Thunderous Smite

A
Damage

Thunderous Smite is a Damage spell. Damage spells focus on dealing harm to enemies.

See all Damage spells →
 spell that blasts a foe with thunder and
battlefield control

Thunderous Smite is a Battlefield Shaping spell. Battlefield Shaping spells alter terrain, create obstacles, introduce hazards, and affect enemy positioning.

See all Battlefield Shaping spells →
, pushing it back and knocking it prone.

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
Instantaneous
Classes
Paladin

Your strike rings with thunder that is audible within 300 feet of you, and the target takes an extra 2d6 Thunder damage from the attack. Additionally, if the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away from you and have the Prone condition.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. 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, up to 1 minute
Classes
Paladin

The first time you hit with a melee weapon attack during this spell’s duration, your weapon rings with thunder that is audible within 300 feet of you, and the attack deals an extra 2d6 thunder damage to the target. Additionally, if the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away from you and knocked prone.

Thunderous Smite 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

It no longer has Concentration and its duration is now Instantaneous, so it’s a one-and-done smite instead of a 1-minute buff. It also gains scaling: the thunder damage increases by 1d6 per spell slot above 1. Now also has an upcast entry.

Thunderous Smite popularity

Thunderous Smite is a seldom chosen level 1 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Thunderous Smite

  • Searing Smite 1st-level evocation

    Both are paladin bonus-action effects that enhance your next melee strike with extra elemental damage and an ongoing secondary effect.

  • Wrathful Smite 1st-level necromancy

    This spell likewise empowers your next hit as a paladin with extra damage and a fear-related drawback for the target on a saving throw.

  • Divine Smite 1st-level evocation

    Although worded differently, it serves the same purpose of turning a melee attack into a burst of extra radiant damage for paladins.

  • Shining Smite 2nd-level transmutation

    Like Thunderous Smite it augments your next attack as a paladin, adding damage plus an additional tactical effect tied to the strike.

  • Blinding Smite 3rd-level evocation

    This option also buffs a single melee attack to deal extra damage and impose a debilitating condition on a failed save.