Can You Smite with an Unarmed Strike? A Paladin’s Guide to Divine Justice
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Yes, sometimes you can Divine Smite with an unarmed strike, but it’s not as straightforward as wielding a longsword. The key lies in how the unarmed strike is defined and whether it’s considered a melee weapon attack. This distinction hinges on specific character features, racial abilities, or even DM rulings that might classify an unarmed strike as a natural weapon. Let’s delve into the nuances and explore how a Paladin can deliver righteous fury with their fists (or claws, or teeth!).
The Core Issue: Unarmed Strikes vs. Melee Weapon Attacks
The Divine Smite feature, a cornerstone of the Paladin class in D&D 5th Edition, explicitly states: “Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage.”
The crucial phrases are “melee weapon attack” and “weapon’s damage.” An unarmed strike is a melee attack, but it is not inherently considered a melee weapon attack, nor does it inherently deal weapon damage. A standard unarmed strike deals bludgeoning damage (typically 1+STR), but isn’t considered weapon damage. This is where the exceptions and edge cases come into play.
Natural Weapons: The Loophole for Smite-Happy Paladins
The most common way to smite with an unarmed strike is through the use of natural weapons. Some races or feats grant characters natural weapons like claws, teeth, or horns. These natural weapons are explicitly considered weapons for the purpose of making melee weapon attacks.
For example, a Lizardfolk‘s bite or a Tabaxi‘s claws are natural weapons. They are used to make melee weapon attacks, and they deal a specific type of damage. Because they are weapons, Divine Smite can be applied when you hit with them.
Monks and Martial Arts: A Complication
Monks gain proficiency with unarmed strikes, increasing their damage die as they level up. However, the Monk’s Martial Arts feature does not automatically transform unarmed strikes into melee weapon attacks for the purpose of Divine Smite. The unarmed strikes still aren’t considered weapons, though they use the monk’s Martial Arts die for damage. Multiclassing Paladin and Monk doesn’t automatically allow you to Smite with your martial arts strikes unless your unarmed strike is considered a weapon.
The Improvised Weapon Conundrum
An improvised weapon is an object used as a weapon, but it isn’t designed as such. Using a chair or a bottle as a weapon allows for a melee weapon attack, but because the attack must hit with a melee weapon attack, divine smite cannot be activated when swinging a creature into another object.
DM Discretion: The Ultimate Arbiter
Ultimately, the application of Divine Smite to unarmed strikes can depend on the Dungeon Master’s interpretation and ruling. Some DMs might allow it if a character has a particularly compelling reason or backstory, or if the unarmed strike is flavored in a way that makes it feel more like a weapon attack. However, it’s crucial to discuss this with your DM beforehand to avoid any surprises during gameplay.
This approach to game rules highlights the value of understanding the social dynamics and negotiation skills involved in tabletop role-playing games. These aspects of gaming are explored in research from institutions like the Games Learning Society (visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more).
Divine Smite and You: Key Takeaways
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Standard unarmed strikes generally do not work with Divine Smite because they are not considered melee weapon attacks with a weapon.
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Natural weapons (claws, teeth, etc.) do work with Divine Smite because they are considered melee weapon attacks with a weapon.
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Monk’s Martial Arts feature does not automatically allow Divine Smite with unarmed strikes, but talk to your DM for specific rulings.
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Always clarify with your DM regarding their interpretation of the rules, especially when dealing with edge cases.
By understanding these rules and nuances, you can make informed decisions about your Paladin’s build and playstyle, ensuring you deliver divine justice in the most effective and flavorful way possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Divine Smite on an unarmed strike if I take the Tavern Brawler feat?
The Tavern Brawler feat makes you proficient with improvised weapons and unarmed strikes, and it increases your damage die for unarmed strikes to 1d4. It doesn’t explicitly turn unarmed strikes into weapons, so RAW, it still does not allow you to Divine Smite on unarmed strikes. However, consult your DM as they may rule otherwise.
2. If I multiclass into Monk, can I use my Martial Arts die for Divine Smite?
No. While multiclassing into Monk improves your unarmed strike damage, it doesn’t make your unarmed strikes a weapon for the purpose of Divine Smite. The unarmed strikes use your Martial Arts die, but isn’t considered weapon damage.
3. What if I describe my unarmed strike as a headbutt or a powerful kick? Does that change anything?
Flavor is important, but it doesn’t change the rules mechanically. Unless your DM rules otherwise, a flavored unarmed strike is still just an unarmed strike, not a melee weapon attack with a weapon for the purposes of Divine Smite.
4. Can a DM create a magic item that allows Divine Smite on unarmed strikes?
Absolutely! A DM can create a magic item, such as magical gauntlets or brass knuckles, that explicitly allows you to treat your unarmed strikes as melee weapon attacks with a weapon for the purpose of Divine Smite. This is a great way to customize the game and allow for unique character builds.
5. Does the Improved Divine Smite feature change anything about unarmed strikes?
Improved Divine Smite, which adds 1d8 radiant damage to all of your melee weapon attacks, still requires you to be making a melee weapon attack with a weapon. So, it doesn’t inherently change the interaction with unarmed strikes unless they are already considered weapons.
6. Can I Divine Smite with my Spiritual Weapon spell?
No. Spiritual Weapon creates a floating, spectral weapon that attacks on its own. The spell description doesn’t specify that you are making a melee weapon attack with a weapon. Instead, the spell makes the attack. Therefore, Divine Smite cannot be used with Spiritual Weapon.
7. Can I combine Divine Smite with a Smite spell like Wrathful Smite?
Yes! You can combine a Smite spell (e.g., Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite) with Divine Smite. The Smite spell adds its effect on a hit, and you can then choose to expend a spell slot to add the Divine Smite damage on top of that.
8. If I have Extra Attack, can I Divine Smite with both attacks?
Yes. If you have the Extra Attack feature and you hit with both attacks, you can expend a spell slot to use Divine Smite with each attack. This can quickly burn through your spell slots, but it’s a devastating burst of damage.
9. Can I use Divine Smite on a critical hit?
Yes! If you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, all the damage dice are doubled, including the Divine Smite damage dice. This can result in massive damage, especially against undead or fiends. Any damage dice that are a part of an attack that hits critically are doubled per RAW.
10. Can I use Divine Smite if I’m silenced?
Yes. Divine Smite is not a spell; it’s a class feature that is fueled by spell slots. Being silenced only prevents you from casting spells with a verbal component, so you can still use Divine Smite.
11. Does Rage prevent me from using Divine Smite?
No. Rage, the Barbarian’s signature ability, prevents you from casting spells, but Divine Smite is not a spell. You can still use Divine Smite while raging.
12. Can I Divine Smite with a ranged weapon attack?
No. Divine Smite explicitly requires a melee weapon attack. Ranged weapon attacks do not qualify, even if you are using a melee weapon to make the attack (like throwing a dagger).
13. Can I use Divine Smite on an opportunity attack?
Yes, as long as the opportunity attack is a melee weapon attack with a weapon. If you’re wielding a weapon and make a melee weapon attack as an opportunity attack, you can use Divine Smite if you hit.
14. Can I use Divine Smite with a javelin?
Yes, as long as you are making a melee weapon attack with the Javelin. Throwing a Javelin uses a ranged weapon attack, so divine smite would not work in that instance.
15. Can I use Divine Smite on a shove attack?
No. A shove attack is a special melee attack, but it doesn’t deal damage and is not a melee weapon attack. Divine Smite requires hitting a creature with a melee weapon attack that deals damage.