Divine Smite in Baldur’s Gate 3: A Comprehensive Guide
Divine Smite is a powerful and versatile ability available to Paladin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, allowing them to deal significant radiant damage in addition to their weapon attacks. Essentially, after successfully hitting a target with a melee weapon attack, a Paladin can choose to expend a spell slot to imbue their strike with holy power. This adds extra damage dice to the attack, making Divine Smite a crucial part of any Paladin’s combat strategy. The mechanic hinges on successful melee weapon strikes, and the amount of damage is tied to the level of the spell slot used. It is an on-hit ability, meaning you don’t commit to it until after you’ve already confirmed your attack. It offers a great source of burst damage and combines extremely well with the other melee-oriented abilities of the class.
The Core Mechanics of Divine Smite
When a Paladin hits a creature with a melee weapon, they have the option to activate Divine Smite. The base damage added is 2d8 radiant damage for a 1st-level spell slot. For each spell level higher than 1st, the damage increases by an additional 1d8, up to a maximum of 5d8 for a 4th-level spell slot or higher. Furthermore, if the target is an undead or a fiend, the damage dice are increased by 1, so a 1st-level slot will deal 3d8, and a 4th-level or higher will deal 6d8.
The versatility of Divine Smite lies in the fact that it is not tied to a specific type of spell slot. Paladins can expend any spell slot, including those acquired from other classes or sources, making it a potent tool even in multiclass builds. There is no action cost associated with using Divine Smite; it is an on-hit effect. It can also be used multiple times per turn, provided the Paladin hits with multiple melee weapon attacks. The ability can drastically change the tide of battle, making Paladins formidable front-line damage dealers.
Divine Smite and Critical Hits
Divine Smite synergizes very well with critical hits. On a critical hit, all the damage dice associated with the attack are doubled. This includes the dice from Divine Smite. This means that a Divine Smite using a 1st-level spell slot would deal 4d8 on a normal hit, but would become 8d8 on a critical hit. This interaction makes critical hits incredibly valuable for Paladins looking to maximize their damage output.
Improved Divine Smite
At higher levels, Paladins gain the Improved Divine Smite feature, adding 1d8 radiant damage to each melee weapon attack. Crucially, this bonus damage stacks with regular Divine Smite. They are not mutually exclusive. You can use both Improved Divine Smite and regular Divine Smite on the same attack, expending a spell slot for the latter, and getting the static 1d8 from the former.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Divine Smite in Baldur’s Gate 3, providing even more details about this powerful Paladin ability:
1. Does Charisma affect Divine Smite damage?
No, Charisma does not affect Divine Smite damage. The damage scales only with the level of the spell slot expended. Charisma is crucial for the Paladin’s spellcasting and spell save DC, as well as their Aura of Protection, but it does not enhance the raw damage output of Divine Smite.
2. Can Divine Smite be used with ranged attacks?
No, Divine Smite can only be used with melee weapon attacks. This means that bows, crossbows, and thrown weapons do not trigger Divine Smite. While a thrown javelin is considered a melee weapon, it must be thrown as a melee attack, and not a ranged attack to benefit.
3. Does Divine Smite work with natural weapons?
Yes, Divine Smite works with natural weapons. Natural weapons like claws, horns, and similar attacks are treated as melee weapons and unarmed strikes in the game, making them eligible for Divine Smite.
4. Is Divine Smite a spell?
No, Divine Smite is not considered a spell. Although it utilizes spell slots, it does not trigger abilities or effects that are specific to spells, such as being unable to be used while raging.
5. Does Divine Smite require an action or bonus action?
No, Divine Smite does not require an action or bonus action. It is an on-hit effect that is used when you choose, after hitting with a melee weapon attack, as a free extra effect within the attack.
6. Are there any limits to the number of times I can use Divine Smite per turn?
There is no limit to the number of times you can use Divine Smite per turn, besides the availability of spell slots. As long as the Paladin has spell slots available and makes a successful melee weapon attack, they can use Divine Smite on each hit.
7. Does Divine Smite break concentration?
No, Divine Smite does not break concentration. The Paladin can use Divine Smite without any concern for breaking concentration on other spells. However, the various Smite spells are concentration spells, and would interfere with other concentration effects.
8. Can Divine Smite be used on unarmed strikes?
While unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, they do not activate Divine Smite. They are, however, eligible for other mechanics that work on melee weapon attacks, but Divine Smite requires the use of a weapon.
9. Does Great Weapon Fighting affect Divine Smite damage?
No, Great Weapon Fighting does not affect the damage from Divine Smite. This feature only allows you to reroll the weapon dice, not additional dice like the ones from Divine Smite.
10. Is Divine Smite doubled on a critical hit?
Yes, the damage dice of Divine Smite are doubled on a critical hit, making it a very powerful tool for maximizing damage potential, and a great reason to take feats and abilities that increase your critical hit chance.
11. Can you use multiple types of smite in one turn?
Yes, you can use multiple types of Smite in a single turn. You can for example use Divine Smite on one attack, and a Smite spell on another.
12. Does Divine Smite stack with Improved Divine Smite?
Yes, Divine Smite stacks with Improved Divine Smite. This means that at higher levels, your melee weapon attacks will have a base 1d8 radiant damage added with Improved Divine Smite, and you can spend spell slots on top of that with Divine Smite.
13. What is the maximum damage Divine Smite can do?
The maximum damage for Divine Smite is 5d8 radiant damage for a 4th-level spell slot or higher, or 6d8 if the target is an undead or fiend. These values are doubled on a critical hit. When combined with the static damage from Improved Divine Smite, and a high roll, it is possible to deal massive amounts of damage with one swing.
14. What are the best smite spells in Baldur’s Gate 3?
While Divine Smite is the most frequently used and versatile smite option, the best Smite spells depend on the situation. Blinding Smite is often considered powerful for its ability to inflict the Blind status. Searing Smite offers initial burst damage and damage-over-time through a burn. Thunderous Smite is another viable pick, offering a knock-back effect. These can be used alongside Divine Smite for a deadly combination.
15. Can a Barbarian use Divine Smite while Raging?
Yes, a Barbarian multiclassed into Paladin can use Divine Smite while raging. Rage does not restrict the use of Divine Smite because Divine Smite is not considered a spell, but it does consume spell slots.
By understanding these aspects of Divine Smite, players can effectively leverage this ability, making their Paladin a powerhouse on the battlefield. With its flexibility, damage potential, and synergy with other Paladin abilities, Divine Smite is a cornerstone of the class’s combat identity and success in Baldur’s Gate 3.