Does Divine Smite Interrupt Concentration? The Definitive Guide
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No, Divine Smite does not inherently interrupt a creature’s concentration. Divine Smite adds radiant damage to an attack, but it doesn’t directly impose any condition or effect that forces a concentration check. However, the damage dealt by Divine Smite can potentially force a concentration check if it meets or exceeds certain thresholds.
Understanding Concentration and Damage
Concentration in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a crucial mechanic for maintaining the effects of many spells. When a creature is concentrating on a spell, certain events can force them to make a Constitution saving throw to maintain that concentration. The relevant rule from the Player’s Handbook states: “If you take damage while you are concentrating on a spell, you must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration. The DC equals 10, or half the damage you take, whichever number is higher.”
This means the only way Divine Smite affects concentration is through the damage it contributes to an attack. If the total damage from the attack, including the Divine Smite damage, is high enough, it can force a concentration check.
Divine Smite’s Mechanics
Divine Smite is a Paladin feature that allows them to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage on a melee weapon attack. This damage is added to the weapon’s damage, and any other applicable damage bonuses. Crucially, Divine Smite itself doesn’t impose any conditions like being stunned, frightened, or poisoned, all of which would automatically interrupt concentration.
The process is straightforward:
- The Paladin makes a melee weapon attack.
- If the attack hits, the Paladin can choose to expend a spell slot to activate Divine Smite.
- The Divine Smite damage is added to the attack’s total damage.
- If the target is concentrating and takes damage, they must make a Constitution saving throw as described above.
The Chain of Events: Smite to Damage to Concentration Check
Therefore, the key takeaway is that Divine Smite itself is not a direct concentration interrupter. It’s a damage amplifier. The damage resulting from the use of Divine Smite is what might trigger the concentration check. The larger the spell slot expended and the more damage dealt, the greater the chance that the target will have to make – and potentially fail – a concentration save.
Factors Increasing the Chance of Interruption
Several factors can increase the likelihood of a Paladin’s Divine Smite interrupting a creature’s concentration:
- Higher Spell Slots: Expending higher-level spell slots increases the amount of radiant damage dealt by Divine Smite, thus increasing the total damage and the DC of the concentration saving throw.
- Critical Hits: A critical hit doubles the weapon damage dice and the Divine Smite damage dice, leading to a substantial damage spike. This almost always forces a high DC concentration check.
- Other Damage Bonuses: Combining Divine Smite with other damage bonuses, such as those from magic weapons or other class features, can further increase the overall damage output, increasing the likelihood of a high DC concentration check.
- Target’s Constitution: A creature with a low Constitution score and/or a poor proficiency in Constitution saving throws is less likely to succeed on the concentration check, making them more vulnerable to losing concentration after being hit with a Divine Smite-enhanced attack.
Example Scenario
Let’s consider an example:
A Paladin attacks a Wizard who is concentrating on Haste. The Paladin hits with their longsword and chooses to expend a 2nd-level spell slot for Divine Smite. The longsword deals 1d8 slashing damage, and the Divine Smite adds 3d8 radiant damage. Let’s assume the Paladin rolls a 5 on the longsword die and an average of 12 (4 on each die) on the Divine Smite dice. The total damage dealt is 5 + 12 = 17 damage.
The Wizard must now make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 10, or half the damage taken (17/2 = 8.5, rounded down to 8), whichever is higher. Therefore, the Wizard must roll a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. If the Wizard’s Constitution modifier is +1, they need to roll a 9 or higher on the die to maintain concentration. If they fail, their Haste spell ends.
FAQs: Divine Smite and Concentration
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the interaction between Divine Smite and concentration:
1. Does Divine Smite impose a condition that automatically breaks concentration?
No. Divine Smite deals radiant damage but doesn’t impose any condition (such as stunned, frightened, or poisoned) that automatically breaks concentration.
2. What happens if a Paladin crits with Divine Smite against a concentrating creature?
A critical hit doubles all damage dice. This includes both the weapon damage and the Divine Smite damage. The significantly increased damage is very likely to force a high DC Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration.
3. Does the target know Divine Smite was used when making the concentration check?
No, the target doesn’t necessarily know that Divine Smite was specifically used. They only know they took damage and must make a concentration saving throw if they are concentrating on a spell or ability.
