Wrathful Smite
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 1st-level necromancy
- 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
- 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
The target takes an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage from the attack, and it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Frightened condition until the spell ends. At the end of each of its turns, the Frightened target repeats the save, ending the spell on itself on a success.
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, 1 minute
- Classes
- Paladin
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
The next time you hit with a melee weapon attack during this spell's duration, your attack deals an extra 1d6 psychic damage. Additionally, if the target is a creature, it must make a Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of you until the spell ends. As an action, the creature can make a Wisdom check against your spell save DC to steel its resolve and end this spell.
Wrathful Smite 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
How popular is Wrathful Smite in 5e?
Wrathful Smite is the #64 most popular level 1 spell (of 82) and the #7 most picked level 1 Paladin spell (of 18).
Among level 1 spells, Wrathful Smite ranks just below Compelled Duel and just above Arms of Hadar in popularity.
- #173 (of 580) most popular 5e spell
- #64 (of 82) most popular level 1 spell
- #7 (of 18) most picked level 1 Paladin spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated and see Wrathful Smite visualized with all 5e spells.
Spells similar to Wrathful Smite
Searing Smite 1st-level evocation
Like Wrathful Smite, it is a paladin bonus-action buff that adds damage to a weapon attack and lasts for up to a minute.
Players prefer Searing Smite over Wrathful Smite
Divine Favor 1st-level transmutation
This shares the self-targeted, minute-long paladin weapon-enhancement role, though it lacks the Wisdom save and fear effect.
Players prefer Divine Favor over Wrathful Smite
Thunderous Smite 1st-level evocation
Both are first-level paladin smites cast on yourself to enhance an upcoming attack with extra damage and a secondary combat effect.
Players prefer Thunderous Smite over Wrathful Smite
Shining Smite 2nd-level transmutation
It follows the same smite pattern of empowering attacks for a minute while dealing an additional damage type.
Players prefer Wrathful Smite over Shining Smite
Staggering Smite 4th-level enchantment
Although higher level and instantaneous, it is still a paladin smite that adds damage to a successful attack and disrupts the target.
Players prefer Wrathful Smite over Staggering Smite
Blinding Smite 3rd-level evocation
The spell is another paladin attack rider that combines extra damage with a debilitating condition lasting up to a minute.
Players prefer Wrathful Smite over Blinding Smite