Overview
Stat Block
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Level | 0 |
| School | Evocation |
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Range | 120 feet |
| Components | V, S |
| Material | None |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Concentration | No |
| Ritual | No |
| Save/Attack | ranged |
| Classes | Warlock |
When NOT to Use This
- •Enemy within 5ft and you lack melee (use opportunity attack or disengage; EB provokes).
- •Party needs your action for group control like Hunger of Hadar (EB single-target limits).
- •Silenced area or anti-magic field (V component fails; wastes turn).
- •High-AC flying foes out of melee range for allies (blinded by low hit chance; use net/Fireball).
- •Concentration spells dropped mid-fight (EB instant but misses setup like Fly for positioning).
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Eldritch Blast vs fire bolt
| When to Use | Eldritch Blast | fire bolt |
|---|
| Best When | Warlock play (Agonizing Blast adds CHA to each beam for avg +5.5 dmg per beam) or need force damage (few resistances vs fire's common ones); 120ft range matches but EB scales to 4 beams (avg 22) vs Fire Bolt's single d10. | Non-Warlock casters without invocations; Fire Bolt works for any class and ignites flammables. |
Verdict: Eldritch Blast crushes Fire Bolt for Warlocks; pick EB if you can.
Eldritch Blast vs scorching ray
| When to Use | Eldritch Blast | scorching ray |
|---|
| Best When | Cantrip economy (infinite vs 2nd-level slot); sustained fights where slots matter; force typing. | Burst nova at low levels (3 rays avg 19.5 vs EB's 5.5 at lv1); non-Warlock burst. |
Verdict: EB wins long-term; Scorching Ray for slot-dump spikes.
Eldritch Blast vs magic missile
| When to Use | Eldritch Blast | magic missile |
|---|
| Best When | Attack roll allows beating high AC (avg hit 60-70% vs auto-hit); split beams for multi-target; no slots. | Guaranteed damage vs high-AC bosses (avg 10.5 at lv1 vs EB's ~3-4); force but unerring. |
Verdict: EB overtakes by lv5 with scaling; Magic Missile for insurance.
Spell Slot Efficiency
| Metric | Assessment |
|---|
| Slot Efficiency | Perfect - level 0 cantrip, unlimited casts, no upcasting needed. |
| Action Economy | Excellent |
| Opportunity Cost | Minimal; beats other cantrips long-term, trades only for bonus action spells or utility like Healing Word. |
When worth the slot: Always free; core rotation Lv1-20.
When NOT worth the slot: Never slots it, but skip action if Eldritch Smite/Hexblade's Curse procs better DPR.
Pro Tips (Veteran Secrets)
Tip #1: Always take Agonizing Blast invocation first - adds CHA mod to each beam's damage.
Why veterans know this: Turns avg 5.5/beam into 10.5+ at CHA 20; multiplies DPR massively (lv20: avg 44 with +5 CHA).
This avoids the mistake of: Newbies skip it thinking base EB suffices; wastes turns on mediocre damage.
Tip #2: Split beams against groups of low-HP minions; focus boss only if adds are dead.
Why veterans know this: Each beam independent roll - clears chaff faster than single-target dumps (e.g., 3 beams hit 3 goblins reliably).
This avoids the mistake of: Tunnel vision on boss lets minions overwhelm party.
Tip #3: Use Repelling Blast to reposition enemies into hazards or ally melee range.
Why veterans know this: Pushes 10ft per beam (40ft total at lv17); combos with Spike Growth or pits for free damage.
This avoids the mistake of: Forgetting invocations make EB a control tool, not just damage.
Tip #4: Hex first, then EB - extra 1d6 necrotic per beam hit.
Why veterans know this: Bonus action setup adds ~3.5/beam (lv20: +14); target ability hurts casters/STR foes.
This avoids the mistake of: Casting Hex then switching spells; EB maximizes the debuff.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Dumping all beams on one target every fight.
Why it's bad: Wastes multi-target potential; single high-HP boss shrugs off ~22 dmg while minions chip party.
Do this instead: Assess battlefield - split vs 3+ foes under 20HP each; focus if boss <100HP and no adds.
Forgetting verbal component in stealth/silence.
