Question, I have a sword bard / hexblade with two attacks. He has a hex sword and whip as second weapon. So on an attack action gets two sword and one whip attack...assuming all hit can he use one or two smites with his sword hits? Smites are via Warlock...wrathful smite for instance or can he not use any because of all the attacks?
PS I read through lots of forum threads on two weapon fighting, dual wielding feat, etc and it only made me more confused.
I'm not entirely sure what your question is, I'll try to be thorough.
Wrathful smite (and all smite spells) takes a bonus action to cast, so you can't cast it and make a two weapon fighting attack in the same turn (as that also uses bonus action). Smite spells also only deal extra damage on the next hit, so 2 or 3 attacks still only trigger the spell once per casting.
Pact of blade warlocks can also get the eldritch smite invocation which doesn't require an action to use, but is specifically once per turn. You can combine it with smite spells, divine smite, sword flourish and any other damage buff though.
The Warlock's smites are all spells with a casting time of a bonus action, require concentration, and do their damage on the next successful melee hit.
So what does all this mean? Firstly, these are not in any way the same as how a Paladin uses their smite abilities. The rules that apply here are about spellcasting.
Firstly, you can only have one Smite activated at a time because you can only concentrate on one spell. Hard limit of one smite per attack.
Next, casting a smite spell uses up your bonus action for the turn. That means you cannot use the bonus attack from two weapon fighting that same turn. That additional attack is not part of the Attack Action at all, but it is a bonus action granted to you by holding two appropriate weapons. You would be limited to casting a smite, then your regular two attacks (which could be two sword, two whip or one of each). If you missed all attacks then your smite could last through til your next turn. Any turn when you don't cast a smite you would be able to take that bonus action additional attack.
The result is that warlock smites do not combo well with dual wielding weapons.
If you use the eldritch invocation eldritch smite you can use that once per turn when you make a melee attack. In addition you could use a bonus action to "prepare" one of the other smite spells such as wrathful and on a subsequent turn trigger that. The most you could get out of a single turn would be two smites, one being eldritch smite the other being wrathful smite (if prepared the round before). They could be used on any combination of your attacks you elect to use as they trigger from an attack.
You might be confusing the idea of Smite spells with the Paladin's Divine Smite. The Paladin can add his or her smite ability to each attack a the cost of a spell slot, however any that come from the source of a spell being cast have the restrictions others have already stated.
They could be used on any combination of your attacks you elect to use as they trigger from an attack.
Not quite any combination. When you cast a smite spell (for example searing smite, the effect happens on your next successful hit. You don't get to choose which attack it affects.
Also note that if you are casting smite spells then you are not using hex or any other concentration spell.
Thanks that clears up some of it...I'm still not sure about about how many weapons attacks I get dual wielding when you have two normal attacks. All the various two weapon fighting skills from the classes like fighter and bard are different then the Feat two weapon fighting. One of you mentioned two sword and two whip attacks and that's how I would imagine two attacks with dual wielding goes....but do I get a bonus action to smite? I'd gladly trade a second whip attack for a Bonus Action blinding smite.
I didn't know and am still not entirely clear if I can use both an eldritch smite and a blinding smite in the same action, assuming I get two hits. I can always do sword and board, save the whip till I'm out of smites and use my Hex blade for the two attacks. The other smites I get from my Bardic 10th level abilities. I would probably get a max of 4 smites from my bardic spell slots and I am aware I couldn't use my Hex curse while smiting...they both take concentration.
And all the Pally smiting I see on Twitch or Youtube looks like the can smite on every hit (2 per turn if they hit) as long as they have spell slots. Even though the pally smites are listed as Bonus Actions as well.
Eldritch smite can be used once per turn, no other restrictions so it can be paired with another type of smite on the same attack.
Having an extra attack (like from the Thirsting Blade) means that with a single Attack action you get two attacks - which can use any combination of weapons you are holding.
Your character can also use one Bonus action if you have an ability that grants a bonus action option. Holding two (light) weapons grants a bonus action option to attack, but you can only use one bonus action per turn. Casting Blinding Smite uses your bonus action for that turn, so you can't make the bonus two-weapon attack that same turn.
And all the Pally smiting I see on Twitch or Youtube looks like the can smite on every hit (2 per turn if they hit) as long as they have spell slots. Even though the pally smites are listed as Bonus Actions as well.
The Paladin's Divine Smite ability does not take a bonus action to use, it's just something you can do automatically on a hit.
Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d8.
There are entirely too many game features with ‘smite’ in the name. Again, someone already mentioned this, but divine smite and the paladin smite spells are different.
The 'smite' spells follow regular spellcasting action economy rules (they are bonus actions to cast, one per turn if you haven’t used your bonus action -- to, for example, make an attack with a weapon in your off hand).
The Divine Smite class feature works how it says (can be used on any hit).
Eldritch smite warlock evocation is once per turn.
After reading through this thread, it still seems like different people are talking about different 'smites,' so I thought a summary was in order. Hopefully that will clear things up a bit.
