Can You Combine Branding Smite and Divine Smite? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is a resounding yes! You can absolutely combine Branding Smite with Divine Smite in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5e). This combination can result in some incredibly potent single-target damage, making your Paladin a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. This article will break down how these mechanics work together, why they’re allowed, and what other interactions are possible, alongside answering many related questions. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the Mechanics
Branding Smite
Branding Smite is a 2nd-level Paladin spell that you cast as a bonus action. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack within 1 minute of casting the spell, it deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage and is marked by a glowing brand for the duration of the spell, making it harder for the creature to hide. Crucially, the spell is not consumed when you cast it; it is only consumed upon a successful hit.
Divine Smite
Divine Smite is a core Paladin ability. It isn’t a spell, nor does it require an action to use. Instead, whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can choose to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage. The damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. If the target is undead or a fiend, this damage is increased by 1d8. Importantly, Divine Smite can be used on every successful melee hit, provided you have spell slots available and are wielding a melee weapon.
The Combination
The combination is straightforward: you use your bonus action to cast Branding Smite and then use your action to attack. If you hit with that attack, you can then choose to activate your Divine Smite at the same time that Branding Smite takes effect. This means that on a single successful melee weapon attack, you’re inflicting your normal weapon damage, plus 2d6 radiant from Branding Smite, and 2d8-5d8 (or 3d8-6d8 against undead/fiends) radiant from Divine Smite, based on the spell slot you expend. It’s a powerful alpha strike, or a consistent, powerful attack throughout combat.
Why It Works
The key to this combination working is that Branding Smite is a bonus action, and Divine Smite is a free action when hitting. There are no explicit restrictions in either ability preventing their use together. They are entirely separate mechanics that trigger off the same event – a successful melee weapon attack. There is no conflict in timing or type, which makes them perfectly compatible.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you stack multiple Smite spells with Divine Smite?
No, you cannot stack multiple Smite Spells with Divine Smite. You can have only one Smite Spell active at a time because they are concentration spells and only consume the spell upon a hit. But you can certainly use Divine Smite with an active Smite Spell.
2. Can you use Divine Smite on a miss?
No, Divine Smite can only be activated on a successful hit with a melee weapon attack. It is not a reaction; it activates only when you successfully make a melee weapon attack. If your attack misses, you cannot use Divine Smite.
3. Can you combine Thunderous Smite and Divine Smite?
Yes, absolutely. You can combine Thunderous Smite and Divine Smite. You cast Thunderous Smite as a bonus action, then attack. If the attack hits, both damage effects can be applied simultaneously.
4. Can you use Divine Smite with Eldritch Smite?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite together on the same attack if you are a multiclass Paladin/Warlock. However, you must use Warlock spell slots to activate Eldritch Smite, and Divine Smite can be used with any spell slot. Additionally, Eldritch Smite can only be used once per turn.
5. Can you use Divine Smite twice in one turn?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite multiple times in a turn. The only restriction is that you need to have spell slots available and successfully hit a target. If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can potentially use Divine Smite twice, or even more, with additional attacks.
6. Can you twin Smite spells?
No, you cannot twin Smite Spells such as Branding Smite, Thunderous Smite, Searing Smite or Wrathful Smite. They have a range of “Self”, which makes them invalid targets for the Twinned Spell metamagic option.
7. Is Divine Smite damage doubled on a critical hit?
Yes, any damage dice from a critical hit are doubled. The damage dice from Divine Smite are doubled on a critical hit, effectively making your burst damage even higher. The damage dice from any other smite spells like Branding Smite are also doubled.
8. Is Divine Smite unlimited?
No, Divine Smite is limited by your spell slots available and the maximum number of damage dice. You can use Divine Smite whenever you successfully hit with a melee weapon attack, but you can only use one spell slot per hit, with a maximum damage of 5d8, or 6d8 versus undead or fiends.
9. Can you use Divine Smite with a Javelin?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite with a javelin. Throwing a javelin is considered a melee weapon attack with a melee weapon, which is all that Divine Smite requires.
10. Is Eldritch Smite better than Divine Smite?
Eldritch Smite isn’t strictly “better” than Divine Smite, but it has different strengths. Eldritch Smite deals force damage, which is less frequently resisted, whereas Divine Smite deals radiant damage. Both have unique strengths and uses depending on the creature you are facing.
11. Can you use Divine Smite with a Dancing Sword?
No, you cannot use Divine Smite with a Dancing Sword since it is not the Paladin doing the attack. Divine Smite requires the Paladin to use the melee weapon in the attack.
12. Is Divine Smite a spell or a cantrip?
Divine Smite is neither a spell nor a cantrip. It is a core class feature that requires the expenditure of a spell slot when activated after a successful melee weapon attack, but it has no verbal components and does not occupy a spell slot slot prior to its activation.
13. Is Divine Smite affected by antimagic?
Yes, Divine Smite is affected by an Antimagic Field because it uses a spell slot, even though it is not a spell. It is still considered a magical effect, but the damage from the Improved Divine Smite feature does not.
14. What is the highest spell slot you can use for Divine Smite?
You can expend any spell slot you have available for Divine Smite, but the damage is capped at a maximum of 5d8 (or 6d8 against undead and fiends).
15. Can you use Divine Smite with Natural Weapons?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite with natural weapons like claws or horns as long as these natural weapons are treated as melee weapon attacks.
Conclusion
The combination of Branding Smite and Divine Smite is a powerful way to enhance your Paladin’s combat effectiveness. By understanding the mechanics and limitations of these abilities, you can unleash devastating attacks and ensure that you are making the most of your class features. Remember to keep an eye on your spell slots and use these abilities strategically to dominate the battlefield. Don’t hesitate to experiment with these combinations to find the best way to fit them into your strategy.