the same turn?
Yes. You can cast Hex as a bonus action and Eldritch Blast as your action in the same turn.
9. Can you cast two Eldritch Blasts in one turn?
Yes. You can use Action Surge (from the Fighter class or a similar ability) to take an additional action, allowing you to cast Eldritch Blast twice.
10. Can Eldritch Blast hit a Tarrasque?
While you can technically target a Tarrasque with Eldritch Blast, its Reflective Carapace ability can deflect the beams back at you on a 5 in 6 chance.
11. Does powerful cantrip work with Eldritch Blast?
As long as the NPC is in the range of 5ft. of the Warlock it can. However this is up to the DM.
12. Do I roll for Eldritch Blast?
Yes, you roll a separate attack roll for each beam of Eldritch Blast. If a beam hits, you then roll damage for that beam (1d10 + Charisma modifier with Agonizing Blast).
13. Should Hexblades take Eldritch Blast?
Yes. Even for Hexblades, Eldritch Blast remains a valuable ranged option and benefits from invocations like Agonizing Blast.
14. Is Eldritch Blast disadvantage at close range?
You do not suffer disadvantage for casting Eldritch Blast within 5 feet of an enemy, as it is a ranged spell attack, not a ranged weapon attack.
15. How do you cast Eldritch Blast 3 times?
To cast Eldritch Blast three times in one turn: use your Action to cast Eldritch Blast, Action Surge (from a Fighter dip) to cast it again, and then Quicken Spell (Sorcerer Metamagic) to cast it a third time as a bonus action.
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