When Can I Use Divine Smite? A Paladin’s Guide
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The Paladin’s Divine Smite is arguably one of the class’s defining features: a burst of radiant (or necrotic) damage that can turn the tide of battle. Simply put, you can use Divine Smite whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. This means after the attack roll succeeds, but before damage is rolled. It expends a spell slot to deal extra damage of the radiant type, or necrotic damage if you are an Oathbreaker Paladin, in addition to the weapon’s normal damage. The amount of damage depends on the spell slot level used, and it can be increased even further against undead and fiends.
Understanding Divine Smite’s Mechanics
Divine Smite isn’t a spell itself, but a class feature that consumes spell slots. This is a crucial distinction. Because it’s not a spell, it isn’t subject to things that affect spells like counterspell or antimagic fields (unless specifically stated).
The core mechanics are straightforward, but understanding the nuances will optimize your Paladin’s effectiveness:
- Melee Weapon Attack: Divine Smite requires a melee weapon attack. Ranged weapon attacks, spells, or other forms of damage will not trigger it.
- On a Hit: The Smite is applied after you successfully hit. If you miss, you don’t expend the spell slot. This makes it more efficient than spells that require a saving throw, as you know it will land before you commit.
- Before Damage: The crucial timing is after the hit, but before you roll the weapon’s damage dice. This allows you to assess the situation. Are you facing a powerful foe? Do you need that extra burst to secure the kill? You make the decision right then and there.
- Spell Slot Expenditure: You must expend a spell slot to activate Divine Smite. The level of the spell slot determines the amount of extra radiant damage dealt.
- Damage Type: By default, Divine Smite deals radiant damage. Oathbreaker Paladins deal necrotic damage instead. This is important to consider based on enemy vulnerabilities and resistances.
- Undead and Fiends: Against undead or fiends, the damage increases by 1d8. This makes Paladins exceptionally effective against these creature types.
- Once Per Attack: You can only use one Divine Smite per attack. You can’t stack multiple spell slots for a single, devastating blow.
- Not Concentration: Divine Smite doesn’t require concentration, freeing you up to maintain other important spells.
- Visible Effects: The effect of Divine Smite is often described as a flash of divine energy or a burst of light. Consider describing the visual effects to enhance roleplaying.
Optimizing Your Divine Smite Usage
Maximizing the effectiveness of Divine Smite requires strategic thinking. Here are some factors to consider:
- Assess the Threat: Don’t waste high-level spell slots on weak enemies. Save them for challenging encounters, bosses, or when you need to secure a critical hit.
- Critical Hits: A critical hit doubles all damage dice, including those from Divine Smite. This is when you want to unleash your most powerful smite.
- Enemy Vulnerabilities and Resistances: Consider the enemy’s vulnerabilities and resistances before Smiting. Radiant damage is highly effective against undead, but some creatures might resist or be immune to it.
- Action Economy: Remember that using Divine Smite consumes a spell slot, potentially limiting your ability to cast other spells. Consider the action economy and whether a well-placed spell might be more beneficial.
- Party Composition: Communicate with your party. Knowing when they’re about to unleash a powerful attack can help you coordinate your Smite for maximum impact.
- Resource Management: Paladins are dependent on spell slots. Don’t burn through them all in the first few encounters. Pace yourself throughout the adventuring day.
- Alternative Uses of Spell Slots: Consider other uses for your spell slots, such as bless or shield of faith, before opting for Divine Smite. Sometimes, a buff or defensive spell can be more impactful.
- Oath and RP: The way you smite can reflect your oath. A Vengeance Paladin might smite with righteous fury, while a Devotion Paladin might smite with a sense of solemn duty. Infuse your RP into the use of the Smite.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some commonly asked questions to further clarify the mechanics and usage of Divine Smite:
1. Can I use Divine Smite on an opportunity attack?
Yes! Since an opportunity attack is a melee weapon attack, you can use Divine Smite with it. This can be a great way to punish enemies who try to flee.
2. Does Divine Smite work with ranged weapon attacks?
No. Divine Smite explicitly requires a melee weapon attack. Ranged attacks, even with a Paladin’s divine weapon, don’t qualify.
3. Can I use Divine Smite with unarmed strikes?
While generally no, Divine Smite will work with unarmed strikes if you have a feature that treats them as melee weapon attacks, such as the Fighting Initiate feat.
4. If I miss my attack, do I lose the spell slot I used for Divine Smite?
No. You only expend the spell slot if the attack hits. If you miss, the spell slot is retained.
5. Can I use Divine Smite on a creature that’s immune to radiant damage?
Yes, you can. However, the radiant damage from the Divine Smite will be negated. You’ll still deal the weapon’s normal damage. An Oathbreaker Paladin, dealing necrotic damage, would avoid this issue against creatures immune to radiant damage.
6. How much extra damage does Divine Smite do?
Divine Smite deals 2d8 radiant damage for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. Against undead or fiends, the damage increases by 1d8 (e.g., 3d8 for a 1st-level slot).
7. Can I use Divine Smite on a bonus action attack?
Yes, if the bonus action attack is a melee weapon attack. For instance, if you are using the Polearm Master feat and attacking with the butt of your polearm.
8. Does Divine Smite affect my alignment?
No, using Divine Smite does not inherently change your alignment. However, how you use it and why might influence your alignment over time, depending on your oath.
9. Can I use Divine Smite with a spell that requires a melee weapon attack, like booming blade or green-flame blade?
Yes! Divine Smite works perfectly with these spells. The spell provides the melee weapon attack, and you add the extra damage from Divine Smite on a hit. This can be a potent combination.
10. Can I use Divine Smite if I’m silenced?
Yes. Divine Smite is not a spell, therefore it is unaffected by being silenced.
11. Can I use Divine Smite on multiple attacks if I have Extra Attack?
Yes. You can use Divine Smite once per attack. If you have Extra Attack, you could potentially use Divine Smite on both attacks in a single turn, expending two spell slots.
12. If I multiclass out of Paladin, can I still use Divine Smite?
As long as you have spell slots, you can use Divine Smite regardless of your class levels, as long as the attack meets the requirements (melee weapon attack). This can be beneficial for multiclass builds.
13. Can I use Divine Smite while raging as a Paladin/Barbarian?
Yes, provided you are making a melee weapon attack. Your rage won’t prevent you from using Divine Smite since it is not a spell.
14. How does Divine Smite interact with smite spells like wrathful smite or branding smite?
You can use Divine Smite in addition to a smite spell. You would apply the effects of the smite spell as normal and then choose to add Divine Smite’s damage on a hit. This expends both the smite spell and the spell slot for Divine Smite.
15. Can I use Divine Smite on a summoned or conjured creature?
If you make a melee weapon attack against a summoned or conjured creature, yes, you can use Divine Smite. However, consider the implications of your oath. Smitting a creature summoned to help might be contrary to certain oaths.