Can you divine smite after hitting?

Can You Divine Smite After Hitting?

When it comes to playing a Paladin, one of the most crucial questions is whether you can divine smite after hitting. The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on various factors. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the rules surrounding divine smite and explore the possibilities of using it after hitting.

Starting at 2nd Level

According to the rules, starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. This is a key point to note, as it implies that you can indeed use divine smite after hitting, but only under specific circumstances.

Can You Divine Smite on Every Attack?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether you can divine smite on every attack. The answer is yes, but there are some caveats. You can use any spell slot to divine smite, regardless of where it comes from. This means that you can use a 1st-level spell slot to deal 1d8 + 2 force damage, or a 5th-level spell slot to deal 1d8 + 3d8 force damage. However, the damage type remains the same, and you can’t change it mid-attack.

What About Critical Hits?

When it comes to critical hits, the rules become a bit more complicated. If you hit a creature with a critical hit, the force damage dealt by divine smite increases. For example, if you use a 5th-level spell slot to divine smite, the force damage becomes 6d8, and if the attack was a critical hit, these dice are doubled, resulting in 12d8 force damage.

Does Divine Smite Interrupt Concentration?

Another common question is whether divine smite interrupts concentration. The answer is no, divine smite doesn’t break concentration. However, if you’re concentrating on a spell and you decide to use divine smite, the concentration spell is interrupted.

How Does Divine Smite Interact with Shield?

When it comes to shield, divine smite works slightly differently. If you’re using a shield and you divine smite, the shield’s damage reduction is applied before the force damage is dealt. This means that if you have a shield that reduces bludgeoning damage by 10, and you divine smite, the force damage is reduced by 10 before it’s dealt.

Does Eldritch Smite Double on a Crit?

For those playing a Warlock, Eldritch Smite is an important feature. According to the rules, if you expend a 5th-level warlock spell slot using Eldritch Smite, the force damage is 1d8 + 1d8 per spell level, or 6d8 total. And if the triggering attack was a critical hit, then these dice are doubled for 12d8 damage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, divine smite can be used after hitting, but only under specific circumstances. You can use any spell slot to divine smite, and the damage type remains the same. Critical hits increase the force damage dealt by divine smite, and shield affects the force damage dealt in a specific way. Eldritch Smite also doubles on a crit. Remember to keep track of your spell slots and concentrations when using divine smite to avoid any unintended consequences.

Important Points

• Divine smite can be used after hitting, but only under specific circumstances.
• You can use any spell slot to divine smite.
• The damage type remains the same when using divine smite.
• Critical hits increase the force damage dealt by divine smite.
• Shield affects the force damage dealt by divine smite in a specific way.
• Eldritch Smite doubles on a crit.

Tables and Diagrams

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice.