Can you Smite while Raging?

The answer to the question Can you smite while raging? is yes, as Divine Smite does not count as casting a spell, allowing Paladins to use it while in a state of rage. This distinction is crucial, as rage typically prevents spell casting and concentration, but Divine Smite operates under different rules, making it a viable option for Paladins in rage.

Understanding Smite and Rage

To fully grasp the nuances of using Smite while raging, it’s essential to delve into the specifics of both Smite and rage in the context of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). Smite is a feature that allows Paladins to deal extra damage to their enemies, fueled by their spell slots. On the other hand, rage is a feature primarily associated with Barbarians, enabling them to enter a state of fury in combat, increasing their strength but limiting their ability to cast spells or concentrate on them.

FAQs about Smite and Rage

General Questions

1. Can you cast any spells while raging? No, rage is clear on this: if you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or concentrate on them while raging.
2. Can you use spell-like abilities while raging? Since spell-like abilities require concentration checks, they cannot be used in a rage.
3. Can you channel divinity while raging? Yes, rage only prevents casting a spell or concentrating on one, so it does not prevent the use of Channel Divinity.
4. Can you lay on hands while raging? While Lay on Hands does not require spell casting, using it might end your rage if no one damages you and you haven’t attacked a hostile creature.

Smite Specifics

5. Can you Smite on a thrown dagger? No, Smite can only be used with a melee weapon attack, not with a thrown weapon unless it’s used in melee.
6. Can you Smite while unarmed? No, Divine Smite isn’t intended to work with unarmed strikes because it refers to the “weapon’s damage.”
7. Can you divine Smite with a bow? No, RAW (Rules As Written), you can’t use Divine Smite with a ranged weapon.
8. Can you Smite with claws? Yes, claws and other natural weapons can be used with Divine Smite because they make melee weapon attacks and count as unarmed strikes.

Rage and Combat

9. Does rage end if you take damage? No, taking damage does not end rage; it continues unless you are knocked unconscious, haven’t attacked or taken damage since your last turn, or choose to end it.
10. Does rage do more damage? Rage increases knockback as the character accumulates more damage but does not directly affect an attack’s damage output.
11. Can you be non-lethal with rage? An attack made while in rage cannot be specified as non-lethal because a character in rage cannot control the damage they inflict.

Ability and Feature Usage

12. Can you use spiritual weapon while raging? Yes, Spiritual Weapon doesn’t require concentration, so it can be used while !raging.
13. Can a raging barbarian use a spell scroll? No, Barbarians cannot Concentrate while raging, making spell scrolls useless for them in this state.
14. Can you critical hit a spell? Spells can perform critical hits if they have an associated attack roll, like the fire bolt cantrip.
15. Can you smite while stunned? Yes, players can still use Smite while stunned, but certain conditions like Suppression can lock out the ability to Smite.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ability to Smite while raging is a nuanced aspect of D&D gameplay, particularly relevant to Paladin/Barbarian multiclass characters. Understanding the rules surrounding Smite, rage, and the interaction between various class features and abilities is crucial for optimizing gameplay and strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, grasping these concepts can elevate your gaming experience and open up new possibilities for character development and combat tactics.