Can You Cast Eldritch Blast at a Higher Level?
Direct Answer:
Eldritch Blast, a cantrip found in the Xanathar’s Guide to Everything and the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, is a versatile and powerful spell that deals force damage to its targets. Many players and game masters are curious about whether they can cast Eldritch Blast at a higher level than the initial level 1 casting.
The answer is simple: Eldritch Blast scales with your total character level, not your Warlock class level. This means that if you choose to play a Warlock, your Eldritch Blast will scale with your character’s total level, regardless of whether you’ve gained additional levels in another class.
Scalability with Total Character Level
To understand why Eldritch Blast scales with your total character level, it’s essential to look at its specific entry in the Player’s Handbook and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything. The spell is defined as follows:
- Eldritch Blast (Cantrip)
- Casting Time: 1 action
- Range: 120 feet
- Target: One creature
- Duration: Instantaneous
- Damage: Force damage, roll a d8 + spell attack bonus (minimum 1) against a target’s armor class. A hit deals that amount of damage.
As you can see, there’s no specific mention of a casting limit or a restriction to specific classes. This means that, according to the rules, Eldritch Blast is capable of scaling with your total character level, not your Warlock class level.
When Does Eldritch Blast Cast with Advantage?
Another common question related to Eldritch Blast is when does it cast with advantage? To clarify this, let’s look at the rules once more:
- When the Warlock casts the Eldritch Blast (emphasis mine): the basic action economy of 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons states that a character, during their turn, can use the movement, take one action, and if they have a feature or ability that uses it, take one bonus action.
As a Warlock, you can cast Eldritch Blast using your action, but the bonus action is reserved for other features or abilities that specifically use it. Since Eldritch Blast is a cantrip, it does not have a specific casting advantage that is linked to your Warlock level or other abilities.
However, the rules do state that if the Warlock is hidden when they cast the Eldritch Blast, the attacks will be made with advantage. To achieve this, you’ll need to maintain a specific setup or position yourself to become hidden while casting the spell. Once you’re in the correct position, your Eldritch Blast will deal the same damage as usual, but the advantage will apply, allowing you to potentially deal more damage to your target.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eldritch Blast scales with your total character level, not your Warlock class level, allowing you to cast it with ease even at higher levels. Additionally, it’s essential to note that Eldritch Blast does not have a specific casting advantage linked to your Warlock level or other abilities, but you can use your Warlock’s hidden ability to make your attacks with advantage. Remember to maintain a good position to achieve this, and your Eldritch Blast will become an even more formidable force on the battlefield.
Tips and Tricks:
- Use your bonus action wisely, as it can be crucial for other abilities or features that use it.
- Keep in mind that your Warlock’s hidden ability requires you to maintain a specific position or setup.
- Consider using other Warlock features or abilities that rely on your action or bonus action.
- Remember that Eldritch Blast can be a versatile spell, capable of dealing damage to multiple targets with splash damage.
By understanding how Eldritch Blast scales and functions, you can incorporate it seamlessly into your Warlock’s repertoire and wreak havoc on the battlefield.