Does Divine Smite Count as Weapon Damage? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether Divine Smite counts as weapon damage is a common point of confusion for players of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), especially those new to playing a Paladin. The short answer is: Divine Smite does not inherently count as weapon damage itself, but it is added to the weapon’s damage roll for that specific attack. This distinction is crucial for understanding how the Paladin’s powerful Smite abilities interact with other game mechanics.

How Divine Smite Works

Divine Smite is a Paladin class feature that allows them to expend a spell slot to deal additional radiant damage on a successful melee weapon attack. This extra damage is calculated based on the spell slot level used, and it’s added directly to the weapon damage roll from that attack. Therefore, the damage you deal from a Divine Smite is rolled and added on to your weapon damage – it is not considered weapon damage as a singular source of damage.

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding that Divine Smite is additional damage, not a component of the weapon’s base damage, helps in several key areas of gameplay:

• Concentration Saves: The damage dealt is the total damage from the attack, meaning the weapon’s damage plus Divine Smite’s damage is what triggers a Constitution saving throw for concentration checks. If a foe is concentrating on a spell, hitting them with a smiting attack will force them to roll based on the total damage.
• Critical Hits: When an attack is a critical hit, all damage dice are doubled. This includes both the weapon damage dice and the Divine Smite damage dice. Critically smiting will drastically increase the damage dealt.
• Features and Abilities: Certain class abilities, like the Great Weapon Fighting style, specifically affect weapon damage dice. They do not affect the damage dice of Divine Smite because smite damage is radiant damage, not damage specific to the weapon.
• Damage Types: Weapon damage is typically bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing, whereas Divine Smite deals radiant damage. This is crucial because some monsters are resistant or vulnerable to certain damage types.
• Unarmed Strikes: While you can use an unarmed strike to make a melee weapon attack and use Divine Smite, the text of Divine Smite refers to the “weapon’s damage,” and unarmed strikes are not considered a weapon. Therefore, the smite’s bonus damage will apply, but any damage type benefits that may apply to weapons will not apply to unarmed strikes.

In Simple Terms

Think of it this way: Your weapon hits for its normal damage, and then you channel your divine power to add radiant damage on top of that. It’s a synergistic effect, rather than a fundamental change to your weapon’s base damage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Divine Smite require an action?

No. Divine Smite does not require an action, bonus action, or reaction. It is triggered when you successfully hit a creature with a melee weapon attack and you choose to spend a spell slot.

2. Can Divine Smite be used with an unarmed strike?

You can make a melee weapon attack with an unarmed strike, and therefore, Divine Smite can be used. However, because the ability refers to the “weapon’s damage,” there are no bonuses that apply to a weapon that would apply to an unarmed strike.

3. What is the base damage of Divine Smite?

The base damage of a Divine Smite is 2d8 radiant damage. This increases by 1d8 radiant damage for each spell level above 1st. You get an additional 1d8 if the target is undead or a fiend. The maximum damage for a Divine Smite with a 5th level spell slot is 5d8 radiant damage or 6d8 against undead or fiends.

4. Does Divine Smite damage double on a critical hit?

Yes. On a critical hit, all damage dice are doubled. This includes the weapon damage dice and the Divine Smite damage dice.

5. Can you Divine Smite with a punch?

Yes, you can Divine Smite with a punch, as long as it is a melee weapon attack. An unarmed strike can be a melee weapon attack, but is not considered to be a “weapon.”

6. What is the maximum damage for a Divine Smite?

The maximum damage from a single Divine Smite is 5d8 radiant damage. This can increase to 6d8 radiant damage if the target is an undead or a fiend.

7. When can I use Divine Smite?

You can use Divine Smite whenever you successfully hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. You can choose to expend any spell slot to use it, and you can do so multiple times per turn if you have enough attacks.

8. Does Divine Smite make all damage radiant?

No, Divine Smite only adds radiant damage. It does not change the damage type of your weapon attack.

9. Does Divine Smite do extra damage to undead?

Yes, Divine Smite adds an extra 1d8 radiant damage if the target is an undead or a fiend.

10. Does Divine Smite work with Great Weapon Fighting?

The Great Weapon Fighting feature allows you to reroll 1 or 2 on your weapon damage dice, but it does not apply to the damage dice of Divine Smite.

11. Can you use Divine Smite with Inflict Wounds?

No. Inflict Wounds is a spell and does not involve making a melee weapon attack. Divine Smite requires a melee weapon attack.

12. Does Divine Smite work with natural weapons?

Yes, natural weapons (such as claws or horns) can be used with Divine Smite because they count as melee weapon attacks. They also count as unarmed strikes.

13. Can you Divine Smite with a thrown weapon?

No. Throwing a weapon is a ranged weapon attack, and Divine Smite requires a melee weapon attack.

14. Do you have to declare Divine Smite before attacking?

No, you do not have to declare it before attacking. You can choose to use Divine Smite after you hit a target, allowing you to save spell slots if you miss.

15. Can you stack Divine Smite with other effects?

Yes, you can stack Divine Smite with other abilities like Smite Spells, although you can only have one smite spell active at a time.

Conclusion

Divine Smite is a powerful ability that greatly enhances a Paladin’s damage output. By understanding that Divine Smite’s damage is added to, but is not the same as, weapon damage, players can better leverage this feature and make the most of their Paladin’s capabilities in combat. Remember that timing your smites correctly and taking into consideration the total damage, including Divine Smite, will contribute to your success.