In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, a powerful spell known as Wrathful Smite exists. This spell is specifically designed for melee weapon attacks and can be cast upon hitting a target. Once cast, the weapon used in the attack becomes imbued with an aura of doom, dealing an additional 1d6 psychic damage.
However, the effects of Wrathful Smite go beyond just the physical damage. The target of the attack must make a Wisdom saving throw or be overcome with a sense of fear, becoming frightened until the spell’s duration ends. This psychological aspect adds another layer of power to this spell, as it not only inflicts physical harm but also manipulates the emotions of the target.
It is important to note that Wrathful Smite, like many other smite spells, requires concentration to maintain. This means that the caster must focus their energy on maintaining the spell, potentially limiting their ability to cast other concentration-based spells simultaneously. Warlocks, in particular, may find themselves faced with difficult choices as they have a limited number of spell slots, often needing to prioritize which spells to use and maintain.
Speaking of Warlocks, the Hexblade subclass offers an expanded spell list that includes Wrathful Smite, along with other smite spells such as Branding Smite, Staggering Smite, and Banishing Smite. This gives Hexblade Warlocks a variety of smite options to choose from, each with its own unique effects and benefits.
The decision to use Wrathful Smite, or any smite spell for that matter, requires careful consideration. While the additional psychic damage and the potential for fear can be powerful tools in combat, they must be weighed against other concentration-based spells that may offer different advantages. Spells like Hex, Darkness, Shadow of Moil, and Hold Person/Monster are all viable options for Warlocks, each with their own strategic uses.
In addition to the concentration requirement, it’s worth noting that most smite spells, including Wrathful Smite, have an ongoing effect that lasts the duration of the spell. This means that the fear effect or other additional effects will persist as long as the spell is active. This can be advantageous in certain situations, as it can impede the target’s ability to fight effectively or even incapacitate them altogether.
On the other hand, two of the smite spells, Blinding Smite and Searing Smite, do not have ongoing effects. While they still provide the additional damage upon hitting a target, they lack the fear or other ongoing effects found in spells like Wrathful Smite. This makes them more straightforward in their application, focusing solely on dealing damage rather than manipulating emotions or impairing the target’s abilities.
Wrathful Smite is a potent spell that combines physical and psychological damage. Its ability to deal additional psychic damage and instill fear in the target can be a valuable asset in combat. However, the concentration requirement and the need to prioritize spells may make it a difficult choice for Warlocks, who have a limited number of spell slots. Ultimately, the decision to use Wrathful Smite or any smite spell depends on the specific circumstances and the individual player’s strategy.
What Does Wrathful Smite Do 5e?
Wrathful Smite is a spell in the 5th edition of Dungeons and Dragons that can be cast when you successfully hit with a melee weapon attack on your turn. When you cast this spell, your weapon triggers a sense of impending doom in your target, causing the attack to deal an additional 1d6 psychic damage.
In addition to the extra damage, the target creature must make a Wisdom saving throw. If it fails the saving throw, it becomes frightened until the spell ends. This means that the creature is filled with fear and has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while the source of its fear is within sight.
Please note that the duration of the spell and any additional effects may vary depending on the specific details provided in the source material or by the Dungeon Master.
How Does Wrathful Smite Work?
Wrathful Smite is a spell that enhances your next melee weapon attack. When you successfully hit a target with this spell active, your attack deals an additional 1d6 psychic damage. This means that the damage from your attack is increased by 1d6 on top of the normal weapon damage.
Furthermore, if the target of your attack is a creature, it must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the target fails this saving throw, it becomes frightened of you until the spell ends. This means that the frightened creature has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls while you are within its line of sight, and it cannot willingly move closer to you.
When you use Wrathful Smite, your melee weapon attack deals extra psychic damage, and if the target is a creature, it may become frightened of you depending on its Wisdom saving throw.
Is Wrathful Smite A Warlock Spell?
Wrathful Smite is a spell that appears on the expanded spell list for Hexblade Warlocks in the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition rulebook. This means that Hexblade Warlocks have the option to choose Wrathful Smite as one of their spells when they level up or gain a new spell slot.
Wrathful Smite is a spell that allows the Hexblade Warlock to imbue their weapon with a powerful smite that deals additional damage and forces the target to make a Wisdom saving throw. If the target fails the saving throw, it becomes frightened until the spell ends, and the Warlock can use their bonus action on subsequent turns to extend the frightened condition.
However, it is important to note that Wrathful Smite, like other smite spells available to Hexblade Warlocks (such as Branding Smite, Staggering Smite, and Banishing Smite), requires concentration to maintain. This means that the Warlock needs to concentrate on the smite spell, potentially limiting their ability to concentrate on other spells or effects that also require concentration, such as Hex, Darkness, Shadow of Moil, or Hold Person/Monster.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Hexblade Warlocks have a limited number of spell slots, especially before reaching level 11 when they gain access to their third spell slot. This means that they need to carefully choose which spells to prepare and use in combat, as they have a limited number of opportunities to cast spells per rest.
While Wrathful Smite is a powerful spell option available to Hexblade Warlocks, its concentration requirement and the limited number of spell slots Warlocks have should be taken into consideration when deciding which spells to use in a given situation.
Does Wrathful Smite Only Work Once?
Wrathful Smite, unlike other smite spells, does not have an ongoing effect but rather a one-time effect. Once you cast Wrathful Smite and successfully hit your target with a melee weapon attack, the spell’s effect is triggered. The target must then make a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the spell ends. They can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the frightened condition on a success.
It is important to note that Wrathful Smite only affects the target once and does not have a continuous or ongoing effect like other smite spells. The frightened condition, if successfully applied, lasts until the spell ends or until the target succeeds on their saving throw.
Wrathful Smite provides a powerful one-time effect that can potentially incapacitate your target by making them frightened, but it does not have a lingering or ongoing effect beyond that initial application.
Conclusion
Wrathful Smite is a potent spell that can be cast by Hexblade Warlocks when they hit with a melee weapon attack. This spell infuses their weapon with a sinister power, causing an additional 1d6 psychic damage on a successful hit. Moreover, it possesses the ability to frighten the target unless they pass a Wisdom saving throw.
One notable advantage of Wrathful Smite is that it is included in the expanded spell list of Hexblade Warlocks, granting them access to this spell without the need for additional spell slots. However, it is important to consider the limited number of spell slots available to Warlocks, especially until they reach level 11.
Furthermore, Wrathful Smite requires concentration, meaning that Warlocks must carefully consider their spell choices, as it competes with other valuable concentration spells like Hex, Darkness, Shadow of Moil, and Hold Person/Monster. This aspect adds a strategic element to the decision-making process, as Warlocks must weigh the potential benefits of extra damage and fear against the ongoing effects of other concentration spells.
It is worth noting that Wrathful Smite shares similarities with other “smite” spells in the Hexblade Warlock’s expanded spell list. These smite spells, such as Banishing Smite, Branding Smite, and Staggering Smite, also provide additional effects beyond just extra damage. These ongoing effects can vary from banishing the target to causing blindness or imposing disadvantage on their attacks.
Wrathful Smite is a powerful spell that can enhance a Hexblade Warlock’s melee attacks with additional psychic damage and the potential to frighten their target. While it offers a unique advantage among the smite spells in the expanded spell list, Warlocks must carefully manage their spell slots and consider the competing concentration spells available to them. Wrathful Smite provides an effective tool for Warlocks to inflict damage and control their enemies on the battlefield.
