Can you combine War Caster, whip, and Warlock Features to Eldritch Blast enemies with reach?Do you have to...

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Can you combine War Caster, whip, and Warlock Features to Eldritch Blast enemies with reach?


Do you have to hold your Arcane Focus?War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity AttacksWar Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity AttacksCan you chain Tempestuous magic and War Caster?Can Warlock with the Polearm Master and War Caster Feats cast Eldritch Blast as an Opportunity Attack while wearing a shield, RAW?Warlock Hexblade: Do you get Hex Warrior's Cha bonus with a versatile weapon without Pact of the Blade?Can you choose which weapon can take an Attack of Opportunity when wielding two weapons?Can you combine Polearm Master with War Caster to cast Booming Blade as enemies approach?Can a Pact of the Blade warlock with Improved Pact Weapon use a reach weapon as a spellcasting focus to deliver touch spells?Can I cast a spell as a reaction when a creature enters the reach of my quarterstaff if I have the Polearm Master and War Caster feats?Does reach apply to non-attack triggers?As a Hexblade Pact of the Blade warlock, if I use my pact weapon bow as an improvised melee weapon, which benefits carry over?













6












$begingroup$


So, Whip is a one-handed martial weapon with reach. Reach is a feature that, among other things, lets you make opportunity attacks with that weapon out to 10 feet instead of just five.




Equipment



Reach (p. 147). This property also
determines your reach for opportunity attacks
with a reach weapon.




— PHB Errata



War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of making an opportunity attack.



Both Hexblade and the Eldritch Invocation Improved Pact Weapon have ways of letting you use a one-handed martial weapon as your spellcasting focus.



So, if you have War Caster, and you have a whip that you can use as a spellcasting focus, would that let you use Eldritch Blast on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet?



As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property, but I haven't been able to find a clear answer on that.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    5 hours ago
















6












$begingroup$


So, Whip is a one-handed martial weapon with reach. Reach is a feature that, among other things, lets you make opportunity attacks with that weapon out to 10 feet instead of just five.




Equipment



Reach (p. 147). This property also
determines your reach for opportunity attacks
with a reach weapon.




— PHB Errata



War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of making an opportunity attack.



Both Hexblade and the Eldritch Invocation Improved Pact Weapon have ways of letting you use a one-handed martial weapon as your spellcasting focus.



So, if you have War Caster, and you have a whip that you can use as a spellcasting focus, would that let you use Eldritch Blast on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet?



As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property, but I haven't been able to find a clear answer on that.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    5 hours ago














6












6








6





$begingroup$


So, Whip is a one-handed martial weapon with reach. Reach is a feature that, among other things, lets you make opportunity attacks with that weapon out to 10 feet instead of just five.




Equipment



Reach (p. 147). This property also
determines your reach for opportunity attacks
with a reach weapon.




— PHB Errata



War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of making an opportunity attack.



Both Hexblade and the Eldritch Invocation Improved Pact Weapon have ways of letting you use a one-handed martial weapon as your spellcasting focus.



So, if you have War Caster, and you have a whip that you can use as a spellcasting focus, would that let you use Eldritch Blast on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet?



As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property, but I haven't been able to find a clear answer on that.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




So, Whip is a one-handed martial weapon with reach. Reach is a feature that, among other things, lets you make opportunity attacks with that weapon out to 10 feet instead of just five.




Equipment



Reach (p. 147). This property also
determines your reach for opportunity attacks
with a reach weapon.




— PHB Errata



War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of making an opportunity attack.



Both Hexblade and the Eldritch Invocation Improved Pact Weapon have ways of letting you use a one-handed martial weapon as your spellcasting focus.



So, if you have War Caster, and you have a whip that you can use as a spellcasting focus, would that let you use Eldritch Blast on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet?



