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Can You Twin Smite Spells? A Paladin’s Guide to Divine Justice

The short answer is no, you cannot Twin Smite Spells. The Twinned Spell metamagic option, available to Sorcerers, specifies that the spell must target only one creature and have a range other than self. Since all official Smite Spells have a Range: Self, they are ineligible for the Twinned Spell metamagic. Let’s dive into the intricacies of Smite spells and how they interact with other features, abilities, and game rules.

Understanding Smite Spells and Divine Smite

Before we delve deeper, it’s crucial to differentiate between Smite Spells and the Divine Smite class feature of the Paladin. While both involve dealing extra radiant damage and invoking divine power, they function very differently.

Smite Spells: These spells (like Thunderous Smite, Wrathful Smite, Branding Smite, etc.) are spells that a Paladin can cast as a bonus action. They imbue the Paladin’s next melee weapon attack with additional effects, often including extra damage and a rider effect (like knocking a creature prone or frightening it). These spells require concentration and are consumed on a successful hit.
Divine Smite: This is a Paladin class feature that allows them to expend a spell slot whenever they hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. The Divine Smite deals extra radiant damage and doesn’t require concentration. It’s a powerful and versatile tool in a Paladin’s arsenal.

Why Smite Spells Can’t Be Twinned

The Twinned Spell metamagic is a potent ability that allows a Sorcerer to target two creatures with a single-target spell. However, there are strict limitations:

Targets One Creature: The spell must explicitly target only one creature.
Range Other Than Self: The spell’s range cannot be “Self.”

Because all the Smite Spells have a Range: Self, they fail to meet the second condition. The spell affects the Paladin themselves, empowering their next attack. The attack is what affects the enemy and not the spell directly. Therefore, Twinned Spell cannot be used to apply a Smite Spell to two different targets.

Optimizing Smite Usage

Despite not being able to Twin Smite spells, Paladins have plenty of ways to maximize their effectiveness in combat. Understanding the nuances of how smites work can significantly impact a character’s damage output and control abilities. If you would like to learn more about using RPGs and games in education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Divine Smite: The Cornerstone

Divine Smite remains the Paladin’s bread and butter. Here’s what you need to know:

Spell Slot Flexibility: You can use any spell slot you have available, regardless of its origin. This is especially important for multiclass Paladins who might have spell slots from other classes like Sorcerer or Warlock.
No Concentration: Divine Smite doesn’t require concentration, freeing you up to cast other concentration spells.
Multiple Smites Per Turn: If you have Extra Attack (or other ways to make multiple attacks), you can use Divine Smite on each successful hit, expending a spell slot for each.
Critical Hits: Divine Smite damage dice are doubled on a critical hit.

Combining Divine Smite with Smite Spells

A Paladin can combine the use of a Smite Spell and Divine Smite on the same attack. Cast the Smite Spell as a bonus action, then on a successful hit, expend a spell slot for Divine Smite to add even more damage.

Multiclassing and Smite

Multiclassing can open up interesting options for Paladins, though it requires careful planning.

Warlock and Eldritch Smite: A Paladin/Warlock can use Eldritch Smite, a Warlock invocation, in conjunction with Divine Smite. However, Eldritch Smite requires a Warlock spell slot, while Divine Smite can use any spell slot.
Sorcerer and Metamagic: While you can’t Twin Smite Spells, other metamagic options like Quickened Spell can be beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you stack Smite Spells?

No, you cannot stack Smite Spells. They all require a bonus action to cast and require concentration. Casting a second Smite Spell would break concentration on the first.

2. Can you use multiclass spell slots for Smite?

Yes, you can use any spell slot from any class to fuel your Divine Smite. The game’s multiclassing rules combine your spell slots for spellcasting purposes.

3. Can you Smite twice in one turn?

Yes, if you have the Extra Attack feature or another way to make multiple attacks, you can use Divine Smite on each successful hit, expending a spell slot each time.

4. Can you combine Thunderous Smite and Divine Smite?

Yes, you can combine Thunderous Smite and Divine Smite. Cast Thunderous Smite as a bonus action, and then use Divine Smite on the same attack.

5. Can you use a Smite Spell and Divine Smite at the same time?

Yes, a Paladin can cast a Smite Spell as a bonus action and then use Divine Smite on the same attack.

6. Can you use Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite at the same time?

Yes, you can use Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite on the same attack. Eldritch Smite requires a Warlock spell slot, while Divine Smite can use any spell slot.

7. Is Smite damage doubled on a crit?

Yes, if you score a critical hit, all damage dice from Divine Smite are doubled, up to a maximum of 10d8 (or 12d8 against undead and fiends).

8. What are the rules for Divine Smite?

Divine Smite allows you to expend a spell slot when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack 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.

9. Can you Smite and cast a spell in the same turn?

Yes, by casting a Smite Spell as a bonus action and then using Divine Smite on the same attack, you can effectively use two spell slots in one turn.

10. Does Eldritch Smite use a spell slot?

Yes, Eldritch Smite requires you to expend a Warlock spell slot.

11. Can I Divine Smite with Warlock spell slots?

Yes, as a Paladin/Warlock multiclass, you can use your Warlock spell slots for Divine Smite. All your spell slots are pooled together for spellcasting purposes.

12. Can you Smite twice in a round?

Yes, you can use Divine Smite as many times as you hit with melee weapon attacks in a round, provided you have enough spell slots.

13. Do Smite Spells only work once?

Smite Spells last for up to 1 minute (10 rounds) and are consumed on a hit. If you miss, the Smite Spell remains active, requiring concentration.

14. Can you Smite on a Smite Spell?

Yes, you can expend a spell slot to use Divine Smite on an attack that is also empowered by a Smite Spell. This would use two spell slots.

15. Can you Divine Smite after casting a spell?

Yes, you can cast a Smite Spell as a bonus action, and then use Divine Smite on the same attack.

Conclusion

While the dream of Twinned Smite spells remains out of reach, the Paladin’s arsenal is far from lacking. By understanding the interplay between Divine Smite, Smite Spells, multiclassing options, and metamagic, you can build a formidable champion of justice. Remember, the key is to strategically utilize your resources and capitalize on opportunities to deliver devastating blows. GamesLearningSociety.org offers great insights into RPG and game development. So, go forth, Paladin, and smite your foes with righteous fury!

Can you twin smite spells?