Verdict
Yes, still the best. A d10 at 120 feet that adds beams at levels 5, 11 and 17 beats every other attack cantrip for sustained damage, and Agonizing Blast adds roughly 70 to 85 percent to expected damage once you have two or more beams. It is the default pick for a warlock who wants to cast a cantrip every turn. It matters less if you plan to fight with a pact weapon.
What the 2024 version does
| Level and school | Evocation cantrip |
|---|---|
| Casting time | Action |
| Range | 120 feet |
| Components | V, S |
| Duration | Instantaneous |
| Attack and damage | Ranged spell attack, 1d10 Force damage on a hit |
| Scaling | Two beams at level 5, three at level 11, four at level 17 |
"Make a separate attack roll for each beam." System Reference Document 5.2, Eldritch Blast (CC-BY-4.0)
Every beam is its own attack roll, so the beams can hit the same target or different ones. Each one that hits rolls a d10 of its own, which also means any per-hit bonus applies once per beam.
2014 vs 2024: what changed
| Detail | 2014 (SRD 5.1) | 2024 (SRD 5.2) |
|---|---|---|
| Targets | A creature within range | One creature or object in range |
| Damage and range | 1d10 force, 120 feet | Same |
| Beams | Two at level 5, three at 11, four at 17, separate attack roll for each | Same |
| Agonizing Blast | Needs the eldritch blast cantrip, adds Charisma to eldritch blast damage | Needs Warlock level 2 and a damaging Warlock cantrip, you choose one cantrip, adds Charisma to its damage, can be taken again for another cantrip |
| First invocation | Level 2 | Level 1 (but Agonizing Blast still needs level 2) |
The spell barely changed. The invocation did. In 2024 a warlock can hold Agonizing Blast on more than one cantrip, but it takes an invocation slot for each, and you cannot pick it at level 1.
Damage by level, with and without Agonizing Blast
Assumptions: a Charisma modifier of +3 at levels 1 to 4, +4 at levels 5 to 10 and +5 from level 11, an attack bonus of proficiency plus Charisma, and a target with AC 15. A natural 20 always hits and doubles the dice. All beams are fired at one target.
| Level | Beams | Attack bonus | Cha mod | Average on all hits, no Agonizing Blast | Average on all hits, with it | Expected per turn, no Agonizing Blast | Expected per turn, with it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | +5 | +3 | 5.5 | Not yet available | 3.3 | Not yet available |
| 2-4 | 1 | +5 | +3 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 3.3 | 5.0 |
| 5-10 | 2 | +7 | +4 | 11.0 | 19.0 | 7.7 | 12.9 |
| 11-16 | 3 | +9 | +5 | 16.5 | 31.5 | 13.2 | 24.5 |
| 17-20 | 4 | +11 | +5 | 22.0 | 42.0 | 19.8 | 36.8 |
The gap grows with every beam. At level 5 the flat bonus lifts expected damage from 7.7 to 12.9 per turn. At level 17 it lifts it from 19.8 to 36.8. "Average on all hits" means every beam lands; the last two columns account for misses and crits.
Who gets it
On the SRD 5.2 spell list, Eldritch Blast is a Warlock spell. The warlock guide covers the full invocation list. Because Agonizing Blast now works with any damaging Warlock cantrip, a warlock who prefers another cantrip can build around that instead.
Common rulings and mistakes
- Agonizing Blast is not automatic. You choose it as an invocation, and it needs Warlock level 2.
- It adds Charisma to damage, not to the attack roll. Your attack bonus is unchanged.
- Each beam gets the bonus. That is why the invocation scales so well.
- One attack roll per beam, not one per cast. Beams can go at different targets.
- You can swap invocations on a level-up. An early choice is not locked in.
Questions
Is Eldritch Blast worth taking without Agonizing Blast?
It is still a d10 cantrip at 120 feet, which beats most alternatives early on. The flat bonus is what pulls it far ahead, so most warlocks take it at level 2.
Can I take Agonizing Blast at level 1?
No. You get your first invocation at level 1, but Agonizing Blast needs Warlock level 2, so most warlocks pick something else first and swap later.
Can Eldritch Blast hit objects?
Yes. The 2024 text lets you target a creature or an object in range.
Does a critical hit double the Charisma bonus?
No. A critical hit doubles the dice, not the flat modifier.
Corin Ashdown is the pen name of the editor who writes and checks every guide on Vorbelutrioperbir. How we write and check guides.