As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property, but I haven't been able to find a clear answer on that.







dnd-5e feats warlock opportunity-attack reach






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 21 mins ago









SevenSidedDie

208k31668945




208k31668945










asked 6 hours ago









Ben BardenBen Barden

10.3k12557




10.3k12557








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    5 hours ago














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    6 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    6 hours ago






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    @BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    5 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    @Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
    $endgroup$
    – Ben Barden
    5 hours ago








1




1




$begingroup$
@NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
@NautArch That would be the simplest such case, yes. If they're somehow doing something else that might provoke an opportunity attack when standing 10 feet away, the question is also asking abut that. Also, specifically it's about using the warcaster ability in that case with a spell that does not normally have a weapon component - not greenflame blade or booming blade.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
6 hours ago












$begingroup$
Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
6 hours ago




$begingroup$
Related: War Caster, a whip and a dagger, and provoking Opportunity Attacks
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
6 hours ago




1




1




$begingroup$
@BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
@BenBarden Due to the contention surrounding these answers, I might suggest that you hold off on marking mine correct quite so soon, even if I do happen to think my answer is correct. It might be a bit premature if we suss out additional relevant rules/errata that affect the answer. Just my suggestion.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
5 hours ago












$begingroup$
@Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
5 hours ago




$begingroup$
@Bloodcinder fair. The logic seems pretty clear to me, based on what you presented, but it's true that there could have been pertinent rulings.
$endgroup$
– Ben Barden
5 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















9












$begingroup$

Yes, but Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary.



When an enemy moves out of your reach, it provokes an opportunity attack from you, so when an enemy leaves the reach of your whip it provokes an opportunity attack from you (rules on Combat):




You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.




If you have the War Caster feat, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you due to movement, you can forego the opportunity attack and instead use your reaction to cast an eligible spell such as eldritch blast (rules on War Caster):




When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack.




So, yes, your intended tactic works: the enemy provokes an opportunity attack due to movement, so instead of making an opportunity attack you use your reaction to cast eldritch blast.



However, it's completely irrelevant whether the whip is your spellcasting focus or not. With War Caster, you can provide the somatic components of eldritch blast even if your hands are full of weapons. With Improved Pact Weapon, you could provide the material components of a spell using your pact weapon as your focus, but eldritch blast doesn't have material components, so Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary to be able to make this tactic work.



All you need is the War Caster feat and a whip.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
    $endgroup$
    – bubbajake00
    2 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 mins ago



















4












$begingroup$

Yes, all requirements are met



Let's look at the sequence of action and of the logic here:





  1. Enemy is at 10' away - They are currently in your active reach if you are wielding a whip because it has the Reach property which extends your reach when using it by 10'.




    This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it, as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks with it.





  2. Enemy moves further away - This triggers an Opportunity Attack




    You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
    The PHB Errata also confirms this:
    This property also determines your reach for opportunity attacks with a reach weapon.




    At this point, we know that when wielding a whip you have a 10' reach and that OAs are triggered when a creature leaves your reach.



    The condition for reach at 10' has been met and the condition of triggering an OA has been met at 10' when holding a whip.




  3. Cast EB - War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of make an opportunity attack.




    When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.




    This closes the loop on the action. We've covered that the OA is triggered at 10' because of your whip reach, and we've covered that when you get an OA with War Caster you can cast a spell instead. As long as the spellcasting requirements are met (range/components), then you can cast your spell in this case.




EB's requirements are verbal and somatic. As long as you can speak and have a hand free for your somatic component, then you can cast it.



All conditions have been met (OA at 10' from whip, cast spell instead of attack), so this combo works.



Consideration of the implication of Weapon as spellcasting focus



There are two considerations that need be addressed here:




  1. Can you use the Reach property of a whip when you are not wielding it as a weapon, but solely using it as a spellcasting? This will only work if you are holding the focus(weapon) like you'd hold a weapon normally. The reach property is for a weapon wielded, not for something that you just 'touch' like a component pouch. But from a mechanics viewpoint, you are holding the weapon in a hand which is the same thing as wielding it. It's only an issue if you have your hands full - but then you aren't holding/wielding the focus/weapon anyway and you can neither use it as a focus nor a weapon.


  2. Do you need it for the spellcasting? In this case, the answer is no. EB does not have a material component, so the focus isn't required for casting.







share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    17 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    1 min ago











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









9












$begingroup$

Yes, but Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary.



When an enemy moves out of your reach, it provokes an opportunity attack from you, so when an enemy leaves the reach of your whip it provokes an opportunity attack from you (rules on Combat):




You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.




If you have the War Caster feat, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you due to movement, you can forego the opportunity attack and instead use your reaction to cast an eligible spell such as eldritch blast (rules on War Caster):




When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack.




So, yes, your intended tactic works: the enemy provokes an opportunity attack due to movement, so instead of making an opportunity attack you use your reaction to cast eldritch blast.



