Can a Paladin smite with their fists?

Can a Paladin Smite with their Fists?

Paladins are a classic class in Dungeons & Dragons, known for their holy power and martial prowess. One of the most iconic abilities of a Paladin is the ability to smite their enemies with divine power. But what about smiting with their fists? Can a Paladin smite with their fists? Let’s dive into the details and explore the possibilities.

Direct Answer: No

According to the official rules, a Paladin cannot smite with their fists. Divine Smite is a special ability that requires a Paladin to hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, which means it only works with weapons, not with their fists. This is specified in the Player’s Handbook (PHB) under the Paladin class description: "When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can use your bonus action to deal an additional 2d8 radiant damage to the target."

Why is this the case?

There are a few reasons why Paladins cannot smite with their fists. Firstly, the Divine Smite ability is tied to the Paladin’s martial prowess, which is best demonstrated with a weapon. Fists are not a weapon, and using them to smite would go against the spirit of the ability. Secondly, Paladins are meant to be holy warriors, using their martial abilities to smite their enemies, not their bare fists. Lastly, the game mechanics of D&D are designed to encourage players to use creative and strategic thinking, rather than relying solely on brute force.

Can you use a Fists-and-Fury approach?

While Paladins cannot smite with their fists, there are other ways to incorporate fists into your Paladin’s build. One popular approach is to multiclass with a Monk or a Barbarian, who specialize in using their fists in combat. This would allow you to incorporate some fist-based combat abilities into your Paladin’s build. However, keep in mind that this would also limit your access to some of the Paladin’s more unique abilities.

Alternative Approaches

If you want to incorporate some fist-based combat into your Paladin’s build, here are some alternative approaches you could consider:

• Pummeling Fist: As a bonus action, you can use your fist to deal an additional 1d6 bludgeoning damage to a creature you have already hit with a melee weapon attack.
• Fist of Justice: You can use your fist to deal an additional 2d6 bludgeoning damage to a creature you have already hit with a melee weapon attack, but this ability can only be used once per day.
• Fists of the Paladin: You can choose to use your fists in combat, but this will limit your access to some of your Paladin abilities. You can deal an additional 1d6 bludgeoning damage to a creature you have already hit with a melee weapon attack.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Paladins cannot smite with their fists, there are still many ways to incorporate fists into your Paladin’s build. Whether you choose to multiclass with a Monk or Barbarian, or use alternative abilities like Pummeling Fist or Fists of Justice, there are plenty of options available to you. Remember to always keep in mind the game mechanics and the spirit of the game, and don’t be afraid to get creative and try new things!

Table: Paladin Abilities and Fists

Fist-based Abilities:

• Pummeling Fist
• Fist of Justice
• Fists of the Paladin

Multiclassing Options:

• Monk
• Barbarian