Why it's bad: V spell breaks invis/stealth; silenced Warlock = dead weight.
Do this instead: Position 120ft away pre-stealth; carry Silence counter like Dispel or switch to bow.
Upcasting irrelevant since cantrip.
Why it's bad: No effect - wastes mental energy; confuses new players.
Do this instead: Embrace cantrip life; slots for Hexblade Curse/Smiting.
Ignoring AC scaling - assuming always hits.
Why it's bad: Boss AC 18+ drops hit chance to 35% at +7 to hit; DPR tanks.
Do this instead: Track enemy AC; fallback to Shatter/Armor of Agathys if <40% hit.
Tactical Modules
- •Boss Shredder — When to use: Single elite with <200HP, no adds; all beams + Hex + Curse.. Synergy: Agonizing/Thirsting Blade for Action Surge-like turns.
- •Minion Mower — When to use: 3-6 weak foes (goblins/zombies); split beams.. Synergy: Grasp of Hadar to cluster them first.
- •Kite & Repel — When to use: Melee swarm or boss charge; push 10ft/beam.. Synergy: Spike Growth/Wall of Fire for terrain killzones.
- •Debuff Maximizer — When to use: Casters/STR bosses; Hex CON/DEX.. Synergy: Eldritch Smite on crits for prone/immobile.
Countermeasures
- •Threat: High AC (18+) bosses — Response: Hex attack roll? No, but pump CHA/Elven Accuracy; add Bless.. Fallback: Switch to Arms of Hadar or sword if <30% hit.
- •Threat: Force resistance (rare: helmed horror) — Response: Few resist; swap to Fire Bolt or Shatter.. Fallback: Utility cantrip like Minor Illusion distract.
- •Threat: Legendary actions/dodges — Response: Split beams overwhelm reactions; force multiple saves/rolls.. Fallback: Hold for ally setup like Restrain.
- •Threat: Crowded allies blocking LOS — Response: Repel self/foes or Misty Step.. Fallback: AoE like Eldritch Cannon.
Frequently Asked Questions
is eldritch blast good 5e
Yes, excellent for Warlocks - scales to 4d10 force (avg 22) at lv17, infinite casts. Core of every EB build; mediocre without Agonizing Blast. Beats most cantrips DPR long-term.
eldritch blast damage 5e
1d10 force per beam (avg 5.5); 1 beam lv1-4, 2 at lv5 (11), 3 at lv11 (16.5), 4 at lv17 (22). +CHA with Agonizing: doubles to avg 44 at max. Separate rolls per beam.
can you twin eldritch blast 5e
No, Twinned Spell requires single-target spell affecting one creature; EB can multi-target even at lv1 RAW. Metamagic doesn't work on it. Use for single-beam cantrips like Chromatic Orb.
does eldritch blast work underwater 5e
Yes, ranged spell attack unaffected by water (unlike weapons); force energy ignores medium. 120ft range works fine. Great vs sahuagin.
eldritch blast vs fire bolt 5e
EB superior: force resist rare vs fire common; Warlock invocations boost each beam. Fire Bolt for other classes. EB avg 22+ at lv17 vs Fire Bolt's 5.5.
best invocations for eldritch blast 5e
Agonizing Blast #1 (CHA/damage), Repelling #2 (control), Grasp of Hadar #3 (pull). Ignore damage-only later; control wins fights. Thirsting if Pact of Blade.
does hex work with eldritch blast 5e
Yes, +1d6 necrotic per beam hit (choose ability); bonus action worth it for +3.5/beam. RAW stacks multiple Hex if multi-class, but single target usually.
eldritch blast range 5e
120 feet per beam; line of effect needed per shot. Split to different targets within range. No disadvantage prone/climb unlike weapons.
Related Content
- •Agonizing Blast Invocation (Synergy) —
agonizing-blast
- •Hex (Synergy) —
hex
- •Repelling Blast Invocation (Synergy) —
repelling-blast
- •Fire Bolt (Alternative) —
fire-bolt
- •Scorching Ray (Upgrade) —
scorching-ray
Citations: api:spells/eldritch-blast
Includes SRD content per CC BY 4.0. Source: dnd5eapi.co.