However, it's completely irrelevant whether the whip is your spellcasting focus or not. With War Caster, you can provide the somatic components of eldritch blast even if your hands are full of weapons. With Improved Pact Weapon, you could provide the material components of a spell using your pact weapon as your focus, but eldritch blast doesn't have material components, so Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary to be able to make this tactic work.



All you need is the War Caster feat and a whip.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
    $endgroup$
    – bubbajake00
    2 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 mins ago
















9












$begingroup$

Yes, but Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary.



When an enemy moves out of your reach, it provokes an opportunity attack from you, so when an enemy leaves the reach of your whip it provokes an opportunity attack from you (rules on Combat):




You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.




If you have the War Caster feat, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you due to movement, you can forego the opportunity attack and instead use your reaction to cast an eligible spell such as eldritch blast (rules on War Caster):




When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack.




So, yes, your intended tactic works: the enemy provokes an opportunity attack due to movement, so instead of making an opportunity attack you use your reaction to cast eldritch blast.



However, it's completely irrelevant whether the whip is your spellcasting focus or not. With War Caster, you can provide the somatic components of eldritch blast even if your hands are full of weapons. With Improved Pact Weapon, you could provide the material components of a spell using your pact weapon as your focus, but eldritch blast doesn't have material components, so Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary to be able to make this tactic work.



All you need is the War Caster feat and a whip.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
    $endgroup$
    – bubbajake00
    2 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 mins ago














9












9








9





$begingroup$

Yes, but Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary.



When an enemy moves out of your reach, it provokes an opportunity attack from you, so when an enemy leaves the reach of your whip it provokes an opportunity attack from you (rules on Combat):




You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.




If you have the War Caster feat, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you due to movement, you can forego the opportunity attack and instead use your reaction to cast an eligible spell such as eldritch blast (rules on War Caster):




When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack.




So, yes, your intended tactic works: the enemy provokes an opportunity attack due to movement, so instead of making an opportunity attack you use your reaction to cast eldritch blast.



However, it's completely irrelevant whether the whip is your spellcasting focus or not. With War Caster, you can provide the somatic components of eldritch blast even if your hands are full of weapons. With Improved Pact Weapon, you could provide the material components of a spell using your pact weapon as your focus, but eldritch blast doesn't have material components, so Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary to be able to make this tactic work.



All you need is the War Caster feat and a whip.






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



Yes, but Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary.



When an enemy moves out of your reach, it provokes an opportunity attack from you, so when an enemy leaves the reach of your whip it provokes an opportunity attack from you (rules on Combat):




You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.




If you have the War Caster feat, when an enemy provokes an opportunity attack from you due to movement, you can forego the opportunity attack and instead use your reaction to cast an eligible spell such as eldritch blast (rules on War Caster):




When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack.




So, yes, your intended tactic works: the enemy provokes an opportunity attack due to movement, so instead of making an opportunity attack you use your reaction to cast eldritch blast.



However, it's completely irrelevant whether the whip is your spellcasting focus or not. With War Caster, you can provide the somatic components of eldritch blast even if your hands are full of weapons. With Improved Pact Weapon, you could provide the material components of a spell using your pact weapon as your focus, but eldritch blast doesn't have material components, so Improved Pact Weapon isn't necessary to be able to make this tactic work.



All you need is the War Caster feat and a whip.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 6 hours ago

























answered 6 hours ago









BloodcinderBloodcinder

21.2k371131




21.2k371131












  • $begingroup$
    would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
    $endgroup$
    – bubbajake00
    2 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 mins ago


















  • $begingroup$
    would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
    $endgroup$
    – bubbajake00
    2 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
    $endgroup$
    – Bloodcinder
    2 hours ago










  • $begingroup$
    It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 mins ago
















$begingroup$
would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
$endgroup$
– bubbajake00
2 hours ago






$begingroup$
would you be able to target any creature with that eldritch blast (since it can have multiple targets), or would you have to target the creature you are reacting to?
$endgroup$
– bubbajake00
2 hours ago






1




1




$begingroup$
That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
2 hours ago




$begingroup$
That's a separate question. If you ask it as a separate question, I can answer it. However, the text of the War Caster feature is extremely explicit and answers your curiosity, so just go read that.
$endgroup$
– Bloodcinder
2 hours ago












$begingroup$
It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
8 mins ago




$begingroup$
It might be slightly worth noting since OP says "on anyone who provokes an opportunity attack within 10 feet" that the whip only lets you provoke an OA when an enemy leaves your reach of 10 feet. Moving from 5-10 feet doesn't provoke at all.
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
8 mins ago













4












$begingroup$

Yes, all requirements are met



Let's look at the sequence of action and of the logic here:





  1. Enemy is at 10' away - They are currently in your active reach if you are wielding a whip because it has the Reach property which extends your reach when using it by 10'.




