Does Antimagic Stop Divine Smite?
The short, direct answer is yes, an Antimagic Field does stop Divine Smite. While Divine Smite isn’t a spell, it is a magical effect that relies on the channeling of divine energy. The core principle of an Antimagic Field is to suppress all magical effects, with very few exceptions. As such, Divine Smite falls squarely within the purview of what an Antimagic Field negates.
Let’s delve deeper into this interaction, exploring the nuances and clarifying common questions surrounding Divine Smite and its vulnerability to Antimagic Fields.
Understanding Divine Smite
Divine Smite is a powerful ability available to Paladins, allowing them to amplify their melee weapon attacks with radiant damage. It is triggered when a Paladin hits a creature with a melee weapon attack and chooses to expend a Paladin spell slot. The amount of bonus radiant damage dealt increases with the level of the spell slot expended, reaching a maximum of 5d8 (or 6d8 against undead or fiends).
It’s crucial to understand that while it requires the expenditure of a Paladin spell slot, Divine Smite itself is not a spell. It’s a channeled use of divine power, adding magical energy to a weapon attack. The wording is clear: it’s not cast, you channel divine energy. This distinction is important because spells are explicitly shut down by Antimagic Fields.
How Antimagic Field Works
The Antimagic Field spell creates a sphere where magic is suppressed. As described in the official texts, “Spells and other magical effects, except those created by an artifact or a deity, are suppressed in the sphere and can’t protrude into it.” This means that the field disables most forms of magic within its area.
Crucially, Antimagic Field is explicitly clear that it affects “other magical effects,” meaning anything that isn’t explicitly a spell, or from a deity or artifact. As Divine Smite is a magical effect and not a spell, it falls under the category of effects suppressed by Antimagic Field.
The Interaction: Antimagic Field and Divine Smite
Since Divine Smite is considered a magical effect, it is suppressed within an Antimagic Field. The key point here is that the field does not discriminate between the sources of the magic. It doesn’t matter if the magic is divine, arcane, or elemental; if it is a magical effect within the area of the field, it will be suppressed.
This suppression means that a Paladin within an Antimagic Field cannot activate Divine Smite on their melee weapon attacks. They can still attack, but without the added radiant damage, they lose a significant portion of their offensive capabilities.
The expended Paladin spell slot is still consumed if the attempt is made within the field, making it a costly and wasted effort. This is because a spell slot is expended to attempt to activate the feature, but the field prevents the feature from activating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions concerning Divine Smite and Antimagic Fields, providing further clarification and insights:
1. Can you use Divine Smite with Pact Magic slots?
No. Divine Smite specifically states that it requires the use of a Paladin spell slot. This explicitly excludes Pact Magic spell slots gained from a Warlock class.
2. Does Divine Smite work in an Area of Silence?
Yes, Divine Smite works in an Area of Silence. As Divine Smite is not a spell, a sphere of magical silence has no impact on its functionality.
3. Does the Savage Attacker feat apply to Divine Smite?
No, feats such as “Savage Attacker”, which allow you to re-roll weapon damage dice, apply only to the weapon’s damage dice, not the damage dice from Divine Smite.
4. Does Antimagic Field affect other forms of divine magic?
Yes. The effects of divine spells are indeed subject to an Antimagic Field and do not function within it. However, the text refers to direct divine intervention from deities as an exception, not effects given from a class that uses a deity as their source of power.
5. Does Antimagic Field stop Channel Divinity?
Yes, an Antimagic Field will suppress Channel Divinity effects, as they are also considered magical effects.
6. What exactly is affected by Antimagic Field?
Antimagic Field suppresses spells and other magical effects. However, effects created by an artifact or a deity are exceptions and continue to function.
7. Does the Amulet of the Devout affect Divine Smite?
The Amulet of the Devout enhances spellcasting, but does not affect Divine Smite. It will, however, enhance the usage of Channel Divinity with an added use and spellcasting.
8. Can you use Divine Smite with a thrown weapon?
No. Divine Smite requires a melee weapon attack, and a thrown weapon is considered a ranged weapon attack.
9. Can you use Divine Smite multiple times in one turn?
Yes. You can use Divine Smite multiple times per turn as long as you make multiple successful melee weapon attacks, and have the necessary spell slots to spend.
10. Can you Counterspell an Antimagic Field?
Yes, the casting of Antimagic Field can be counterspelled. This is a direct spell being cast, and as such, can be countered.
11. Can Dispel Magic dispel an Antimagic Field?
No, Dispel Magic cannot remove an Antimagic Field. Only more powerful spells like Mage’s Disjunction can do so.
12. Does Antimagic Field cancel True Polymorph?
An Antimagic Field suppresses True Polymorph and not remove it. The polymorphed creature would revert to its original form if removed from the area of effect or they hit 0 HP while in it, and then are removed from the field.
13. Is Divine Smite damage doubled on a critical hit?
Yes, all damage dice are doubled on a critical hit, including the extra damage dice from Divine Smite.
14. Can you use a Smite spell and Divine Smite on the same attack?
Yes, the Smite spells require a Bonus Action to cast, and Divine Smite does not, allowing for both to be used on the same attack. The only caveat is that concentration is required for Smite spells.
15. Does Divine Smite stack with Eldritch Smite?
Yes. You can use both Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite on the same attack. Divine Smite is once per attack, whereas Eldritch Smite is only once per turn.
Conclusion
In summary, while a potent ability, Divine Smite is vulnerable to an Antimagic Field, as the latter suppresses all forms of magic that are not directly related to a deity. This understanding helps players make informed decisions in combat situations where an Antimagic Field is involved. Remember that Divine Smite is not a spell itself, but a magical effect that is subject to the limitations imposed by an Antimagic Field. Be wary of environments with anti-magic, as they can severely curtail the capabilities of divine warriors.