Unleashing Double the Doom: Mastering the Art of Two Eldritch Blasts
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So, you want to double down on the doom and unleash a barrage of Eldritch Blasts like a true master of the arcane? Excellent choice! The Warlock’s signature cantrip is powerful on its own, but the ability to cast it twice in a single turn elevates its destructive potential exponentially. Here’s the straightforward answer:
The primary method for casting two Eldritch Blasts in a single turn relies on a combination of Sorcerer Metamagic and either multi-classing into Warlock or taking the Magic Initiate feat. Specifically, you’ll need the Quicken Spell Metamagic option. This allows a Sorcerer (or a Sorcerer multi-class) to expend two Sorcery Points to cast a spell with a casting time of one action as a bonus action. Since Eldritch Blast is a cantrip with a casting time of one action, you can cast it as an action and then again as a bonus action using Quicken Spell.
Let’s delve deeper into the strategies and considerations for achieving this double-barreled blast of arcane energy.
Sorcerer and Warlock: A Synergistic Partnership
The most common, and arguably most powerful, approach involves multi-classing as a Sorcerer. Dipping into Warlock allows you to acquire Eldritch Blast, while the Sorcerer levels provide access to the crucial Quicken Spell Metamagic. The number of levels you take in each class will depend on your desired balance of power and features.
Optimizing Your Build: Finding the Right Balance
- Warlock 2 / Sorcerer X: This build prioritizes Sorcerer levels for spellcasting progression and Sorcery Points. The two levels in Warlock grant Eldritch Blast, the invaluable Agonizing Blast invocation (adding your Charisma modifier to each beam’s damage), and another invocation of your choosing.
- Warlock 3 / Sorcerer X: Taking a third level in Warlock grants you a Pact Boon, offering additional utility and customization options. However, this further delays your Sorcerer spellcasting progression.
- Warlock X / Sorcerer X: A more even split between the two classes sacrifices high-level spell slots but grants access to more Warlock features, such as higher-level invocations and potentially a powerful Pact Boon.
Alternative Route: Magic Initiate Feat
If multi-classing isn’t your style, the Magic Initiate feat offers another pathway to acquiring Eldritch Blast on a Sorcerer. This feat allows you to learn two cantrips and one 1st-level spell from another class’s spell list. By selecting Warlock, you can obtain Eldritch Blast and another Warlock cantrip.
However, this approach has limitations. Unlike multi-classing, you won’t benefit from Warlock invocations like Agonizing Blast, significantly reducing the damage potential of your Eldritch Blast. The 1st-level spell can provide some utility, but ultimately, this method is less optimal than multi-classing for maximizing Eldritch Blast damage.
Maximizing Your Eldritch Blast Potential
Once you have access to Eldritch Blast and Quicken Spell, there are several ways to further enhance its effectiveness.
Agonizing Blast: The Cornerstone Invocation
For Warlocks, Agonizing Blast is an absolute must-have. This invocation adds your Charisma modifier to the damage of each beam of your Eldritch Blast, dramatically increasing its damage output. This is why even a small Warlock dip is so potent for a Sorcerer.
Spell Sniper: Extending Your Reach
The Spell Sniper feat increases the range of your spell attacks and ignores half and three-quarters cover. While not essential, this can be a valuable addition, especially in open combat scenarios.
Hex and Hexblade’s Curse: Amplifying Your Damage
Combining Eldritch Blast with spells like Hex or Hexblade’s Curse (if you have Hexblade levels) can further amplify your damage output. Hex adds extra necrotic damage to each hit, while Hexblade’s Curse grants you a bonus to damage rolls and increases your critical hit range against the cursed target.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Eldritch Blast
Here are some frequently asked questions about Eldritch Blast, addressing common misconceptions and providing clarity on its mechanics.
1. At what level do I get multiple beams with Eldritch Blast?
You gain additional beams as you level up. Eldritch Blast creates two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct these beams at the same target or different ones.
