Can a Barbarian Use Divine Smite While Raging? The Ultimate Guide
Yes, a Barbarian can absolutely use Divine Smite while Raging. This seemingly contradictory combination of abilities highlights a key distinction in the rules of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e): Divine Smite is a class feature, not a spell, despite using spell slots as a resource. This means the Barbarian’s Rage, which restricts spellcasting, does not prevent them from utilizing their Paladin levels’ Divine Smite ability. Let’s dive deeper into why this works and explore the intricacies of this powerful multiclass combination.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
The Barbarian’s Rage states you can’t cast spells or concentrate on spells while raging. The wording is crucial. Divine Smite doesn’t involve casting a spell. It’s a special ability that allows you to expend a spell slot when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack to deal extra radiant damage. It’s fueled by spell slots but isn’t the act of casting a spell itself. Think of it like using a spell slot as a power source for a weaponized burst of holy energy.
The Paladin’s Divine Smite feature 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 to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage.” Note the key phrases: “when you hit,” and “expend one spell slot.” It’s a triggered ability, not a spell that requires a casting time or specific verbal or somatic components.
Therefore, the restriction on spellcasting during a Rage doesn’t apply to Divine Smite. The Barbarian/Paladin multiclass can unleash their primal fury while simultaneously channeling divine power for devastating melee attacks.
Why is This Important? The Power of Multiclassing
The Barbarian/Paladin multiclass offers a unique blend of raw physical power and burst damage potential. The Barbarian’s Rage provides resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage, advantage on Strength checks and saving throws, and a bonus to melee weapon damage. Meanwhile, the Paladin’s Divine Smite adds significant radiant damage to each hit, making them a formidable force against undead and fiends, in particular.
This combination synergizes particularly well because the Barbarian’s focus on melee attacks directly supports the use of Divine Smite. They are always in the thick of combat, swinging their weapons, giving plenty of opportunities to add that extra burst of radiant damage when it is needed most. The Barbarian’s reckless attack feature also increases the likelihood of critical hits, which further amplifies the damage output of Divine Smite.
It is worth noting that while you can smite while raging, you will still need to consider your spell slots. If you run out, you won’t be able to smite, meaning you may want to strategically pick the right moments to use the ability.
Maximizing Your Barbarian/Paladin Build
- Stats: Prioritize Strength, Constitution, and Charisma. Strength determines your attack rolls and damage, Constitution enhances your survivability and rage duration, and Charisma determines the number of spells you can prepare (as a Paladin, you are a prepared spellcaster).
- Feats: Great Weapon Master is an excellent choice for maximizing damage output, while Resilient (Wisdom) can improve your saving throws against debilitating effects.
- Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting is ideal for Barbarians who favor two-handed weapons, allowing you to reroll low damage dice.
- Subclasses: Path of the Zealot Barbarian and Oath of Vengeance Paladin subclasses synergize exceptionally well, further enhancing damage and offensive capabilities.
- Spell Selection: While you can’t cast spells during Rage, Paladin spells like Bless and Shield of Faith can be cast before entering a Rage to provide lasting benefits.
- Gear: Magic weapons that enhance attack rolls or damage are highly valuable, as are items that improve your AC or provide resistance to damage.
The Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, explores how game mechanics can be used to enhance learning. Concepts like resource management and strategic decision-making, which are crucial for playing a Barbarian/Paladin effectively, are also valuable skills in many real-world situations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Barbarian Hide or Sneak While Raging?
No. Raging typically makes you a very obvious presence. While there may be specific class features or magic items that might allow some stealth, generally, hiding or sneaking is not possible while raging.
2. Can a Barbarian Smite While Raging in BG3 (Baldur’s Gate 3)?
Yes, just like in tabletop D&D 5e, you can Divine Smite while raging in Baldur’s Gate 3. The game correctly implements the rule that Divine Smite is a class feature, not a spell, and therefore not restricted by Rage.
3. Can You Divine Smite After Hitting?
Yes, the rules clearly state that Divine Smite is triggered after you hit with a melee weapon attack. This means you confirm the hit, then decide whether to expend a spell slot to add the radiant damage.
4. Can You Charm a Raging Barbarian?
At later levels, the Barbarian’s Rage often grants immunity to being charmed or frightened. However, even if charmed before raging, the effect is often suppressed for the duration of the Rage.
5. Can Barbarians Use Spell Scrolls While Raging?
No. Using a spell scroll involves casting a spell, which is explicitly prohibited while raging.
6. When Can I Use Divine Smite?
You can use Divine Smite whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack and have available spell slots.
7. What Is the Best Race for a Barbarian/Paladin?
Half-Orc is often considered the optimal race for a Barbarian due to their Savage Attacks feature (extra damage die on a crit) and Relentless Endurance (stay at 1 HP instead of dropping to 0 once per long rest). However, any race with bonuses to Strength, Constitution, or Charisma can be effective.
8. Is Divine Smite Affected by a Crit?
Yes! The damage dice from Divine Smite are doubled on a critical hit, making it even more potent.
9. Can You Use Eldritch Smite While Raging?
Yes, similar to Divine Smite, Eldritch Smite (a Warlock invocation) is a class feature fueled by spell slots, not a spell itself. Therefore, you can use Eldritch Smite while raging.
10. What Is the Most Powerful Smite in D&D?
Generally, Divine Smite is considered one of the most consistently powerful smites due to its high damage output and lack of specific conditions or save DCs. However, other smites, like Banishing Smite, can be more situationally powerful.
11. What Is the Highest Divine Smite?
The highest possible Divine Smite damage is 5d8 radiant damage (plus the weapon’s damage) when using a 5th-level spell slot. This increases to 6d8 against undead or fiends.
12. Can You Cast Lay on Hands While Raging?
No, Lay on Hands is an ability that requires an action, so you risk dropping out of rage if you don’t attack or take damage that round.
13. Can a Barbarian Rage in Heavy Armor?
A Barbarian can wear heavy armor, if proficient with it (usually through a feat or multiclassing). However, wearing heavy armor negates the benefits of the Barbarian’s Unarmored Defense feature and can hinder Dexterity-based skills. If you are not proficient, you also suffer disadvantage on any Strength or Dexterity based check and cannot cast spells.
14. Can a Barbarian Rage in Polymorph?
No. If a Barbarian is polymorphed into a creature, their game statistics are replaced by those of the new form, including the loss of class features like Rage.
15. Can Barbarians Activate Magic Items While Raging?
It depends. If the magic item requires casting a spell, then no, a Barbarian cannot activate it while raging. However, if the magic item grants a passive benefit or triggers an effect that isn’t considered spellcasting, it can be used while raging.
Conclusion
The Barbarian/Paladin multiclass is a potent combination that allows you to unleash devastating melee attacks while benefiting from the survivability and utility of both classes. Remember that Divine Smite is a class feature, not a spell, allowing you to use it even while raging. By carefully considering your stats, feats, subclasses, and gear, you can create a truly fearsome warrior who channels both primal fury and divine power on the battlefield.