Can you cast divine Smite on your fists?

Can You Cast Divine Smite on Your Fists?

Divine Smite is a 5th-level paladin spell that deals radiant damage to undead and fiends. However, many paladins and players in general have wondered if it’s possible to cast Divine Smite on their fists or other non-weapon objects. In this article, we’ll explore the intricacies of Divine Smite and whether or not you can cast it on your fists.

The Divine Smite Spell

To understand the limitations of Divine Smite, let’s take a look at the official 5th edition rulebook:

"You can use an action to deal an extra 1d8 force damage to a creature when you hit it with an attack made with a warhammer, battleaxe, or short sword. For each level of paladin spell slots you have unused, the extra damage increases by 1d8 (maximum of 6d8). The effect of this feature lasts as long as you concentrate." (Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, p. 131)

As you can see, the spell explicitly mentions "attack made with an attack made with a warhammer, battleaxe, or short sword", which raises the question of whether you can use the spell with other types of attacks, such as your fists.

Can Divine Smite be Used on Unarmed Strikes?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Divine Smite is designed specifically for melee weapon attacks and does not apply to unarmed strikes or other forms of attacks. The warhammer, battleaxe, and short sword are crucial components of the spell’s mechanics, and attempting to use it with your fists or other non- weapon objects would be considered rules-breaking.

Can you Use Battle Master Tricks and Divine Smite Together?

Battle Master tricks allow you to add extra functionality to your attacks, and some players have wondered if you can combine them with Divine Smite. However, the official rules don’t allow for this, as Divine Smite has its own specific requirements. Battle Master tricks apply to the attack itself, while Divine Smite needs a warhammer, battleaxe, or short sword to function. These are two separate mechanics, and you cannot combine them as you see fit.

Can Divine Smite be Used on Each Attack?

Divine Smite can only be used when you successfully hit a creature with a melee weapon attack. This means you need to confirm the hit and then apply the spell, rather than using it before the attack roll. If your attack misses, Divine Smite does not automatically trigger, and you can’t use it on that particular attack.

Additional Tips and Tricks

When using Divine Smite, keep in mind the following:

• You must have at least one paladin spell slot unused to use Divine Smite. This means you cannot use it on an already-used spell slot.
• Divine Smite only deals radiant damage. It won’t increase the overall damage output, but it will apply this specific type of damage against undead and fiends.
• Divine Smite has no duration, so it’s an on-the-fly ability that activates when you hit a suitable target.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Divine Smite is a powerful and specific ability that requires the use of a warhammer, battleaxe, or short sword to function. It cannot be used on unarmed strikes or non- weapon objects, even if you have the urge to try something creative.

While Battle Master tricks do offer a lot of possibilities for customizing your attacks, Divine Smite needs to follow its own strict rules to function properly. Remember to always check your rules and mechanics before getting creative, and have fun exploring the possibilities of playing a paladin!