Searing Smite
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action, which you take immediately after hitting a target with a Melee weapon or an Unarmed Strike
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
As you hit the target, it takes an extra 1d6 Fire damage from the attack. At the start of each of its turns until the spell ends, the target takes 1d6 Fire damage and then makes a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the spell continues. On a successful save, the spell ends.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. All the damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 1.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin, Ranger
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
The next time you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack during the spell's duration, your weapon flares with white-hot intensity, and the attack deals an extra 1d6 fire damage to the target and causes the target to ignite in flames. At the start of each of its turns until the spell ends, the target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 1d6 fire damage. On a successful save, the spell ends. If the target or a creature within 5 feet of it uses an action to put out the flames, or if some other effect douses the flames (such as the target being submerged in water), the spell ends.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the initial extra damage dealt by the attack increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.
Searing Smite 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Searing Smite popularity
How popular is Searing Smite? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is a widely sought-after option.
- #2 picked level 1 Paladin spell
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% of all level 1 spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Searing Smite
Shining Smite 2nd-level transmutation
It is a paladin self-range smite that adds damage to attacks and persists for up to a minute.
Players prefer Shining Smite over Searing Smite
Divine Smite 1st-level evocation
Both spells are paladin attack enhancers that deal bonus elemental damage when a weapon attack hits.
Players prefer Divine Smite over Searing Smite
Blinding Smite 3rd-level evocation
Like Searing Smite, it empowers a successful attack with extra damage and can impose an additional saving-throw-based effect.
Players prefer Blinding Smite over Searing Smite
Thunderous Smite 1st-level evocation
It is another first-level paladin smite that converts a weapon hit into a stronger attack with an added combat rider.
Players prefer Searing Smite over Thunderous Smite
Divine Favor 1st-level transmutation
This paladin spell also uses a bonus action to provide sustained extra damage on weapon attacks for one minute.
Players prefer Searing Smite over Divine Favor
Wrathful Smite 1st-level necromancy
Both are first-level paladin smites cast on the self to enhance a weapon hit with extra damage and a lingering effect.
Players prefer Searing Smite over Wrathful Smite