Eldritch Shot - Can you choose then order of arrow effects and spell effects?

[Baitz]

I'm interested in RAW (every GM has ruled the same way so far).

When you crit (or hit) with a Eldritch Shot spell effects and damage from the arrow are supposed to happen simultaneously. In some cases, the order they are applied matters.

For example, you could hydraulic push a target into a space (or out of) a space where your crit specialization is effective.

[Aw3som3-117]

As far as I can tell there isn't anything saying one way or another in the rules, but personally I'd go with the strike applying first. It just seems to make more sense to me considering that the spell is relying on the strike to hit to do anything. Yes, it's "instantaneous" in the sense that there's no defined amount of time between the action and the effect, but also just practically speaking it seems as though the arrow would need to imbed itself first in order to release the magic inside of it.

Like I said, though, I think any interpretation that's consistent works. If I had to make an argument by RAW I'd point to the line that says "Your spell flies with the ammunition, using your attack roll result to determine the effects of both the Strike and the spell." and note how the Strike is mentioned first, but that's far from conclusive, and I wouldn't want to deal with a rules discussion where that counts as hard evidence, lol

[graystone]

As you can't adjudicate the spell results without first doing so for the strike, I'd say strike first then spell.

[Ascalaphus]

I think this is just a particular case of the broader question: what would you do if your Strike has multiple effects that trigger on a crit and the order matters? Eldritch Shot doesn't really call out that it behaves differently, so going for an upstream rule seems right.

[HumbleGamer]

graystone wrote:

As you can't adjudicate the spell results without first doing so for the strike, I'd say strike first then spell.

I rule the same with my group.

It has also to be noted that you can decide not to add your weapon critical specialization.

For example, charging your eldritch shot with hydraulic push will result into

- Target nailed down ( bow criticial specialization )
- Target moved ( 10feet forced movement from hydraulic push )

Being immobilized would prevent the target from being moved, but a player might consider not to apply the bow critical specialization, in order to move the target away.

[Narxiso]

For cinematic effect, I would have them act in tandem and describe it something like this:

“The arrow releases from the bow with the sound of a rushing waterfall instead of the normal twang. As the arrow approaches the target, water vapor swirls around the arrow, thrusting into the creature like a geyser and throwing it back. The arrow, pushed by the momentum of the water, twists into the creature’s flesh and stabs into the ground, pinning it.”