Unleashing Holy Fury: Can You Smite on a Smite Spell in D&D 5e?

Yes, absolutely! In D&D 5e, you can indeed stack Divine Smite with a Smite Spell. This powerful combination allows a Paladin to deliver devastating blows to their enemies, combining the effects of both features for maximum impact. Understanding the nuances of how these abilities interact is crucial for any aspiring Paladin. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of this potent synergy and answer some common questions.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand the fundamental mechanics of Divine Smite and Smite Spells.

• Divine Smite: This is a class feature available to Paladins from 2nd level. It allows you to expend a spell slot when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack to deal extra radiant damage. It’s an after-the-hit effect, meaning you decide whether to use it after you know you’ve successfully struck your target.

• Smite Spells: These are spells that Paladins can learn and cast, such as Thunderous Smite, Searing Smite, and Branding Smite. They require a bonus action to cast and usually add additional effects and damage to your next successful melee weapon attack within a certain timeframe. They are before-the-hit effects, activated before you swing.

The Synergy in Action

The key to stacking these abilities lies in their timing and action economy. A Paladin can cast a Smite Spell as a bonus action on their turn. This spell then enhances their next melee weapon attack. When that attack hits, the Paladin can then choose to expend a spell slot to activate Divine Smite, adding even more radiant damage on top of the Smite Spell’s effects.

There is no rule preventing you from expending a spell slot for Divine Smite on an attack already empowered by a Smite Spell.

FAQs: Mastering the Art of Smiting

To further clarify the intricacies of smiting, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use multiple Smite Spells on the same attack?

No, you can only have one Smite Spell active at a time. Smite Spells require concentration, and you can only concentrate on one spell at a time. Casting a new Smite Spell will end your concentration on the previous one.

2. Can I Divine Smite multiple times in a turn?

Yes! There is no limit to how many times you can use Divine Smite in a turn, provided you hit with multiple melee weapon attacks. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can use Divine Smite once for each successful attack, expending a spell slot each time.

3. Can I use Branding Smite and Divine Smite on the same attack?

Absolutely. You can have Branding Smite active when you hit a creature and then expend a spell slot to use Divine Smite on that same hit. This combines the radiant damage of Divine Smite with the branding effect of Branding Smite.

4. Can I cast a spell and Divine Smite in the same turn?

Yes, as long as the spell you cast isn’t a Smite Spell. Smite Spells require a bonus action to cast, while Divine Smite requires no action. Therefore, you can cast a spell as your action and then use Divine Smite on a subsequent melee weapon attack.

5. Can I use Divine Smite with a ranged weapon attack?

No, Divine Smite specifically requires a melee weapon attack. Ranged weapon attacks do not qualify for Divine Smite.

6. Does Divine Smite damage get doubled on a critical hit?

Yes! Any damage dice rolled as part of a critical hit are doubled, including the radiant damage dice from Divine Smite. This makes critical hits particularly devastating when combined with Divine Smite.

7. Is there a limit to the number of spell slots I can use for Divine Smite?

You can only use one spell slot per attack for Divine Smite. Also, you can’t expend more than one spell slot on a single Divine Smite. There is no other limit per turn.

8. What is the maximum damage I can deal with Divine Smite?

The extra radiant damage from Divine Smite is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. Against undead or fiends, the maximum damage increases to 6d8.

9. Can I use Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite on the same attack?

Yes, if you are a multiclass Paladin/Warlock, you can use both Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite on the same attack. However, you must use a Warlock spell slot for Eldritch Smite and any spell slot for Divine Smite. Also, Eldritch Smite can only be used once per turn.

10. Do Smite Spells get consumed on a missed attack?

No, Smite Spells are not consumed if the attack misses. The spell remains active, requiring concentration, until a successful attack hits or the duration expires.

11. Can I Twin Spell a Smite Spell?

No, you cannot use the Twinned Spell metamagic option from the Sorcerer class with Smite Spells. Twinned Spell requires the spell to have a range other than self, and all Smite Spells have a range of self.

12. Does Divine Smite require an action or bonus action?

Divine Smite does not require any action or bonus action. It is a class feature that is triggered after a successful melee weapon attack, allowing you to decide whether to use it without using any of your available actions.

13. Does Divine Smite break concentration?

No, Divine Smite itself does not break concentration. It is not a spell and does not require concentration. However, casting a Smite Spell will break concentration on any other spell you are currently concentrating on.

14. Can I use Divine Smite with a thrown weapon?

No, Divine Smite specifically requires a melee weapon attack. While you can throw a melee weapon, the attack itself is considered a ranged attack, and therefore does not qualify for Divine Smite.

15. Does Divine Smite count as magical for the purposes of Antimagic Field?

Yes, as per the Sage Advice Compendium, if a feature is fueled by the use of spell slots, it is considered magical. Therefore, Divine Smite would not function within an Antimagic Field.

Mastering the Smite: Strategy and Tactics

While stacking Divine Smite with a Smite Spell can result in massive damage, it’s crucial to use these abilities strategically. Consider the following tips:

• Conserve Spell Slots: Don’t expend spell slots unnecessarily. Save your smites for critical hits or when facing particularly challenging enemies.

• Prioritize Targets: Focus your smites on high-priority targets, such as powerful spellcasters or dangerous brutes.

• Coordinate with Allies: Work with your party to maximize the impact of your smites. For example, having a rogue sneak attack on the same target can amplify the damage even further.

• Know Your Enemy: Some creatures are resistant or immune to radiant damage. Avoid using Divine Smite against these enemies, or consider using a Smite Spell that deals a different type of damage.

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of the Smite

The ability to combine Divine Smite with Smite Spells is a cornerstone of the Paladin class in D&D 5e. By understanding the rules and strategies outlined above, you can unleash the full potential of your Paladin and smite your foes with righteous fury. So go forth, champion of justice, and let your smites ring out across the battlefield! Learning more about game mechanics such as this one is a great example of how we can learn while engaging with games, something the Games Learning Society studies. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!