Is Divine Smite Doubled on a Crit? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of whether Divine Smite damage is doubled on a critical hit is a common one among Paladin players in D&D 5e, and for good reason. The answer is a resounding yes. When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack and choose to use your Divine Smite feature, the damage dice of your Divine Smite are indeed doubled. This can lead to devastating amounts of radiant damage, turning an already potent attack into a truly fearsome blow.
How Critical Hits Interact with Divine Smite
Let’s break down the mechanics to fully understand why this is the case. The core rule for critical hits in D&D 5e states that when you score a critical hit, you roll all of the damage dice twice and add them together. This doubling of the damage dice applies to virtually all sources of damage that are tied to the attack. Importantly, Divine Smite damage is part of the attack’s damage, therefore, it is subject to the effects of a critical hit.
It’s crucial to note that it’s the number of dice rolled that are doubled, not the value rolled after the die roll. So, if you use a 1st-level spell slot for Divine Smite, which normally deals 2d8 radiant damage, a critical hit would double that to 4d8. If you use a higher spell slot, the additional d8’s also double. For a maxed Divine Smite from a 5th level spell slot dealing 5d8 radiant damage normally, you’d do 10d8 on a critical hit! This potential for massive damage output is a core aspect of playing a Paladin.
Maximizing Your Divine Smite Damage on Crits
Knowing that critical hits double Divine Smite damage is one thing. Effectively leveraging that knowledge during your gameplay is quite another. Consider the following strategies:
Prioritize Advantage
Whenever possible, try to gain advantage on your attack rolls. Having advantage effectively doubles your chance of rolling a critical hit, so while not a guarantee, it is a great tactic to increase those high damage critical strikes. Ways to obtain advantage vary based on your situation, but common methods include flanking, the Help action from an ally, and specific spells or class features.
Consider Crit-Fishing Builds
Some character builds excel at maximizing critical hit chances. Options include those that get advantage more reliably, or those that expand the critical threat range from just a natural 20 to a 19 or 20 on a d20 roll. A fighter with the champion subclass or a Hexblade Warlock build, for example, could pair particularly well with a Paladin, giving more opportunities for doubled Divine Smite dice.
Choose your Targets Carefully
Against undead and fiends, Divine Smite deals an extra 1d8 damage. This extra damage, in addition to the base damage, is also doubled on a critical hit, bringing the amount of radiant damage up to potential heights. So a 5th level smite will do 12d8 against a fiend or undead on a critical hit. This makes Paladins especially effective against such creatures. Therefore, when engaging these types of monsters, making use of Divine Smite becomes even more potent.
Use Higher-Level Spell Slots
Naturally, using higher-level spell slots for Divine Smite increases your maximum damage potential. While it’s not always ideal to use your highest spell slots, the difference is substantial when doubled on a critical hit, making those key moments to use the highest slots that much more impactful. Weigh up the situation carefully for the best opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how Divine Smite interacts with critical hits and other game mechanics:
1. What Damage is Doubled on a Crit?
Any damage dice directly associated with the attack roll are doubled on a critical hit. This includes weapon damage, and damage from features like Divine Smite, as well as spells that add dice on hit. However, flat damage bonuses are not doubled, such as from ability modifiers. Also, any additional damage that isn’t related to the hit is not doubled.
2. How Does Divine Smite Scale?
Divine Smite damage scales with the level of the spell slot you expend to trigger the feature. It starts at 2d8 radiant damage for a 1st-level spell slot, and then increases by 1d8 for each spell level above 1st, up to a maximum of 5d8.
3. Does Charisma Affect Divine Smite Damage?
No, Charisma does not affect Divine Smite damage. Charisma is important for the Paladin’s spellcasting ability, influencing spell DCs and other factors. However, it has no direct bearing on how much damage Divine Smite inflicts.
4. Can I Use Divine Smite Multiple Times Per Turn?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of times you can use Divine Smite in a turn, provided that you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack and have the spell slots to do so. The caveat is that Divine Smite can only be used once per attack.
5. Can I Choose to Use Divine Smite After a Crit?
Yes, you declare whether to use Divine Smite after hitting, and that includes if it is a critical hit or not. This flexibility allows you to strategically decide whether to expend a spell slot based on the situation.
6. How Many Divine Smites Can I Use Per Day?
There is no limit to the number of Divine Smites you can use per day other than the number of spell slots you have. If you have spell slots, then you can use Divine Smite.
7. How Much Damage Does a 5th-Level Divine Smite Do?
A 5th-level Divine Smite deals 5d8 radiant damage, or 6d8 if the target is an undead or fiend. When doubled on a crit, this becomes 10d8 radiant damage, or 12d8 against an undead or fiend.
8. Is Divine Smite Magical?
Yes, Divine Smite is considered a magical effect because it is powered by spell slots. This means it’s subject to things like anti-magic fields.
9. Can I Combine Green-Flame Blade with Divine Smite?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite with Green-Flame Blade. You would deal the spell’s damage, and then you would apply the added damage of Divine Smite with the associated doubled dice on a crit.
10. Does Divine Smite Stack with Improved Divine Smite?
Yes, Divine Smite stacks with Improved Divine Smite. Improved Divine Smite provides a passive +d8 to every melee weapon attack. You still voluntarily use Divine Smite as an action to add +Xd8 radiant damage. They work independently and can both contribute to a single attack.
11. Can I Combine Divine Smite with Smite Spells?
Yes, you can combine Divine Smite with a Smite Spell. Divine Smite is a reaction you can take when you hit with a melee weapon attack. You can cast a smite spell as an action, then combine it with your divine smite as a reaction on hit.
12. Can I Use Divine Smite With a Javelin?
Yes, you can use Divine Smite with a javelin because it’s considered a melee weapon when it is thrown. It is still a melee weapon so will work with Divine Smite.
13. Does Antimagic Stop Divine Smite?
Yes, Antimagic Field will stop Divine Smite as it is a magical effect. However, Improved Divine Smite, not a spell effect, will still function in that zone.
14. Does Divine Smite Work with Great Weapon Fighting?
No, Great Weapon Fighting does not let you reroll the dice rolled for Divine Smite. It only works for the weapon’s dice.
15. Can I Use Any Spell Slot with Divine Smite?
Yes, you can use any spell slot, regardless of the class it came from. Spell slots all combine into a shared pool for the purpose of casting spells and features like divine smite.
Conclusion
Understanding the interplay between critical hits and Divine Smite is essential for Paladin players looking to maximize their damage output. By focusing on gaining advantage, targeting vulnerable enemies, and making use of their spell slots wisely, they can turn a single attack into a devastating blow, making every critical hit a moment of pure power. This mechanic makes Paladins highly formidable in melee combat.