"A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage.
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam."
When using multiple beams, do you have to choose where each beam goes when you initially cast the spell, or do you resolve each beam separately like Extra Attack?
For example, if there are two targets A and B when I cast EB do I have to say "2 beams shoot at A and 2 beams shoot at B", or can I roll the first beam against A, see if it dies, then send my next 3 at B?
Realistically you fire all the beams at once so you should decide at the time of casting which beams go where. This is because during combat turns time isn't really linear: everything more or less happens at once: the entire round, everyone's turns, all happen within about 6 seconds or so. You don't really have time to pick and choose each target one by one. You select targets when you cast the spell: be it one target or many. However, I've yet to come across any DM who forces this and most DMs let you pick one by one if you want - always check with the DM first though when taking the spell as a choice.
The correct interpretation is that all of the beams fire at exactly the same time. Every DM I've ever played with has ignored that with every spell that can target multiple opponents and let us resolve each one before picking where we target the next one.
There is no general spellcasting rule that forces you to choose all targets for a spell when it's initially cast. Nothing in Eldritch Blast's text indicates the attacks are simultaneous either.
An attack is a process that involves choosing a target, making an attack roll and inflicting damage (PH chapter 9, Making An Attack). Therefore, you don't choose the target for the subsequent attacks until you actually get around to making those attacks.
Thanks to everyone that replied, I believe InquisitiveCoder's response is the most comprehensive. My DM initially was of the opinion earlier posters mentioned, but I showed him the tweet from Jeremy which has changed his mind.
The thing is, EB isn't multiple attacks. Its multiple shots in one attack. It is a singular action, unlike Extra attack or bonus action attack options. In those instances, each attack is a separate pull of the trigger (regarding ranged). In EB's instance, it is like having a crossbow that shoots 2-4 bolts with every squeeze of the trigger. Pulling the trigger, so to speak, is the action. EB does it once in a turn. Its magic though, so you can direct those "bolts" with a thought towards different targets. They come out at once and must be called prior to knowing resolution.
That's how I play, but its DnD. So, do whatever is most fun for your group.
Except Crawford was responding specifically to a question about Eldridge Blast. So RAI and RAW(definition being the game designers interpretation) you can pick targets one after another.
One way to imagine it, for when justifying the rules is helpful, would be to consider the multiple blasts are released anytime over the course of the 6 second round.
The thing is, EB isn't multiple attacks. Its multiple shots in one attack. It is a singular action, unlike Extra attack or bonus action attack options. In those instances, each attack is a separate pull of the trigger (regarding ranged). In EB's instance, it is like having a crossbow that shoots 2-4 bolts with every squeeze of the trigger. Pulling the trigger, so to speak, is the action. EB does it once in a turn. Its magic though, so you can direct those "bolts" with a thought towards different targets. They come out at once and must be called prior to knowing resolution.
Eldritch blast absolutely is multiple attacks. Every time you make an attack roll, that's an attack. There is nothing in the rules that supports any of these claims.
RAW, RAI, Sage Advice and just plain clear to see design functionality, Eldritch Blast is meant to be the spooky hand laser equivalent to a Fighter stabbing four times.
You cast a spell to summon up a pile of spooky energy, then you spend 6 seconds doling out that energy as you see fit.
It's multiple attacks, RAW/I. If, as a DM, you want to limit this, I could see the argument that the multiple beams have to strike targets within the 6 seconds a combat round takes. This means a reasonable amount of multiple targets that you could aim for and hit within 6 seconds. I could see where a DM might stop a Warlock from firing a beam, turning a 180, aiming again at flying creature, and firing a second attack. There's allowance for RAW and there's also reasonability. You can do both.
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May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
One of the other iconic spells, Magic Missile, does state that each missile hits simultaneously. Since the spells text is otherwise nearly identical in the wording of how they work in regards to multiple targets, I would say the attacks can be declared and resolved one at a time rather than declaring all of them and resolving them in some order determined by the player or GM.
There is also a little historical preference for this as well since when the Warlock was first introduced into the game Eldritch Blast scaled like sneak attack and was stated to be able to take effect of some physical affects that other spells where not able to use. For me that really solidifies the reason to treat it the same as you would a fighter or another class making multiple attacks.
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I have played games in 3.x, Shadowrun (2-4), Hero System, Battle Tech, and GRUPS. I have also DM/GM a few of them but I am far better at helping run encounters than coming up with them and adventures in my own option.
I figure that if a level 5 fighter with Extra Attack can choose targets one at a time with her crossbow, then a 5th level warlock with eldritch blast can choose his targets one at a time, for a bit of parity between the features.
