How Does Eldritch Blast Hit?
Eldritch Blast is a powerful cantrip in the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons that allows Warlocks to deal force damage to their enemies. But have you ever wondered how it actually hits? In this article, we’ll dive into the mechanics of Eldritch Blast and explore the different ways it can hit its targets.
The Basics
Eldritch Blast is a ranged spell that can be cast as a bonus action. It deals 1d10 force damage to a single target within range. The spell’s damage increases as the caster’s level increases, with additional beams of energy added at 5th, 11th, and 17th levels.
How Does Eldritch Blast Hit?
So, how does Eldritch Blast actually hit its target? The answer lies in the spell’s mechanics. When you cast Eldritch Blast, you make a ranged spell attack against the target. If you hit, the target takes the damage listed on the spell.
Ranged Spell Attack
A ranged spell attack is a type of attack that uses a spell to deal damage to a target. In the case of Eldritch Blast, the attack is made using the spell’s damage roll and the target’s Armor Class (AC).
Armor Class (AC)
Armor Class is a measure of a target’s defense against ranged attacks. It’s calculated by adding the target’s Dexterity modifier, armor, and other modifiers to their base AC. The higher the AC, the harder it is to hit the target.
Eldritch Blast’s Attack Roll
When you cast Eldritch Blast, you make an attack roll using the spell’s damage roll and the target’s AC. The attack roll is made by rolling a d20 and adding the spell’s damage roll to the result. If the total equals or exceeds the target’s AC, you hit the target and deal the damage listed on the spell.
Multiple Beams
As mentioned earlier, Eldritch Blast adds additional beams of energy at 5th, 11th, and 17th levels. These additional beams can target the same or different creatures. When you cast the spell, you can choose which beams to target and how many beams to use.
Breaking Up Movement
One of the most important things to remember about Eldritch Blast is that you can break up your movement on your turn. This means you can move some distance, take your action, and then move some more distance. This can be especially useful when casting Eldritch Blast, as it allows you to move into position and then cast the spell.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eldritch Blast is a powerful cantrip that deals force damage to its targets. It’s a ranged spell that uses a ranged spell attack to hit its target, and its damage increases as the caster’s level increases. By understanding how Eldritch Blast hits, you can use it more effectively in your games and deal even more damage to your enemies.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when using Eldritch Blast:
- Use your surroundings: When casting Eldritch Blast, use your surroundings to your advantage. Look for cover or obstacles that can block your enemies’ movements and make it harder for them to hit you.
- Choose your targets wisely: When casting Eldritch Blast, choose your targets wisely. Consider the AC of each target and prioritize those with lower ACs.
- Use your action surge: If you have an action surge, use it to cast Eldritch Blast twice in a round. This can be especially useful when facing multiple enemies.
- Move and attack: Remember to break up your movement on your turn. Move some distance, take your action, and then move some more distance. This can help you stay out of range of your enemies and avoid taking damage.
Eldritch Blast’s Damage Table
Here is a table showing the damage dealt by Eldritch Blast at different levels:
| Level | Damage |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1d10 |
| 5th | 2d10 |
| 11th | 3d10 |
| 17th | 4d10 |
Eldritch Blast’s Additional Beams
Here is a table showing the additional beams added to Eldritch Blast at different levels:
| Level | Additional Beams |
|---|---|
| 5th | 1 additional beam |
| 11th | 2 additional beams |
| 17th | 3 additional beams |
I hope this article has been helpful in understanding how Eldritch Blast hits. Remember to use your surroundings, choose your targets wisely, and break up your movement on your turn to get the most out of this powerful cantrip.