Does Smite Make Your Weapon Magical?
Smite does not directly make your weapon magical, but rather, it is a class feature that allows paladins to deal extra damage to their enemies, and the weapon used for the smite is not necessarily magical itself, although the damage from the smite is considered magical. The magic of smite comes from the divine energy channeled through the paladin, not from the weapon being enchanted or having magical properties.
Understanding Smite and Magic
To fully understand the relationship between smite and magic, let’s explore some key concepts and answer common questions about this powerful class feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Divine Smite Count as Magic?
Divine Smite does not count as magic in the sense that it is not a spell, but it does deal magical damage.
2. Can Paladins Smite While Standing in an Antimagic Field?
According to the Sage Advice Compendium, if a feature is fueled by the use of spell slots, then it counts as magical, but Divine Smite is a class feature that requires no action and is used after hitting with an attack.
3. What Makes a Weapon Magical?
A magic weapon can bypass resistances and immunities to damage from nonmagical attacks, and every magic weapon is listed in the Magic Item list from the DMG.
4. Does Smite Count as Weapon Damage?
Divine Smite adds to weapon damage for Concentration saves, and the damage is added to the weapon’s damage on the same attack.
5. Does Smite Count as Casting a Spell?
Divine Smite is not a spell and does not require a bonus action, it is a class feature that requires no action and is used after hitting with an attack.
6. Does Divine Smite Trigger Wild Magic?
The option to Divine Smite with the sorcerer’s many spell slots is also tempting, even though it cannot trigger Wild Magic.
7. Can I Smite and Cast a Spell?
RAW (Rules As Written) yes, you can, although it uses a spell slot, smites are not spells, they are class features fueled by spell slots.
8. Is Smite Damage Doubled?
Any damage die that are part of an attack that hits critically are doubled per RAW.
9. Is Smite Stronger Than Sharpness?
Although Sharpness is not as effective as Smite, as it does less damage, it is still the better enchantment out of the two, as Smite is only useful when dealing with undead mobs.
10. Can You Smite by Throwing a Weapon?
You can’t use Divine Smite with a thrown weapon, as it isn’t a melee attack.
11. Does a +1 Weapon Count as Magical?
A +1 weapon IS a magic weapon in 5e.
12. Does +1 Make a Weapon Magical?
+1 weapons are magic weapons with all that implies, and infused weapons are magical weapons as well.
13. Is a +2 Weapon Magical?
You have a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.
14. Do Paladin Smites Count as Spells?
No, as it is not part of the ‘cast a spell‘ action, bonus action or reaction, Divine Smite is a class ability, not a spell.
15. Does Smite Count as a Spell for Rage?
Because it is not a spell, it is not affected by things like Rage that prevent spellcasting, and Divine Smite can be used normally while raging.