From the Sage Advice pdf (sorry for lack of formatting, I don't know how):
When casting a spell that affects multiple targets, such as scorching ray or eldritch blast, do I fire one ray or beam, determine the result, and fire again? Or do I have to choose all the targets before making any attack rolls?
Even though the duration of each of these spells is instanta- neous, you choose the targets and resolve the attacks con- secutively, not all at once. If you want, you can declare all your targets before making any attacks, but you would still roll separately for each attack (and damage, if appropriate).
Therefore, you can choose targets consecutively if you wish, though it may be somewhat immersion-breaking to wait and see if you drop that one before choosing your next target.
If you go off of what Jeremy Crawford says in sage advice each beam isn't simultaneously shot unless a spell specifies it, i.e. magic missile. Here is my source: Sage advice tweet from Jeremy Crawford
I remember a tweet from one of the WotC guys, probably Crawford, who said that the attacks from EB resolve consecutively, not simultaneously like Magic Missile. And it doesn't say the beams fire simultaneously either. So put me in the camp of "aim, shoot, aim, shoot" rather than "aim, aim, shoot, shoot".
Pretty sure this is an agreement between dm and player kinda thing. I don’t think either method breakS the game or immersion in a way that requires any serious fighting either way
Making eldrich blast beams hit consecutively opens up a lot of problems. Most of them effect scorching ray as well
1. Breaking concentration becomes nearly impossible depending on the target and level of play. For example forcing 2or 3 DC10 con saves may be beneficial against some enemies, but against those with high con stats, the damage upscaling is completely negligible as you will barely do more than 20 damage per beam. Magic missile specifically states that it forces multiple checks instead of one big one, because it's meant for low level play
2. Repelling blast becomes bonkers with a 20 to 30ft push range, without any way to mitigate other than high AC
3. Forcing multiple death saves with a single spell cast is brutal. So brutal in fact, that they specifically denied it from magic missile. Dropping an enemy with the first blast and then piling another 1 or 2 on is a sure fire way to divert death saves. This works with multiattack, but creatures with multiattack are usually in danger in the front line. Range multiattack on NPCs is often limited to 2 attacks, even if they can make 3 melee attacks
4. Immersion works best if you shoot before checking if your previous shot felled the target. This is just a general point, also applicable to all other multiattacks. I think it was mostly allowed to consecutively strike weapon attacks, because a sword can't be in multiple places at once. Also limiting a melee fighter to targets currently within 5ft feels quite underwhelming
Regarding the rules-lawering by inquisiteCoder: The spell description states that you make separate attack ROLLS for each BEAM of the spell. So the targeting is part of the spell casting. You may target as many creatures as you create beams with your spell. Those are not seperate attacks.
I realize Crawford spoke directly towards eldrich blast, but it wouldn't be the first time jerry's rulings opened up big exploits and more questions
Edit: I just remembered that you can stack repelling blast, war caster and polearm master to push incoming attackers 20-30ft away as they move within reach
The casting time is 1 action. The duration is instantaneous. It is logically impossible to be just one action and instantaneous and happening as separate events. The casting time and duration suggest that they all fly at once. The separate rolls for hitting imply that each bolt has an accuracy. If you fired both barrels of a double barreled shotgun with slugs, both slugs would be fired simultaneously and yet each slug would have an individual chance of hitting. Why should it make a difference? Consider this scenario. You attack a monster that has the ability to evade after a hit. If the monster is allowed to evade after the first EB, then any additional EB that were intended for him will miss. However, logic dictates that if you are allowed only 1 action and you use that action to cast an EB, and an EB is instantaneous, additional EBs that are attained through levels HAVE to leave for targets at the same time and thus, targets must be chosen targets must be chosen at the same time. Essentially, the authors are saying that the beams travel at the speed of light (instantaneous or nearly so). Any creature that has the opportunity to evade a second EB would have to have the ability to perceive the attack, formulate a plan, and execute the plan, all FASTER than the speed of light. Conversely, if a fighter had 2 attacks, I believe that the monster could evade the second attack because it's a separate attack that does not occur at the same time as the first attack.
The fact that magic missile has specific language that indicates that all bolts hit at the same time "The darts all strike simultaneously", and eldritch blast doesn't would at least give some grounds for the argument that you can choose targets after each hit roll.
As far as timing goes if on a turn a martial class can take the time to aim and hit multiple targets why not a warlock?
As far a RAI and game mechanics go, the warlock functions very much like a ranged martial class with eldritch blast in place of a bow. For comparison just look at a ranger with bow/hunters mark and eldrich blast/hex.
In the end there isn't specific language one way or another so its the DMs call, but I'd say this would be along the lines of making a melee class decide where all their attacks are going to hit and then wasting them if something dies on the fist hit.
