Can Oathbreakers Still Smite? A Deep Dive into Fallen Paladins
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Yes, Oathbreaker Paladins absolutely retain their Divine Smite ability. This core mechanic is a fundamental class feature of the Paladin, stemming from their connection to divine power (even if that connection is now twisted or fueled by darker forces). The Oathbreaker’s fall from grace doesn’t sever their inherent ability to channel divine energy into devastating attacks; instead, it warps and corrupts it.
This article will explore the mechanics of Divine Smite for Oathbreakers, delve into the lore implications, and answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding of this fallen subclass.
Divine Smite: A Corrupted Blessing
The Divine Smite feature, described in the Player’s Handbook, remains accessible to Oathbreaker Paladins. This means they can expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage (or, thematically, necrotic damage in many campaigns) on a successful weapon attack. The damage scales with the level of the spell slot used, making it a potent damage dealer throughout the game.
The key difference for an Oathbreaker isn’t the availability of Divine Smite, but potentially the flavor and the overall playstyle. While a Devotion Paladin might use Smite to vanquish evil, an Oathbreaker might use it to inflict suffering, dominate their foes, or fuel their own ambition.
The Lore of a Fallen Warrior
Understanding why Oathbreakers can still smite requires a shift in perspective about the source of a Paladin’s power. It isn’t necessarily tied to a specific deity or church. The core of a paladin’s strength resides in their conviction and devotion to an ideal. In the case of an Oathbreaker, that devotion has twisted. They are still channeling divine (or perhaps, now, undivine) energy, but their motivation is rooted in darkness, ambition, or revenge.
This corrupted power can manifest in different ways depending on the setting and the individual Oathbreaker’s story. Some Dungeon Masters (DMs) might alter the damage type to necrotic, reflecting the Paladin’s embrace of darkness. Others might focus on the psychological impact of the Smite, adding fear or debuff effects alongside the damage.
Oathbreaker Smite Synergies
While retaining Divine Smite, Oathbreakers also gain access to unique features that synergize incredibly well with it. Consider the following:
- Dreadful Aspect: This ability allows you to frighten enemies, granting you advantage on attack rolls against them. Advantage significantly increases your chance to land a critical hit, which doubles the dice rolled for your Divine Smite.
- Spiteful Suffering: This aura grants you and your allies extra damage against creatures within range, further boosting your overall damage output, including smites.
- Oathbreaker Spells: Many of the Oathbreaker’s spells, like Hellish Rebuke and Inflict Wounds, complement a damage-focused playstyle, enhancing the effectiveness of their smites.
FAQs About Oathbreaker Paladins and Smite
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oathbreaker Paladins and their ability to smite:
1. Does an Oathbreaker Paladin lose the Divine Smite ability upon breaking their oath?
No. The Divine Smite ability is a core Paladin class feature and is not tied to a specific oath. Oathbreakers retain access to it.
2. Can an Oathbreaker Paladin change the damage type of their Divine Smite?
The Player’s Handbook states radiant damage, but a DM might allow thematic changes, like necrotic damage, to better reflect the Oathbreaker’s nature.
3. Does Divine Smite work against undead creatures?
Yes. Divine Smite deals radiant damage, which is effective against many undead creatures.
4. Can an Oathbreaker Paladin use Divine Smite on a ranged weapon attack?
No. Divine Smite specifies it must be used on a melee weapon attack.
5. Can an Oathbreaker Paladin use Divine Smite with unarmed strikes?
Only if the unarmed strike counts as a melee weapon attack, usually through specific class features or feats.
6. Can an Oathbreaker Paladin crit with Divine Smite?
Yes! When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you roll all of the attack’s damage dice twice, including the extra dice from Divine Smite.
7. Does Antimagic Field stop Divine Smite?
Antimagic Field suppresses spells and magical effects. As the base Divine Smite is not a spell (it’s a class feature), it does function within an Antimagic Field. However, smites granted by spells like Searing Smite would be stopped, as they are spells.
8. Can Oathbreakers benefit from Improved Divine Smite?
Yes. This is a level 11 Paladin feature that adds extra radiant damage to your weapon attacks and works irrespective of your oath.
9. Do Oathbreaker Paladins have access to other Smite spells?
Yes, Oathbreakers can learn other smite spells such as Thunderous Smite and Wrathful Smite. Zariel Tieflings also get access to Searing and Branding smites.
10. Are there any feats that specifically enhance Divine Smite for Oathbreakers?
There aren’t feats specifically for Oathbreakers, but feats like Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master synergize well with a melee-focused Oathbreaker build that utilizes Divine Smite.
11. Can an Oathbreaker use Lay on Hands to heal?
The original Lay on Hands feature heals. However, depending on the setting and interpretation, some DMs might rule that an Oathbreaker’s Lay on Hands deals necrotic damage instead of healing. In Baldur’s Gate 3 the Lay on Hands of an Oathbreaker deals damage instead of healing.
12. How does multiclassing affect an Oathbreaker’s Divine Smite?
Multiclassing can open up new tactical options, but delaying Paladin levels will delay access to higher-level spell slots, impacting the effectiveness of Divine Smite.
13. What are some good Oathbreaker Paladin builds focusing on Divine Smite?
A Great Weapon Master build is a classic choice, maximizing damage output on each swing. A Paladin/Warlock multiclass can offer additional spell slots for more frequent Smites, along with Eldritch Blast for ranged combat.
14. Are Oathbreaker Paladins inherently evil?
No. While the Dungeon Master’s Guide defines an Oathbreaker as someone who pursues dark ambition or serves an evil power, it’s possible to play an Oathbreaker with a more nuanced or even redemptive arc.
15. Can an Oathbreaker return to their original oath?
Yes. Many DMs allow Oathbreakers to atone for their transgressions and return to their original oath, potentially even choosing a new one. This typically involves a quest or significant act of redemption.
Conclusion: Embracing the Fallen Path
While the loss of an oath is a significant event, it doesn’t strip an Oathbreaker Paladin of their core abilities. Divine Smite remains a potent weapon in their arsenal, capable of delivering devastating blows fueled by corrupted divine energy. By understanding the lore, mechanics, and synergistic features, players can create compelling and powerful Oathbreaker characters that leave a lasting impact on their campaigns.
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