    This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it, as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks with it.





  2. Enemy moves further away - This triggers an Opportunity Attack




    You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
    The PHB Errata also confirms this:
    This property also determines your reach for opportunity attacks with a reach weapon.




    At this point, we know that when wielding a whip you have a 10' reach and that OAs are triggered when a creature leaves your reach.



    The condition for reach at 10' has been met and the condition of triggering an OA has been met at 10' when holding a whip.




  3. Cast EB - War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of make an opportunity attack.




    When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.




    This closes the loop on the action. We've covered that the OA is triggered at 10' because of your whip reach, and we've covered that when you get an OA with War Caster you can cast a spell instead. As long as the spellcasting requirements are met (range/components), then you can cast your spell in this case.




EB's requirements are verbal and somatic. As long as you can speak and have a hand free for your somatic component, then you can cast it.



All conditions have been met (OA at 10' from whip, cast spell instead of attack), so this combo works.



Consideration of the implication of Weapon as spellcasting focus



There are two considerations that need be addressed here:




  1. Can you use the Reach property of a whip when you are not wielding it as a weapon, but solely using it as a spellcasting? This will only work if you are holding the focus(weapon) like you'd hold a weapon normally. The reach property is for a weapon wielded, not for something that you just 'touch' like a component pouch. But from a mechanics viewpoint, you are holding the weapon in a hand which is the same thing as wielding it. It's only an issue if you have your hands full - but then you aren't holding/wielding the focus/weapon anyway and you can neither use it as a focus nor a weapon.


  2. Do you need it for the spellcasting? In this case, the answer is no. EB does not have a material component, so the focus isn't required for casting.







share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    17 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    1 min ago
















4












$begingroup$

Yes, all requirements are met



Let's look at the sequence of action and of the logic here:





  1. Enemy is at 10' away - They are currently in your active reach if you are wielding a whip because it has the Reach property which extends your reach when using it by 10'.




    This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it, as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks with it.





  2. Enemy moves further away - This triggers an Opportunity Attack




    You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
    The PHB Errata also confirms this:
    This property also determines your reach for opportunity attacks with a reach weapon.




    At this point, we know that when wielding a whip you have a 10' reach and that OAs are triggered when a creature leaves your reach.



    The condition for reach at 10' has been met and the condition of triggering an OA has been met at 10' when holding a whip.




  3. Cast EB - War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of make an opportunity attack.




    When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.




    This closes the loop on the action. We've covered that the OA is triggered at 10' because of your whip reach, and we've covered that when you get an OA with War Caster you can cast a spell instead. As long as the spellcasting requirements are met (range/components), then you can cast your spell in this case.




EB's requirements are verbal and somatic. As long as you can speak and have a hand free for your somatic component, then you can cast it.



All conditions have been met (OA at 10' from whip, cast spell instead of attack), so this combo works.



Consideration of the implication of Weapon as spellcasting focus



There are two considerations that need be addressed here:




  1. Can you use the Reach property of a whip when you are not wielding it as a weapon, but solely using it as a spellcasting? This will only work if you are holding the focus(weapon) like you'd hold a weapon normally. The reach property is for a weapon wielded, not for something that you just 'touch' like a component pouch. But from a mechanics viewpoint, you are holding the weapon in a hand which is the same thing as wielding it. It's only an issue if you have your hands full - but then you aren't holding/wielding the focus/weapon anyway and you can neither use it as a focus nor a weapon.


  2. Do you need it for the spellcasting? In this case, the answer is no. EB does not have a material component, so the focus isn't required for casting.







share|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    17 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    1 min ago














4












4








4





$begingroup$

Yes, all requirements are met



Let's look at the sequence of action and of the logic here:





  1. Enemy is at 10' away - They are currently in your active reach if you are wielding a whip because it has the Reach property which extends your reach when using it by 10'.




    This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it, as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks with it.





  2. Enemy moves further away - This triggers an Opportunity Attack




    You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
    The PHB Errata also confirms this:
    This property also determines your reach for opportunity attacks with a reach weapon.




