I agree with much, if not all of what you wrote. I would add that in this edition of DnD (2024), there are even MORE bonus actions available, which imo makes making paladin smite a bonus action even worse! If they had made Divine Smite just a once per turn ability and costing an appropriate level spell slot (think Sneak Attack, but with a spell cost), it would have solved the paladin "nova round" issue, while still giving the paladin a bonus action. As it is now, you have to make a choice between what was a core and signature paladin ability and the entire world of bonus actions! I dislike how the did paladin/divine smite.
I am prety much in agreement as well. The change in casting to you can't use more than one spell slot a turn actually means they wouldn't even need to say devine smite is a once per turn feature.
I am not convinced however that this makes the paladin worse. The 2014 paladin pretty much used all their spell slots on divine smite, as that was clearly the optimal way to go. The other way of looking at divine smite no longer being a core feature, is building a nd playing a character is much more interesting as you can use your spells slots for divine favour or the other smite spells that are much more competive with divine smite (and how you use your bonus action is included in this decision). It is not as if the 2024 paladin is underpowered, it does depend on your assumptions but the paladine does competitive damage with martial builds and even if it is a bit less than a fighter or barbarian, the non damage abilities of a paladin (eg healing and the aura of protection) are greater than those of a fighter or barbarian.
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I am prety much in agreement as well. The change in casting to you can't use more than one spell slot a turn actually means they wouldn't even need to say devine smite is a once per turn feature.
I am not convinced however that this makes the paladin worse. The 2014 paladin pretty much used all their spell slots on divine smite, as that was clearly the optimal way to go. The other way of looking at divine smite no longer being a core feature, is building a nd playing a character is much more interesting as you can use your spells slots for divine favour or the other smite spells that are much more competive with divine smite (and how you use your bonus action is included in this decision). It is not as if the 2024 paladin is underpowered, it does depend on your assumptions but the paladine does competitive damage with martial builds and even if it is a bit less than a fighter or barbarian, the non damage abilities of a paladin (eg healing and the aura of protection) are greater than those of a fighter or barbarian.