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EB states:
"A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage.
The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams at 17th level. You can direct the beams at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate attack roll for each beam."
When using multiple beams, do you have to choose where each beam goes when you initially cast the spell, or do you resolve each beam separately like Extra Attack?
For example, if there are two targets A and B when I cast EB do I have to say "2 beams shoot at A and 2 beams shoot at B", or can I roll the first beam against A, see if it dies, then send my next 3 at B?
Thanks!
I am 100% on 'choose when initially cast' for all the logical and RP reasons one would envision this combat scene to play out as.
Do many resolve one at a time? You bet.
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Realistically you fire all the beams at once so you should decide at the time of casting which beams go where. This is because during combat turns time isn't really linear: everything more or less happens at once: the entire round, everyone's turns, all happen within about 6 seconds or so. You don't really have time to pick and choose each target one by one. You select targets when you cast the spell: be it one target or many. However, I've yet to come across any DM who forces this and most DMs let you pick one by one if you want - always check with the DM first though when taking the spell as a choice.
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The correct interpretation is that all of the beams fire at exactly the same time. Every DM I've ever played with has ignored that with every spell that can target multiple opponents and let us resolve each one before picking where we target the next one.
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There is no general spellcasting rule that forces you to choose all targets for a spell when it's initially cast. Nothing in Eldritch Blast's text indicates the attacks are simultaneous either.
An attack is a process that involves choosing a target, making an attack roll and inflicting damage (PH chapter 9, Making An Attack). Therefore, you don't choose the target for the subsequent attacks until you actually get around to making those attacks.
This is RAW and RAI. Lead rules designer Jeremy Crawford has chimed in on this one multiple times: "Multiple attacks on the same turn aren't simultaneous, unless a feature or spell says otherwise."
Thanks to everyone that replied, I believe InquisitiveCoder's response is the most comprehensive. My DM initially was of the opinion earlier posters mentioned, but I showed him the tweet from Jeremy which has changed his mind.
Case closed?
The thing is, EB isn't multiple attacks. Its multiple shots in one attack. It is a singular action, unlike Extra attack or bonus action attack options. In those instances, each attack is a separate pull of the trigger (regarding ranged). In EB's instance, it is like having a crossbow that shoots 2-4 bolts with every squeeze of the trigger. Pulling the trigger, so to speak, is the action. EB does it once in a turn. Its magic though, so you can direct those "bolts" with a thought towards different targets. They come out at once and must be called prior to knowing resolution.
That's how I play, but its DnD. So, do whatever is most fun for your group.
Except Crawford was responding specifically to a question about Eldridge Blast. So RAI and RAW(definition being the game designers interpretation) you can pick targets one after another.
One way to imagine it, for when justifying the rules is helpful, would be to consider the multiple blasts are released anytime over the course of the 6 second round.
Eldritch blast absolutely is multiple attacks. Every time you make an attack roll, that's an attack. There is nothing in the rules that supports any of these claims.
RAW, RAI, Sage Advice and just plain clear to see design functionality, Eldritch Blast is meant to be the spooky hand laser equivalent to a Fighter stabbing four times.
You cast a spell to summon up a pile of spooky energy, then you spend 6 seconds doling out that energy as you see fit.
It's multiple attacks, RAW/I. If, as a DM, you want to limit this, I could see the argument that the multiple beams have to strike targets within the 6 seconds a combat round takes. This means a reasonable amount of multiple targets that you could aim for and hit within 6 seconds. I could see where a DM might stop a Warlock from firing a beam, turning a 180, aiming again at flying creature, and firing a second attack. There's allowance for RAW and there's also reasonability. You can do both.
May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
One of the other iconic spells, Magic Missile, does state that each missile hits simultaneously. Since the spells text is otherwise nearly identical in the wording of how they work in regards to multiple targets, I would say the attacks can be declared and resolved one at a time rather than declaring all of them and resolving them in some order determined by the player or GM.
There is also a little historical preference for this as well since when the Warlock was first introduced into the game Eldritch Blast scaled like sneak attack and was stated to be able to take effect of some physical affects that other spells where not able to use. For me that really solidifies the reason to treat it the same as you would a fighter or another class making multiple attacks.
I have played games in 3.x, Shadowrun (2-4), Hero System, Battle Tech, and GRUPS. I have also DM/GM a few of them but I am far better at helping run encounters than coming up with them and adventures in my own option.
I figure that if a level 5 fighter with Extra Attack can choose targets one at a time with her crossbow, then a 5th level warlock with eldritch blast can choose his targets one at a time, for a bit of parity between the features.
