Can a Paladin Smite with Warlock Slots?
A paladin can indeed use warlock slots to smite, as their paladin levels contribute to their spell slots, allowing them to utilize any of those slots for Divine Smite. The key aspect to consider is that paladin levels do not contribute to pact slots, which are specific to warlock spellcasting, but warlock spell slots can be used for paladin spells due to the shared spellcasting system.
Understanding Paladin and Warlock Spellcasting
To delve deeper into the mechanics of paladin and warlock spellcasting and how they interact, especially concerning smite abilities, it’s crucial to understand the basics of both classes’ spell slot systems and how multiclassing affects spellcasting capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a Paladin Use Warlock Spell Slots for Divine Smite?
Yes, a paladin can use warlock spell slots for Divine Smite because paladin levels contribute to the spell slots that can be used for Divine Smite.
2. How Do Warlock Spell Slots Work?
Warlock spell slots are shown in the Warlock table, indicating how many spell slots are available and their level; all spell slots are of the same level, and they regenerate after a short or long rest.
3. Can a Paladin Smite with a Gun?
Divine Smite can be used with ranged weapons, including guns, allowing for more versatility in combat.
4. Can You Multiclass Warlock and Paladin?
Yes, multiclassing as a warlock and a paladin is possible and can be a strong combination, especially for utilizing cha as an attack stat and gaining extra spell slots.
5. Can Other Class Spells Be Cast with Warlock Slots?
Generally, warlock slots can only be used for warlock spells or possibly sorcerer spells of level 1, but not higher levels without specific rules or DM permission.
6. Do Warlocks Ever Get More Spell Slots?
Warlocks have a unique spell slot system where lower-level slots “upgrade” to higher levels as they gain levels, and their slots refresh on short rests, balancing out the fewer number of slots.
7. Can a Paladin Smite Twice?
A paladin can smite twice in a turn if they have the Extra Attack feature, allowing them to attack twice and spend a spell slot per hit.
8. What is the Best Smite for a Paladin?
Divine Smite is often considered one of the best smite options for paladins due to its simplicity and effectiveness in dealing radiant damage.
9. Can a Warlock Use Their Spell Slots for Non-Warlock Spells?
Warlocks can use their spell slots for sorcerer spells of level 1, but using them for higher-level sorcerer spells or spells from other classes may require DM approval or specific rules.
10. How Many Spell Slots Can a Paladin Use on a Smite?
A paladin can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage with Divine Smite, with the option to use higher-level spell slots for increased damage.
11. Can Non-Paladin Spell Slots Be Used to Smite?
Yes, non-paladin spell slots can be used for smite because all classes with the Spellcasting trait share the same spell slots, excluding warlock slots which have specific usage rules.
12. What is the Highest Spell Slot for a Warlock?
The highest spell slot level a warlock can create is 5th level, but they can use stored levels in a magic item like a rod to cast spells of up to that level.
13. Can a Paladin Smite with Their Fists?
Technically, Divine Smite isn’t intended for use with unarmed strikes because it refers to the “weapon’s damage,” and an unarmed strike isn’t considered a weapon.
14. Is Multiclassing Paladin Worth It?
Multiclassing can be beneficial for paladins to address weaknesses such as limited spell slots and ranged options, particularly by multiclassing with sorcerer or bard.
15. Can Warlock Slots Be Used for Eldritch Smite?
Eldritch Smite specifically requires a warlock spell slot from the Pact Magic feature; spell slots from the Spellcasting feature do not work with it, highlighting the distinction between warlock and other spell slots.