2. Can I cast two Eldritch Blasts as a Warlock without Sorcerer levels?
No, Warlocks do not naturally have a way to cast two spells in one turn. The Quicken Spell Metamagic from the Sorcerer class is required to cast Eldritch Blast as a bonus action.
3. Can I use Action Surge to cast Eldritch Blast twice?
Yes, if you multi-class into Fighter and gain access to the Action Surge feature, you can use your action to cast Eldritch Blast, then use Action Surge to gain another action and cast it again. However, this still does not allow for more than two Eldritch Blasts in a single turn, as Quicken Spell offers an additional method via a bonus action.
4. Can I Twin Eldritch Blast?
At levels 1-4, Eldritch Blast only targets a single creature. Therefore, you can use the Twinned Spell Metamagic to target two creatures. However, at level 5+, when Eldritch Blast creates multiple beams, it cannot be twinned.
5. Is Eldritch Blast the best cantrip in the game?
That’s debatable, but it’s certainly a strong contender. Eldritch Blast stands out because it scales with additional attacks rather than increased damage dice, and it’s highly customizable through invocations like Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast. For warlocks it often is considered the best cantrip.
6. Is there a feat that directly buffs Eldritch Blast?
While there isn’t a feat that specifically targets Eldritch Blast, the Spell Sniper feat benefits any spell attack that requires a ranged attack roll.
7. Can I cast Hex and Quicken Spell Eldritch Blast on the same turn?
Yes, you can. Hex requires a bonus action to cast. You can cast Hex as a bonus action, then cast Eldritch Blast as an action. On subsequent turns, you can cast Eldritch Blast as your action and Quicken Spell Eldritch Blast as a bonus action.
8. What is the maximum range of Eldritch Blast?
The default range of Eldritch Blast is 120 feet. However, the Eldritch Spear invocation increases the range to a staggering 300 feet.
9. Can I move between firing the beams of Eldritch Blast?
Yes, you can break up your movement. You can move, fire some beams of Eldritch Blast, move again, and fire the remaining beams.
10. Does Powerful Cantrip work with Eldritch Blast?
The feat “Powerful Cantrip” from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything works well with Eldritch Blast if you have a way to inflict conditions on the target that impose disadvantage on saving throws (such as from the spell Slow). You will need to select a cantrip to affect creatures that succeed on a saving throw, so it cannot affect Eldritch Blast, which uses attack rolls.
11. What cantrip does the most damage?
Fire Bolt and Eldritch Blast are the most damaging cantrips. Fire Bolt does 1d10 Fire damage, while Eldritch Blast does 1d10 force damage per blast, and can be enhanced by the Agonizing Blast invocation.
12. Can Eldritch Blast hit a Tarrasque?
While you can target a Tarrasque with Eldritch Blast, the Tarrasque’s Reflective Carapace ability makes it a risky proposition. On a roll of 6 on the saving throw, the Eldritch Blast is reflected back at the caster.
13. Can cantrips be cast infinitely?
Yes, unless a specific feature states otherwise, you can cast any cantrip you know at will, an unlimited number of times.
14. Does the Hexblade subclass force me to use melee attacks?
No, the Hexblade subclass enhances your melee capabilities, but it doesn’t force you to fight in melee. You can still sling Eldritch Blasts as effectively as any other Warlock.
15. Can Eldritch Blast go around corners?
The spell doesn’t explicitly state it requires line of sight, only that it strikes a creature within range. A lenient DM might allow you to target a creature you are aware of, even if you can’t directly see it, implying that the blast could curve or turn slightly to reach the target.
Conclusion: Mastering the Double Blast
Unleashing two Eldritch Blasts in a single turn is a powerful tactic that can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness. Whether you choose to multi-class into Sorcerer or utilize the Magic Initiate feat, mastering this technique will transform you into a force to be reckoned with. Remember to carefully consider your build and optimize your invocations and feats to maximize your damage output. Now go forth and unleash the double doom!
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