Can You Smite on a Punch? A Paladin’s Guide to Unarmed Smites
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The burning question on every martial-minded paladin’s lips: Can you smite on a punch? The somewhat unsatisfying, but ultimately accurate answer is: it’s complicated. A Paladin’s Divine Smite feature specifically states it works “when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack.” An unarmed strike can be used to make a melee weapon attack, but it itself isn’t a weapon. The feature also refers to “the weapon’s damage,” and again, an unarmed strike isn’t a weapon. The answer rests, therefore, on how strictly your Dungeon Master (DM) interprets these rules. Some DMs may allow it, especially if your paladin has a good reason, perhaps roleplaying wise, and others may not.
Some considerations: The intent of Divine Smite is to augment a paladin’s melee prowess. Denying it on an unarmed strike might seem overly restrictive, especially if the paladin’s character concept leans heavily on hand-to-hand combat. But in the interest of fairness and consistency across all classes in the game, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the rules.
Let’s dive into some Frequently Asked Questions to further explore the nuances of smiting and unarmed combat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Smiting
Can Divine Smite be used with unarmed strikes?
This is the core of the issue. As explained above, the RAW (Rules As Written) interpretation leans towards no. Divine Smite specifies a “melee weapon attack” and refers to “the weapon’s damage.” Unarmed strikes, while used to make melee weapon attacks, are not weapons themselves. However, a DM could rule that the intent of Divine Smite is to enhance melee attacks, and allow it. It’s best to discuss this with your DM before committing to a build that relies on unarmed smites. Consider suggesting a balanced approach such as permitting unarmed smites but with some limitations, such as the damage dealt isn’t boosted as much as if a weapon was used.
Can you smite on each attack?
Yes! There is no limitation on the number of times you can use Divine Smite in a turn, provided you hit the target and have available spell slots. This means if you have the Extra Attack feature, you can smite twice in a turn, burning two spell slots. Use it wisely!
Can you cast a smite spell and use Divine Smite on the same attack?
Absolutely! Smite spells, like Thunderous Smite or Searing Smite, are cast as a bonus action. Divine Smite, however, is a class feature that requires no action. You can cast a smite spell as a bonus action, and then, when your attack hits, you can choose to use Divine Smite on the same attack, dealing even more damage. Note that the smite spell is still only consumed on a hit. If you miss, the spell is still active.
Can you smite with gauntlets?
This is less ambiguous. Gauntlets are generally considered simple melee weapons. Therefore, a Divine Smite would work perfectly fine with a gauntlet attack. Check with your DM to confirm how they will interpret the rules.
Can you cast Divine Smite after hitting?
Yes, absolutely! This is a crucial point. Divine Smite is not a spell, but a class feature. It doesn’t require a bonus action or any action beforehand. You decide to use it after you’ve successfully hit with a melee weapon attack. This makes it tactically flexible. You can see if you really need the extra damage before expending a precious spell slot.
Can you smite on a shove?
No. Divine Smite only applies to melee weapon attacks that hit. A shove is a special melee attack, but it doesn’t deal damage. Therefore, it cannot trigger Divine Smite.
Can you smite with claws or natural weapons?
This depends on how the natural weapons are defined. If the claws or natural weapons are considered melee weapons and are used to make melee weapon attacks, then yes, you can smite with them. However, this is another area where DM interpretation is key. Some DMs might rule that natural weapons function more like unarmed strikes, leading to the same debate as the initial question.
Can you smite twice in a turn?
As previously mentioned, Divine Smite can be used multiple times per turn, once for each successful melee weapon attack. If you have Extra Attack or other abilities that grant additional attacks, you can potentially smite multiple times. Just be mindful of your spell slots!
Can you smite by throwing a weapon?
No. Divine Smite requires a melee attack with a weapon. A thrown weapon attack is a ranged attack, even if the weapon itself is normally used in melee. The moment the weapon leaves your hand, it’s no longer a melee attack.
Does smite damage double on a crit?
Yes! Any damage dice that are part of an attack that hits critically are doubled. This includes the damage dice from Divine Smite. This is where Divine Smite truly shines, turning a critical hit into a devastating blow.
Can you rage and smite?
This is a multi-classing question! Technically, if a Paladin/Barbarian multi-class exists, the answer is yes. A barbarian’s Rage doesn’t prevent the use of Divine Smite. It is unlikely, but you can smite during a Rage.
Can you counterspell Divine Smite?
No, you cannot counterspell Divine Smite. Divine Smite is not a spell, even though it expends a spell slot. It’s a class feature that is triggered by an attack, not a casting.
Can you twin smite spells?
No. Twinned Spell metamagic requires a spell that targets only one creature and doesn’t have a range of self. Smite spells all have a range of self, so they cannot be twinned.
Can you smite on a grapple?
No. Grapples are special melee attacks that don’t deal damage. Since Divine Smite requires an attack that hits and deals damage, it cannot be used on a grapple attempt.
Does Great Weapon Fighting style affect Divine Smite damage?
The Great Weapon Fighting style allows you to reroll 1s and 2s on damage dice from weapon attacks made with two-handed weapons. However, the rules differ slightly between the actual game and the online video game, Baldur’s Gate 3. In BG3, it appears to be a bug that doesn’t let you reroll a 1 or 2 rolled with Divine Smite when using a Greatsword.
The Importance of DM Interpretation
As you can see, many of these questions come down to DM interpretation. The rules of D&D are designed to provide a framework, but ultimately, the DM has the final say on how those rules are applied in their game.
Before embarking on a paladin build, especially one that deviates from standard weapon-and-shield fare, it’s crucial to have a conversation with your DM about their rulings on these types of scenarios. Clear communication will ensure a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.
By understanding the rules, the spirit of the game, and working collaboratively with your DM, you can create a memorable and effective paladin, whether they smite with a greatsword, a gauntlet, or, perhaps, even a well-placed punch. To continue your studies on gaming and game-based learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.