4. Can a Paladin choose not to use Divine Smite even after hitting an enemy concentrating on a spell?
Yes. The Paladin has the option of deciding whether to expend a spell slot for Divine Smite after they know they have hit. If they want to avoid potentially breaking concentration (perhaps for tactical reasons), they can choose not to use it.
5. Does the type of damage (radiant) from Divine Smite affect concentration differently than other damage types?
No. The type of damage (radiant, slashing, piercing, etc.) doesn’t inherently affect the concentration check. Only the amount of damage matters for determining the DC of the Constitution saving throw.
6. If a Paladin attacks multiple times, do multiple Divine Smites stack concentration checks?
Each separate attack that deals damage while a creature is concentrating on a spell will require a separate Constitution saving throw. If a Paladin hits twice in a turn and uses Divine Smite on both attacks, the target will need to make two concentration checks, each based on the damage of the individual attack.
7. Can another player use a reaction to help a concentrating ally when they fail a concentration check caused by Divine Smite damage?
Yes, certain abilities and spells (like Shield) can be used as a reaction to reduce the damage taken, which in turn lowers the DC of the Constitution saving throw. Furthermore, a character with the Protection fighting style could impose disadvantage on the attack roll, reducing the likelihood of the attack hitting in the first place.
8. Does the War Caster feat affect concentration checks caused by Divine Smite?
Yes. The War Caster feat provides advantage on Constitution saving throws made to maintain concentration on a spell when you take damage. This makes it significantly harder for a Paladin using Divine Smite (or any other source of damage) to break the caster’s concentration. The feat also allows casting spells as an opportunity attack, which could disrupt enemies’ concentration, too!
9. Does the Resilient (Constitution) feat affect concentration checks caused by Divine Smite?
Yes. The Resilient (Constitution) feat grants proficiency in Constitution saving throws and increases your Constitution score by 1. The proficiency bonus is added to the Constitution saving throw, making it more likely to succeed.
10. Can a creature with immunity to radiant damage still be forced to make a concentration check from an attack enhanced by Divine Smite?
Yes, immunity to radiant damage only prevents the radiant damage portion of the attack. If the weapon damage is sufficient to trigger a concentration check, the creature still needs to make the save.
11. What happens if the concentrating creature is resistant to the weapon’s damage type but not radiant damage?
Resistance to damage halves the damage taken after all damage calculations are done. This halved damage amount is then used to determine the DC of the Constitution saving throw. So, even with resistance, a high enough Divine Smite boosted attack can still force a challenging concentration check.
12. Can the Paladin declare they’re using Divine Smite before rolling the attack roll?
No, the Paladin decides whether to use Divine Smite after they know the attack hits. This is a crucial aspect of the feature, allowing the Paladin to make informed decisions about resource expenditure.
13. Is there any way for a Paladin to guarantee a broken concentration with Divine Smite?
No, there’s no guarantee. Even with high damage output, the target could still succeed on the Constitution saving throw, especially if they have proficiency or advantage on such saves. However, maximizing damage and targeting creatures with low Constitution scores or without concentration-related feats will increase the likelihood of success.
14. Does Divine Smite affect non-spell concentration, like a Barbarian’s Rage?
Yes. The rules for concentration apply regardless of whether the concentration is on a spell or another ability (like Rage). If a Barbarian takes damage while raging, they must make a Constitution saving throw to maintain their rage. Divine Smite can contribute to that damage, forcing a check.
15. How does the DM determine if an NPC is concentrating on a spell or ability?
This is at the DM’s discretion. Generally, if an NPC is maintaining a persistent effect or is described as focusing their attention, they are likely concentrating. DMs can also choose to keep certain information secret, revealing that an NPC was concentrating only when they are forced to make a concentration check. The spell description should state whether the spell requires concentration.
By understanding these nuances of Divine Smite and concentration, both players and DMs can make informed decisions and navigate combat situations with greater clarity. Remember, while Divine Smite doesn’t directly interrupt concentration, its damage potential makes it a powerful tool for disrupting spellcasters and other creatures relying on focused abilities.