Can a Paladin Smite with a Bow? A Divine Inquiry
The burning question on every aspiring ranged Paladin’s mind: Can a Paladin smite with a bow? The short answer is NO. The Divine Smite feature, the cornerstone of Paladin damage output, explicitly requires a melee weapon attack. Bows, being ranged weapons, do not qualify. But don’t despair, aspiring archers of the light! While Divine Smite is off the table for ranged attacks, there are still ways to make a ranged Paladin viable and, dare I say, effective. Let’s delve deeper into why this restriction exists, explore alternative options, and address some common misconceptions.
Understanding Divine Smite and its Limitations
The core of the issue lies in the wording of the Divine Smite feature. It clearly states: “Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage…” This limitation is not arbitrary; it’s a deliberate design choice intended to reinforce the Paladin’s role as a front-line, heavily armored warrior. The image of a Paladin is intertwined with close combat – wielding a sword or mace, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with allies, and delivering righteous blows in the thick of the fray.
Smite spells, however, can be used with ranged weapon attacks as they have different requirements from Divine Smite.
Why No Ranged Smite? Design and Balance Considerations
Imagine allowing Paladins to smite from afar. This would fundamentally alter the class’s balance. Paladins already possess excellent armor proficiency, strong melee damage, and powerful support abilities. Granting them significant ranged damage output through Divine Smite would make them overwhelmingly powerful, overshadowing other classes designed for ranged combat. The design maintains a balance between melee and ranged specialists. It forces players to make choices about their character’s focus and playstyle. This is a crucial aspect of character building in D&D.
Alternative Ranged Options for Paladins
While you can’t Divine Smite with a bow, you’re not entirely without options for ranged combat:
- Smite Spells: Certain smite spells, such as Branding Smite or Searing Smite, do not require a melee weapon attack. These spells can be delivered through a ranged weapon attack, adding radiant damage and other effects to your ranged strikes.
- Throwing Weapons: As the original article suggested, strength-based throwing weapons like javelins or handaxes offer a ranged option that aligns with a traditional Paladin’s stats.
- Multiclassing: Consider multiclassing into a class with strong ranged capabilities, such as Ranger or Fighter (specifically the Archer or Battle Master subclasses). This allows you to supplement your Paladin abilities with effective ranged attacks.
- Spells: While Paladins are primarily martial characters, they do have access to some ranged spells, such as Bless to increase accuracy of ranged attacks or Shield of Faith to improve your defense.
Shifting the Paradigm: The Ranged Paladin Concept
Rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole by attempting to Divine Smite with a bow, consider embracing the concept of a Paladin who operates differently. Focus on battlefield control, support abilities, and ranged smite spells to contribute to the party while maintaining a safe distance. Play to your strengths as a Paladin, such as high charisma for social encounters and strong defensive capabilities, and use ranged options to supplement those strengths.
The Importance of Roleplaying and Flavor
Ultimately, character creation is about more than just optimization. If you’re determined to play a ranged Paladin, work with your Dungeon Master to create a compelling backstory and character concept that justifies this deviation from the norm. Perhaps your Paladin is a former archer who took up the mantle of a holy warrior, or maybe they received a divine vision that led them to embrace ranged combat as a means of spreading their faith. Flavor and roleplaying can go a long way in making a non-optimized character feel both effective and engaging.
Remember, the goal is to have fun and tell a great story!
FAQs: Paladins and Ranged Combat
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to clarify the rules and explore related concepts:
1. Can a Paladin use bows?
Yes, Paladins can use bows. There are no restrictions in the Player’s Handbook preventing them from wielding bows or other ranged weapons. However, they cannot use Divine Smite with bow attacks.
2. Why can’t Paladins smite with ranged weapons?
The Divine Smite feature explicitly requires a melee weapon attack. This is a design choice to balance the class and emphasize their role as front-line fighters.
3. What is the best smite for a Paladin?
Divine Smite is generally considered the best smite, as it provides consistent radiant damage with each melee weapon hit and can be used multiple times per turn. Other smite spells like Wrathful Smite, Banishing Smite, and Staggering Smite offer powerful situational effects.
4. Can a Paladin smite with their fists?
No, Divine Smite is not intended to work with unarmed strikes. Divine Smite refers to the “weapon’s damage,” and an unarmed strike isn’t considered a weapon.
5. When can a Paladin use Divine Smite?
A Paladin can use Divine Smite when they hit a creature with a melee weapon attack and choose to expend a spell slot.
6. What happens if a Paladin multiclasses into a Ranger?
Multiclassing into Ranger allows a Paladin to gain proficiency in ranged weapons and access to Ranger spells and abilities that enhance ranged combat, but it doesn’t allow Divine Smite with bows.
7. Can a Paladin use Improved Divine Smite with a ranged weapon?
No, Improved Divine Smite (available at higher levels) adds radiant damage to melee weapon attacks only. It doesn’t affect ranged attacks.
8. What fighting style is best for a Paladin who wants to use ranged weapons?
Paladins do not have a fighting style that is suited for Archery.
9. Are there any Paladin subclasses that are better suited for ranged combat?
While no Paladin subclass directly enhances ranged combat with Divine Smite, some, like the Oath of the Ancients, provide spells that can be useful in ranged situations, such as Ensnaring Strike which can be delivered through a ranged weapon attack.
10. Can a Paladin use smite spells with a bow?
Yes, a Paladin can use smite spells with a ranged weapon attack. Smite spells like Branding Smite or Searing Smite can be delivered through a ranged weapon attack.
11. Does Dexterity affect a Paladin’s AC when wearing heavy armor?
No, Dexterity does not affect AC when wearing heavy armor. Heavy armor provides a fixed AC, regardless of your Dexterity score.
12. What stats are most important for a Paladin?
Strength or Dexterity (for weapon attacks), Charisma (for spellcasting and class features), and Constitution (for hit points and concentration) are the most important stats for a Paladin.
13. Can a Paladin smite twice in one turn?
Yes, if the Paladin has the Extra Attack feature, they can attack twice in a turn and use Divine Smite on each successful melee weapon attack, expending a spell slot for each smite.
14. What are the best weapons for a Paladin?
The best weapons for a Paladin are typically melee weapons that align with their chosen fighting style and stats. A Holy Avenger is a legendary weapon specifically designed for Paladins.
15. How can a Paladin contribute to a party in ranged combat situations?
Paladins can contribute through support spells, battlefield control spells, and ranged smite spells. They can also provide cover and protection for ranged allies by drawing enemy attention in melee combat.
In conclusion, while Divine Smite remains firmly rooted in melee combat, there are still ways to build a fun and effective Paladin who utilizes ranged options to complement their core abilities. Embrace the challenge, experiment with different builds, and tell a compelling story!
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