Divine Smite and Bonus Actions in D&D 5e: A Paladin’s Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is no, you cannot directly use Divine Smite on a bonus action in D&D 5e. Divine Smite is triggered when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. Bonus actions don’t inherently involve such attacks. However, the interaction is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, which we will explore below.
Understanding Divine Smite
Divine Smite is a core feature of the Paladin class. Starting at 2nd level, it allows you to expend a spell slot to deal additional radiant damage when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. The damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, increasing by 1d8 for each level higher, up to a maximum of 5d8. The beauty of Divine Smite is that it’s a reactive ability, meaning you make the decision to use it after you know you’ve hit your target.
Key Mechanics
- Melee Weapon Attack Trigger: Divine Smite specifically requires a successful melee weapon attack. It cannot be used with spells, ranged attacks, or other actions that don’t involve hitting a creature with a melee weapon.
- Spell Slot Expenditure: Divine Smite requires the expenditure of a spell slot. This means you can only use it as many times as you have available spell slots of 1st level or higher.
- Timing: The decision to use Divine Smite is made after you hit but before you roll damage. This allows you to strategically conserve spell slots if you don’t need the extra damage.
- Extra Damage: The extra damage is radiant, which is particularly effective against undead and fiends, dealing an additional 1d8 radiant damage to those creature types.
Bonus Actions and Combat
Bonus actions are smaller actions a character can take on their turn, in addition to their main action and movement. Some common bonus actions include:
- Casting certain spells: Certain spells like Healing Word require a bonus action to cast.
- Two-Weapon Fighting: Attacking with an off-hand weapon.
- Using certain class features: Many classes, including Paladins, have features that utilize bonus actions.
Indirect Interactions
While you cannot directly attach Divine Smite to a bonus action, there are scenarios where bonus actions can indirectly influence your ability to use it:
- Smite Spells: Some Paladin spells, known as “Smite Spells” (e.g., Thunderous Smite, Wrathful Smite), require a bonus action to cast. These spells enhance your next melee weapon attack, and if that attack hits, you can then use Divine Smite in addition to the Smite spell’s effect. It is important to note, smite spells don’t stack.
- Action Economy Optimization: Efficient use of bonus actions can free up your action to make more melee weapon attacks, thereby increasing the opportunities to use Divine Smite.
Example Scenario
Let’s say a Paladin casts Thunderous Smite (a bonus action). On their next turn, they use their action to make a melee weapon attack. If the attack hits, they can choose to expend a spell slot to use Divine Smite in addition to the Thunderous Smite damage and effects. This highlights how a bonus action can set up a situation for Divine Smite.
Oathbreaker Paladins and Unique Abilities
Oathbreaker Paladins, often considered an “evil” subclass, have abilities that might use bonus actions, potentially impacting how they sequence their attacks and smites. For example, an Oathbreaker might use a bonus action to control undead or inflict fear, setting the stage for later melee weapon attacks empowered by Divine Smite.
Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3
In games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Oathbreaker Paladins have high damage and the ability to control undead. The Spiteful Suffering subclass ability adds necrotic damage to targets, and you get Hellish Rebuke adding damage passively. At various levels, you unlock useful spells and skills to control and manipulate undead.
FAQs: Divine Smite Deep Dive
1. Can I use Divine Smite with an unarmed strike?
While an unarmed strike counts as a melee attack, Divine Smite specifies that it adds damage to the “weapon’s damage.” Since an unarmed strike isn’t a weapon, Divine Smite typically cannot be used with it. A DM may rule differently, but RAW (Rules As Written) says no.
2. Can I use multiple spell slots for Divine Smite on a single attack?
No. Divine Smite allows you to expend only one spell slot per attack. You cannot stack multiple spell slots to increase the damage on a single hit.
3. Does Divine Smite damage double on a critical hit?
Yes! Any damage dice rolled as part of a critical hit are doubled, including the radiant damage dice from Divine Smite. This can lead to devastating amounts of damage.
4. Can I use Divine Smite with Green Flame Blade?
Yes. If you hit with Green Flame Blade, you can choose to use Divine Smite. The Divine Smite damage applies to the primary target of Green Flame Blade.
5. Does Divine Smite work in an Antimagic Field?
No. Divine Smite is a magical effect and wouldn’t work inside an Antimagic Field. The damage boost from Improved Divine Strike would still apply, as it is not described as magical.
6. Does Divine Smite stack with Smite spells?
Yes, but indirectly. You can use Divine Smite on the same attack that benefits from a Smite spell. However, you cannot have more than one Smite spell active at a time, as they require concentration.
7. Can you cast a spell and use Divine Smite in the same turn?
Yes. You can cast a spell during the same turn that you use Divine Smite, provided the spell doesn’t interfere with your ability to make a melee weapon attack.
8. Is Divine Smite considered a spell?
No, Divine Smite is a class feature. It uses spell slots as a resource, but it is not itself a spell. This means it cannot be Counterspelled or affected by abilities that target spells.
9. Can I Divine Smite with a Dancing Sword?
No. The Dancing Sword uses your stats to make its attack roll. Because you are not making the attack, you cannot Divine Smite it.
10. Can a Paladin serve no god and still use Divine Smite?
Yes. While many Paladins are devoted to gods, their power comes from their commitment to their oath. They do not necessarily need a deity to channel divine magic. All Paladins receive their power from deities whether they are aware of it or not.
11. What’s the difference between Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite?
Divine Smite is a Paladin feature that can be used once per attack. Eldritch Smite is a Warlock invocation that can only be used once per turn, but has other additional effects.
12. What’s the strongest Paladin subclass for Divine Smite?
While all Paladin subclasses can effectively use Divine Smite, some are better optimized for maximizing melee damage output. Vengeance paladins often excel due to their offensive spells and abilities.
13. How does Divine Smite scale?
Divine Smite scales based on the level of the spell slot expended. It starts at 2d8 radiant damage for a 1st-level slot and increases by 1d8 for each higher level, up to 5d8 for a 4th-level or higher slot.
14. Can Divine Smite be used on ranged attacks?
No. Divine Smite specifically requires a melee weapon attack.
15. How does multiclassing affect Divine Smite?
Multiclassing doesn’t directly change how Divine Smite works, but it can affect your spell slot progression. Having more spell slots (especially higher-level ones) from other classes can allow you to use Divine Smite more often and with greater damage. However, you must have at least 2 levels in Paladin to gain the Divine Smite feature.
Divine Smite: A Powerful Tool
Divine Smite is one of the Paladin class’s most iconic and potent abilities. While it doesn’t directly interact with bonus actions, understanding its mechanics and how bonus actions can set up situations for its use is crucial for playing an effective Paladin. By strategically using spell slots and optimizing your action economy, you can unleash devastating bursts of radiant damage and uphold your oath with righteous fury. Understanding the subtleties in the rules lets players be creative and strategize optimal character options.
Learn more about the design principles and theory that underlies games like D&D at the Games Learning Society. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to explore how games can enhance education and skill development.