Wrathful Smite

A
Damage

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

See all Damage spells →
 spell that cloaks your strike in necrotic wrath, wounding a foe and leaving it trembling in fear.

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

Wrathful Smite no longer requires Concentration. The bonus damage is now necrotic instead of psychic, and the frightened effect now uses the Frightened condition with an automatic save at the end of each of the target’s turns instead of a separate action to break it. It now also scales with higher-level slots.

Wrathful Smite popularity

How popular is Wrathful Smite? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.

Spells similar to Wrathful Smite