Variant Divine Smite (5e Alternate Class Feature)
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Variant Divine Smite
This is an alternate feature for the Paladin class. Characters who select this alternate benefit lose access to Divine Smite. :None
Variant Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, you gain the abilities to assault your foes with sacred or profane might. Choose one damage type: Force, Necrotic, Psychic, or Radiant. Once chosen, this selection may not be changed, with one exception: When you gain the Martial Versatility optional class feature introduced in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, instead of changing your Fighting Style, you may change the damage type dealt by your Variant Divine Smite.
With this ability, when you hit a creature with an unarmed strike or weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal additional damage of the chosen type to the target, in addition to the weapon's damage. The amount of additional damage is based on the range of the attack.
For a melee weapon attack or unarmed strike, the extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d8.
For a ranged weapon attack, the extra damage is 2d4 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d4 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d4. The damage increases by 1d4 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d4.
This class feature replaces Divine Smite, and counts as Divine Smite for all purposes.
Improved Variant Divine Smite
At 11th level, all of your strikes are suffused with your divine might. Your unarmed strikes and melee weapon attacks deal 1d8 additional points of damage, and your ranged weapon attacks deal 1d4 additional points of damage. The damage type of this bonus damage is that same as the same type chosen when you gained your Variant Divine Smite.
This class feature replaces Improved Divine Smite, and counts as Improved Divine Smite for all purposes.
Back to Main Page → 5e → Character Options → Alternate Class Features
| Author | Zhenra-Khal + |
| Class | Paladin + |
| Identifier | 5e Alternate Class Feature + |
| Level | 2 + |
| Prerequisites | None + |
| Rating | Undiscussed + |
| Summary | Ever wish your Divine Smite wasn't Radiant damage? Or that you could use it on ranged attacks, without it being busted? Here you go. + |
| Title | Variant Divine Smite + |
