Eldritch Blast & H2O

[Tetsubo]

Is a Warlock's Eldritch Blast effected in any way by water? Can he use the EB while underwater? TIA

 

[Henrix]

Normally the Eldritch Blast is just magical damage, no particular energy, so it would not be hampered by water.

[Edit]
The surface of the water still provides total cover, though, as normal.

 

[Whimsical]

from the SRD: underwater combat

Attacks from Land

Characters swimming, floating, or treading water on the surface, or wading in water at least chest deep, have improved cover (+8 bonus to AC, +4 bonus on Reflex saves) from opponents on land. Landbound opponents who have freedom of movement effects ignore this cover when making melee attacks against targets in the water. A completely submerged creature has total cover against opponents on land unless those opponents have freedom of movement effects. Magical effects are unaffected except for those that require attack rolls (which are treated like any other effects) and fire effects.

So, one time I had my warlock go prone adjacent to a lake and stick his hand underwater before using his eldrich blast on a partially suberged water naga to avoid the improved cover that the water was providing it.

 

[Uder]

So, one time I had my warlock go prone adjacent to a lake and stick his hand underwater before using his eldrich blast on a partially suberged water naga to avoid the improved cover that the water was providing it.

Cool idea, good thing your DM went for it. I wouldn't have. In fact, I might've added penalties for making the room smell like cheese. Think about it... would it be easier shooting something underwater if you stuck your crossbow in?

 

[shilsen]

Cool idea, good thing your DM went for it. I wouldn't have. In fact, I might've added penalties for making the room smell like cheese. Think about it... would it be easier shooting something underwater if you stuck your crossbow in?

That's a lousy analogy. A crossbow is a mechanical object dealing with issues such as tension, air resistance, etc. A warlock's eldritch blast is a magical effect. They are hardly comparable. IME, a simple circumstance penalty to hit due to the warlock's awkward position would have applied, but that's it.

 

[Uder]

Maybe I phrased that wrong, then, because that's exactly what I was thinking. Both the awkwardness of the position, and the fact that the water still distorts your vision regardless of where your hand is.

 

[shilsen]

Maybe I phrased that wrong, then, because that's exactly what I was thinking. Both the awkwardness of the position, and the fact that the water still distorts your vision regardless of where your hand is.

In that case, I agree, which is why I mentioned the use of a circumstance penalty to hit. Just objecting to the crossbow analogy. It's an English teacher thing

 

[Dimwhit]

Since the Eldritch blast requires an attack roll, wouldn't that mean that it would be affected like normal weapons under water (according to the SRD post above)? I don't know what penalty is, off-hand, but it sounds like it would be treated as a crossbow/longbow/etc. Or am I missing something?

 

[shilsen]

Since the Eldritch blast requires an attack roll, wouldn't that mean that it would be affected like normal weapons under water (according to the SRD post above)?

No. That SRD quote refers only to attacks being made from land. If the eldritch blast originates underwater and is aimed at another underwater target, then it works as normal without penalties. If the eldritch blast originates outside the water and targets something underwater, then it takes the same penalties as for a non-thrown ranged weapon, i.e. -2 to hit per 5 ft of water it passes through.

I don't know what penalty is, off-hand, but it sounds like it would be treated as a crossbow/longbow/etc. Or am I missing something?

See above.

 

[Dimwhit]

Ah, you are correct. Didn't read that as carefully as I should have.