Shining Smite
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action, which you take immediately after hitting a creature with a melee weapon or an unarmed strike
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin
The target hit by the strike takes an extra 2d6 Radiant damage from the attack. Until the spell ends, the target sheds Bright Light in a 5-foot radius, attack rolls against it have Advantage, and it can't benefit from the Invisible condition.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The damage increases by 1d6 for each spell slot level above 2.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 2nd-level evocation
- Casting Time
- Bonus action
- Range
- Self
- Components
- V
- Duration
- Concentration, 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin
The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends, the weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike. The attack deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage to the target, which becomes visible if it's invisible, and the target sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius and can't become invisible until the spell ends.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.
Shining Smite 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Shining Smite popularity
How popular is Shining Smite? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 50% picked level 2 Paladin spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 10% of all level 2 spells
Spells similar to Shining Smite
Banishing Smite 5th-level conjuration
This is another concentration-enabled paladin smite that upgrades one attack with extra effect and control, similar in design and purpose to the target spell.
Players prefer Banishing Smite over Shining Smite
Staggering Smite 4th-level enchantment
It boosts a single melee attack with added damage and a debilitating follow-up, making it comparable in timing and intent to Shining Smite.
Players prefer Staggering Smite over Shining Smite
Searing Smite 1st-level evocation
A paladin bonus-action smite that adds extra elemental damage to your next hit and lasts for a short duration, matching the same play pattern.
Players prefer Shining Smite over Searing Smite
Thunderous Smite 1st-level evocation
A classic paladin smite that you activate before an attack to add damage and a crowd-shaping secondary effect, so players choose it for similar reasons.
Players prefer Shining Smite over Thunderous Smite
Blinding Smite 3rd-level evocation
Also a paladin smite that empowers a single strike with extra radiant damage and a harmful secondary effect on the target, so it fills the same tactical niche.
Players prefer Shining Smite over Blinding Smite