From the Sage Advice pdf (sorry for lack of formatting, I don't know how):
When casting a spell that affects multiple targets, such
as scorching ray or eldritch blast, do I fire one ray or
beam, determine the result, and fire again? Or do I have
to choose all the targets before making any attack rolls?
Even though the duration of each of these spells is instanta-
neous, you choose the targets and resolve the attacks con-
secutively, not all at once. If you want, you can declare all
your targets before making any attacks, but you would still
roll separately for each attack (and damage, if appropriate).
Therefore, you can choose targets consecutively if you wish, though it may be somewhat immersion-breaking to wait and see if you drop that one before choosing your next target.
If you go off of what Jeremy Crawford says in sage advice each beam isn't simultaneously shot unless a spell specifies it, i.e. magic missile. Here is my source: Sage advice tweet from Jeremy Crawford
I remember a tweet from one of the WotC guys, probably Crawford, who said that the attacks from EB resolve consecutively, not simultaneously like Magic Missile. And it doesn't say the beams fire simultaneously either. So put me in the camp of "aim, shoot, aim, shoot" rather than "aim, aim, shoot, shoot".
I put a link to the tweet in my post
Pretty sure this is an agreement between dm and player kinda thing. I don’t think either method breakS the game or immersion in a way that requires any serious fighting either way
Making eldrich blast beams hit consecutively opens up a lot of problems. Most of them effect scorching ray as well
1. Breaking concentration becomes nearly impossible depending on the target and level of play. For example forcing 2or 3 DC10 con saves may be beneficial against some enemies, but against those with high con stats, the damage upscaling is completely negligible as you will barely do more than 20 damage per beam. Magic missile specifically states that it forces multiple checks instead of one big one, because it's meant for low level play
2. Repelling blast becomes bonkers with a 20 to 30ft push range, without any way to mitigate other than high AC
3. Forcing multiple death saves with a single spell cast is brutal. So brutal in fact, that they specifically denied it from magic missile. Dropping an enemy with the first blast and then piling another 1 or 2 on is a sure fire way to divert death saves. This works with multiattack, but creatures with multiattack are usually in danger in the front line. Range multiattack on NPCs is often limited to 2 attacks, even if they can make 3 melee attacks
4. Immersion works best if you shoot before checking if your previous shot felled the target. This is just a general point, also applicable to all other multiattacks. I think it was mostly allowed to consecutively strike weapon attacks, because a sword can't be in multiple places at once. Also limiting a melee fighter to targets currently within 5ft feels quite underwhelming
Regarding the rules-lawering by inquisiteCoder: The spell description states that you make separate attack ROLLS for each BEAM of the spell. So the targeting is part of the spell casting. You may target as many creatures as you create beams with your spell. Those are not seperate attacks.
I realize Crawford spoke directly towards eldrich blast, but it wouldn't be the first time jerry's rulings opened up big exploits and more questions
Edit: I just remembered that you can stack repelling blast, war caster and polearm master to push incoming attackers 20-30ft away as they move within reach
The casting time is 1 action. The duration is instantaneous. It is logically impossible to be just one action and instantaneous and happening as separate events. The casting time and duration suggest that they all fly at once. The separate rolls for hitting imply that each bolt has an accuracy. If you fired both barrels of a double barreled shotgun with slugs, both slugs would be fired simultaneously and yet each slug would have an individual chance of hitting. Why should it make a difference? Consider this scenario. You attack a monster that has the ability to evade after a hit. If the monster is allowed to evade after the first EB, then any additional EB that were intended for him will miss. However, logic dictates that if you are allowed only 1 action and you use that action to cast an EB, and an EB is instantaneous, additional EBs that are attained through levels HAVE to leave for targets at the same time and thus, targets must be chosen targets must be chosen at the same time. Essentially, the authors are saying that the beams travel at the speed of light (instantaneous or nearly so). Any creature that has the opportunity to evade a second EB would have to have the ability to perceive the attack, formulate a plan, and execute the plan, all FASTER than the speed of light. Conversely, if a fighter had 2 attacks, I believe that the monster could evade the second attack because it's a separate attack that does not occur at the same time as the first attack.
The fact that magic missile has specific language that indicates that all bolts hit at the same time "The darts all strike simultaneously", and eldritch blast doesn't would at least give some grounds for the argument that you can choose targets after each hit roll.
As far as timing goes if on a turn a martial class can take the time to aim and hit multiple targets why not a warlock?
As far a RAI and game mechanics go, the warlock functions very much like a ranged martial class with eldritch blast in place of a bow. For comparison just look at a ranger with bow/hunters mark and eldrich blast/hex.
In the end there isn't specific language one way or another so its the DMs call, but I'd say this would be along the lines of making a melee class decide where all their attacks are going to hit and then wasting them if something dies on the fist hit.