    At this point, we know that when wielding a whip you have a 10' reach and that OAs are triggered when a creature leaves your reach.



    The condition for reach at 10' has been met and the condition of triggering an OA has been met at 10' when holding a whip.




  3. Cast EB - War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of make an opportunity attack.




    When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.




    This closes the loop on the action. We've covered that the OA is triggered at 10' because of your whip reach, and we've covered that when you get an OA with War Caster you can cast a spell instead. As long as the spellcasting requirements are met (range/components), then you can cast your spell in this case.




EB's requirements are verbal and somatic. As long as you can speak and have a hand free for your somatic component, then you can cast it.



All conditions have been met (OA at 10' from whip, cast spell instead of attack), so this combo works.



Consideration of the implication of Weapon as spellcasting focus



There are two considerations that need be addressed here:




  1. Can you use the Reach property of a whip when you are not wielding it as a weapon, but solely using it as a spellcasting? This will only work if you are holding the focus(weapon) like you'd hold a weapon normally. The reach property is for a weapon wielded, not for something that you just 'touch' like a component pouch. But from a mechanics viewpoint, you are holding the weapon in a hand which is the same thing as wielding it. It's only an issue if you have your hands full - but then you aren't holding/wielding the focus/weapon anyway and you can neither use it as a focus nor a weapon.


  2. Do you need it for the spellcasting? In this case, the answer is no. EB does not have a material component, so the focus isn't required for casting.







share|improve this answer











$endgroup$



Yes, all requirements are met



Let's look at the sequence of action and of the logic here:





  1. Enemy is at 10' away - They are currently in your active reach if you are wielding a whip because it has the Reach property which extends your reach when using it by 10'.




    This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you attack with it, as well as when determining your reach for opportunity attacks with it.





  2. Enemy moves further away - This triggers an Opportunity Attack




    You can make an opportunity attack when a hostile creature that you can see moves out of your reach.
    The PHB Errata also confirms this:
    This property also determines your reach for opportunity attacks with a reach weapon.




    At this point, we know that when wielding a whip you have a 10' reach and that OAs are triggered when a creature leaves your reach.



    The condition for reach at 10' has been met and the condition of triggering an OA has been met at 10' when holding a whip.




  3. Cast EB - War Caster lets you cast a spell instead of make an opportunity attack.




    When a hostile creature's movement provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.




    This closes the loop on the action. We've covered that the OA is triggered at 10' because of your whip reach, and we've covered that when you get an OA with War Caster you can cast a spell instead. As long as the spellcasting requirements are met (range/components), then you can cast your spell in this case.




EB's requirements are verbal and somatic. As long as you can speak and have a hand free for your somatic component, then you can cast it.



All conditions have been met (OA at 10' from whip, cast spell instead of attack), so this combo works.



Consideration of the implication of Weapon as spellcasting focus



There are two considerations that need be addressed here:




  1. Can you use the Reach property of a whip when you are not wielding it as a weapon, but solely using it as a spellcasting? This will only work if you are holding the focus(weapon) like you'd hold a weapon normally. The reach property is for a weapon wielded, not for something that you just 'touch' like a component pouch. But from a mechanics viewpoint, you are holding the weapon in a hand which is the same thing as wielding it. It's only an issue if you have your hands full - but then you aren't holding/wielding the focus/weapon anyway and you can neither use it as a focus nor a weapon.


  2. Do you need it for the spellcasting? In this case, the answer is no. EB does not have a material component, so the focus isn't required for casting.








share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 2 mins ago

























answered 6 hours ago









NautArchNautArch

58k8206385




58k8206385












  • $begingroup$
    I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    17 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    1 min ago


















  • $begingroup$
    I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
    $endgroup$
    – SevenSidedDie
    17 mins ago










  • $begingroup$
    @SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
    $endgroup$
    – NautArch
    1 min ago
















$begingroup$
I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
$endgroup$
– SevenSidedDie
17 mins ago




$begingroup$
I think this answer would be improved by addressing this part of the question: “As far as I can tell, the real question is whether "spell using the weapon as a spellcasting focus" counts for the "with that weapon" requirement of the Reach property…”
$endgroup$
– SevenSidedDie
17 mins ago












$begingroup$
@SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
1 min ago




$begingroup$
@SevenSidedDie Ach! Thank you - added.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
1 min ago


















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