So I have a character that is planning on multi-classing into a Paladin as a Barbarian. At 2nd level, you gain the ability Divine Smite, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal the extra radiant damage on a successful hit. This, however, is a class ability and does not say it is a spell needing to be cast. Would you then be able to use the Divine Smite while raging as a Barbarian?
The Rage feature description states you cannot cast spells or concentrate on them. The Divine Smite feature description states that you expend an unused spell slot. As expending spell slots does not count as casting a spell, I do not see anything preventing you to Divine Smite when raging.
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Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
Not to derail this thread, but a similar (fun) combo that relates to what Barbarians can do while raging is the Moon Druid Barbarian. They can Rage and Wild Shape and expend spell slots to heal while in Wild Shape.
Additionally, the Moon Druid is flexible with the Action Economy regarding Wild Shape as they can enter Wild Shape as a Bonus Action or Standard Action. Meaning on their turn they can still Rage (Bonus Action) + Wild Shape (Action). Or if they are already raging they can Wild Shape (Bonus Action) + Attack (Action).
Keep in mind there are some downsides, though. As the Paladin's Lay on Hands and many Channel Divinity feature require your action, you run the risk of dropping out of rage if you use these features while Raging and no one damages you.
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So I have a character that is planning on multi-classing into a Paladin as a Barbarian. At 2nd level, you gain the ability Divine Smite, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal the extra radiant damage on a successful hit. This, however, is a class ability and does not say it is a spell needing to be cast. Would you then be able to use the Divine Smite while raging as a Barbarian?
The Rage feature description states you cannot cast spells or concentrate on them.
The Divine Smite feature description states that you expend an unused spell slot.
As expending spell slots does not count as casting a spell, I do not see anything preventing you to Divine Smite when raging.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
LeK is correct, you can Divine Smite while Raging.
Thanks guys!
Not to derail this thread, but a similar (fun) combo that relates to what Barbarians can do while raging is the Moon Druid Barbarian. They can Rage and Wild Shape and expend spell slots to heal while in Wild Shape.
Not derailing at all! Yeah no kidding that is a quite perfect combination as well!
Additionally, the Moon Druid is flexible with the Action Economy regarding Wild Shape as they can enter Wild Shape as a Bonus Action or Standard Action. Meaning on their turn they can still Rage (Bonus Action) + Wild Shape (Action). Or if they are already raging they can Wild Shape (Bonus Action) + Attack (Action).
Yeah Nerdarchy made a video about doing an Adventure League Legal Barb/Pal character.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y180dfTvqc&t=1119s
Raging and doing divine smite was thing they said could do.
Keep in mind there are some downsides, though. As the Paladin's Lay on Hands and many Channel Divinity feature require your action, you run the risk of dropping out of rage if you use these features while Raging and no one damages you.