Rules as written, eldritch blast can not target objects (same for other spells unless they specify otherwise i.e. fire bolt). A DM may change rules, but that is up to DM.
In your opinion, should eldritch blast be able to target objects? I'm just confused, does that mean, that when a players shoots an eldritch blast it can't be just straight into the air if they want? There has to be a target?
As a DM you can decide how and if Eldritch Blast affects objects, but RAW it doesn't and can't even successfully target objects. I would suggest it does little more than knock over small objects, since the magical energy of the blast is designed to disrupt life energy (or magical animation energy) so it is ineffective against objects. If people start shooting objects to check if they are disguised constructs then let a few suits of armor fall over loudly raising an alarm in the dungeon to prepare the next room of enemies, or let them be animated armor which wouldn't have animated itself except in the case of an attempt to damage the armor or steal some giant crystal that the party didn't want to steal anyway.
Could tell me where it says that in the book, my friends says that it is a "ranged attack against the target" but I was also told it it cannot attack objects and I just want to know who's right.
Could tell me where it says that in the book, my friends says that it is a "ranged attack against the target" but I was also told it it cannot attack objects and I just want to know who's right.
Thank you
The first sentence of the spell: "A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range."
Animate the object. Then it’s a construct and can be targeted.
Also, you can use cantrips that can’t target objects as an animated object detector.
DM: You see a suit of armor in the room.
Player: I try to Eldritch Blast it.
DM: NO IT IS NOT ANIMATED ARMOR!
Nope. If you can’t tell if it is a creature, such as a mimic, you can’t do that.
This is a bit of an older post, but this ruling would have been relevant at the time, so I'll just leave it here for interested parties:
You can actually do this per Xanathar's Guide to Everything rule on invalid spell targets. The spell is cast, but the effect doesn't happen and the casting time (action, bonus action, reaction, etc.) is wasted.
If your party is having a hard time with objects coming to life and attacking you, this is a great way to discover their presence in advance.
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I searched through forums, but didn't find the right post (if any). I apologize if this isn't the best place to ask, although IMHO it's related.
While reading about damaging objects, I wondered if typical items like a door, a lock, or leather are resistant or immune to force damage.
I assume they aren't, so if a spell like Mordenkainen's Sword can target a criature or an object , that object should be harmed by the force damage unless the DM or the description states otherwise.
I searched through forums, but didn't find the right post (if any). I apologize if this isn't the best place to ask, although IMHO it's related.
While reading about damaging objects, I wondered if typical items like a door, a lock, or leather are resistant or immune to force damage.
I assume they are, so if a spell like Mordenkainen's Sword can target a criature or an object , that object should be harmed by the force damage unless the DM or the description states otherwise.
Per Dungeon Master Guide Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage, nothing specifically said about force damage but DM can always decides otherwise.
Objects and Damage Types. Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage. You might decide that some damage types are more effective against a particular object or substance than others. For example, bludgeoning damage works well for smashing things but not for cutting through rope or leather. Paper or cloth objects might be vulnerable to fire and lightning damage. A pick can chip away stone but can’t effectively cut down a tree. As always, use your best judgment.
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For the description, eldritch blast says it targets creatures, does that mean it cannot target objects like doors and locks?
I'm pretty sure if the spell could target creatures or objects, it would say "creatures or objects".
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Rules as written, eldritch blast can not target objects (same for other spells unless they specify otherwise i.e. fire bolt). A DM may change rules, but that is up to DM.
You could probably convince your DM to let you create an invocation that allows it to target objects
In your opinion, should eldritch blast be able to target objects? I'm just confused, does that mean, that when a players shoots an eldritch blast it can't be just straight into the air if they want? There has to be a target?
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ModeratorThis was the justification from Mike Mearls and Jeremy Crawford:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/08/07/eldritch-blast-cant-cast-on-objects-how-do-you-justify-this-with-flavour/
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Animate the object. Then it’s a construct and can be targeted.
Also, you can use cantrips that can’t target objects as an animated object detector.
DM: You see a suit of armor in the room.
Player: I try to Eldritch Blast it.
DM: NO IT IS NOT ANIMATED ARMOR!
As a DM you can decide how and if Eldritch Blast affects objects, but RAW it doesn't and can't even successfully target objects. I would suggest it does little more than knock over small objects, since the magical energy of the blast is designed to disrupt life energy (or magical animation energy) so it is ineffective against objects. If people start shooting objects to check if they are disguised constructs then let a few suits of armor fall over loudly raising an alarm in the dungeon to prepare the next room of enemies, or let them be animated armor which wouldn't have animated itself except in the case of an attempt to damage the armor or steal some giant crystal that the party didn't want to steal anyway.
Nope. If you can’t tell if it is a creature, such as a mimic, you can’t do that.
Could tell me where it says that in the book, my friends says that it is a "ranged attack against the target" but I was also told it it cannot attack objects and I just want to know who's right.
Thank you
The first sentence of the spell: "A beam of crackling energy streaks toward a creature within range."
I would House Rule it; you can target objects but the take no damage.
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ModeratorThis is a bit of an older post, but this ruling would have been relevant at the time, so I'll just leave it here for interested parties:
You can actually do this per Xanathar's Guide to Everything rule on invalid spell targets. The spell is cast, but the effect doesn't happen and the casting time (action, bonus action, reaction, etc.) is wasted.
If your party is having a hard time with objects coming to life and attacking you, this is a great way to discover their presence in advance.
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DDB Guides & FAQs, Class Guides, Character Builds, Game Guides, Useful Websites, and WOTC Resources
I searched through forums, but didn't find the right post (if any). I apologize if this isn't the best place to ask, although IMHO it's related.
While reading about damaging objects, I wondered if typical items like a door, a lock, or leather are resistant or immune to force damage.
I assume they aren't, so if a spell like Mordenkainen's Sword can target a criature or an object , that object should be harmed by the force damage unless the DM or the description states otherwise.
Per Dungeon Master Guide Objects are immune to poison and psychic damage, nothing specifically said about force damage but DM can always decides otherwise.