How Far Does Eldritch Blast Push?
As a Warlock, Eldritch Blast is one of the most powerful spells at your disposal. With a range of 120 feet, you can deal damage to enemies from a distance and push them back with up to 10 feet. But how does this pushing mechanic work, and what are the implications for combat strategy? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the mechanics of Eldritch Blast and explore how far it can push its targets.
Grasp of Hadar and Repelling Blast
Before we dive into the specifics of Eldritch Blast, let’s quickly discuss two other spells that interact with this spell: Grasp of Hadar and Repelling Blast. Grasp of Hadar lets you drag an enemy hit with Eldritch Blast 10 feet towards you, while Repelling Blast pushes an enemy back 10 feet. These spells can greatly enhance the pushing capabilities of Eldritch Blast, so it’s essential to understand how they work.
How Eldritch Blast Pushes
When you cast Eldritch Blast, the spell states that you can push a creature up to 10 feet. This push is not an instant effect, but rather a secondary effect that happens after the spell’s primary damage roll. The spell’s text reads:
- "When you hit with an Eldritch Blast spell, you can push a creature up to 10 feet."
This means that if you hit a target with Eldritch Blast, you can choose to push them up to 10 feet. If you choose not to push, the target will be affected by the spell’s damage but will not be moved.
Push Distance
The push distance is determined by the number of hits you land with Eldritch Blast. Each hit can push the target a maximum of 10 feet. If you land multiple hits, the push distance will add up cumulatively. For example:
- If you land 2 hits, you can push the target a total of 20 feet.
- If you land 3 hits, you can push the target a total of 30 feet.
Push Timing
The push effect is triggered immediately after the damage roll is resolved. This means that if you’re in combat and you’re moving quickly around the battlefield, the push effect will occur in the next round, allowing you to take advantage of the target’s new position.
Huge Creatures and Eldritch Blast
Large creatures are often immune to push effects, but this is not the case for Eldritch Blast. You can push huge creatures just like any other creature, although the distance will be shorter due to the creature’s larger size.
| Creature Size | Maximum Push Distance |
|---|---|
| Tiny | 10 feet |
| Small | 5 feet |
| Medium | 10 feet |
| Large | 5 feet |
| Huge | 5 feet |
| Gargantuan | 10 feet |
| Colossal | 20 feet |
Does Eldritch Blast Ignore Cover?
One common question about Eldritch Blast is whether it ignores cover. The answer is no. Eldritch Blast does not ignore cover, which means that enemies hiding behind obstacles will have a higher chance of being hit. However, it’s essential to note that some Warlock feats or spells might allow you to ignore cover, so it’s crucial to check your character build and spellbook for such abilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Eldritch Blast is an incredibly powerful spell that allows you to deal damage from a distance and push enemies back with up to 10 feet. Understanding the mechanics of push distance, timing, and creature size is crucial for optimizing your combat strategy and getting the most out of this spell. Whether you’re playing as a Warlock or facing off against one, mastering Eldritch Blast will give you a significant advantage in combat.