Thanks that clears up some of it...I'm still not sure about about how many weapons attacks I get dual wielding when you have two normal attacks. All the various two weapon fighting skills from the classes like fighter and bard are different then the Feat two weapon fighting. One of you mentioned two sword and two whip attacks and that's how I would imagine two attacks with dual wielding goes....but do I get a bonus action to smite? I'd gladly trade a second whip attack for a Bonus Action blinding smite.
I didn't know and am still not entirely clear if I can use both an eldritch smite and a blinding smite in the same action, assuming I get two hits. I can always do sword and board, save the whip till I'm out of smites and use my Hex blade for the two attacks. The other smites I get from my Bardic 10th level abilities. I would probably get a max of 4 smites from my bardic spell slots and I am aware I couldn't use my Hex curse while smiting...they both take concentration.
And all the Pally smiting I see on Twitch or Youtube looks like the can smite on every hit (2 per turn if they hit) as long as they have spell slots. Even though the pally smites are listed as Bonus Actions as well.
If you are dual wielding and you have the extra attack feature or the thirsting blade invocation then when you take the Attack action with your main weapon you get to make TWO attacks. If you are also holding a light melee weapon in BOTH hands you are able to make ONE additional bonus action attack with the weapon in your other hand.
"TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand. You don't add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it."
Here are the characteristics for a whip:
Whip 2 gp 1d4 slashing 3 lb. Finesse, reach
A whip is NOT a light melee weapon so you can NOT make a two weapon fighting attack with a whip UNLESS you also have the dual wielder feat.
"DUAL WIELDER You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits: • You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand. • You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one handed melee weapons you are wielding aren't light. • You can draw or stow two one•handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one."
Dual Wielder allows you to make two weapon fighting attacks with weapons that are not light which includes the whip and likely whatever your pact weapon might be.
However, keep in mind that the two weapon fighting attack does NOT add your attack stat to the damage unless you also have the two weapon fighting style - available to fighters and rangers. So, if you have a whip and the dual wielder feat you would get ONE additional attack that uses your bonus action and would do 1d4 damage - the stat is not added unless you also have the fighting style.
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Smites are divided into Divine Smite/Eldritch Smite which are used at will when you hit an opponent. Divine smite can use any spell slot but Eldritch smite MUST use warlock spell slots ONLY and you have to have the Eldritch Smite invocation to use it. Usually I find Eldritch Smite to be a waste of resources until at least level 11 warlock when they get three spell slots/short rest since warlocks usually have much better things to spend their spell slots on.
The other smite spells require casting as a BONUS action. If you use your bonus action to cast a spell you can not use your bonus action to make a off hand (two weapon fighting) attack. If you cast a smite spell, you have to maintain concentration on it (you can't have any other concentration spells running ... which high level bards usually do) and the smite spell will trigger its damage the next time you hit with a melee attack.
When you hit on a melee attack you can always choose to use Eldritch Smite/divine smite as well whether there is additional damage from the spell or not (assuming you have the necessary spell slots available).
Bards do NOT get smite. The only similar ability I can recall is a whispers bard which gets psychic blades which uses their bardic inspiration to deal extra damage on a melee weapon hit but this is limited to once/round (you can't use more than one in a combat round) and can't be used on multiple attacks in the same round the way Eldritch Smite and divine smite can be used.
Which kind of bard are you? Bards at level 10 only get an increase to their bardic inspiration die, magical secrets and expertise in skills - none get an ability to deliver smites unless you have something homebrewed.
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Paladin DIVINE SMITE is NOT the same as ANY of the smite spells.
"DIVINE SMITE Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one paladin spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon's damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend."
This is NOT a spell. It does not require a bonus action. It is a special paladin ability. PHB p85. This is why they can do it multiple times in a single turn.
There are entirely too many game features with ‘smite’ in the name.
You smite be right about that.
Agreed, same as the two weapon fighting vs dual wielding feat are different and too confusing. Halfling's Lucky and the Lucky Feat are also different and poorly named.
If you are dual wielding and you have the extra attack feature or the thirsting blade invocation then when you take the Attack action with your main weapon you get to make TWO attacks. If you are also holding a light melee weapon in BOTH hands you are able to make ONE additional bonus action attack with the weapon in your other hand.
"TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand. You don't add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it."
Here are the characteristics for a whip:
Whip 2 gp 1d4 slashing 3 lb. Finesse, reach
A whip is NOT a light melee weapon so you can NOT make a two weapon fighting attack with a whip UNLESS you also have the dual wielder feat.
"DUAL WIELDER You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits: • You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand. • You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one handed melee weapons you are wielding aren't light. • You can draw or stow two one•handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one."
Dual Wielder allows you to make two weapon fighting attacks with weapons that are not light which includes the whip and likely whatever your pact weapon might be.
However, keep in mind that the two weapon fighting attack does NOT add your attack stat to the damage unless you also have the two weapon fighting style - available to fighters and rangers. So, if you have a whip and the dual wielder feat you would get ONE additional attack that uses your bonus action and would do 1d4 damage - the stat is not added unless you also have the fighting style.
When you hit on a melee attack you can always choose to use Eldritch Smite/divine smite as well whether there is additional damage from the spell or not (assuming you have the necessary spell slots available).
Bards do NOT get smite. The only similar ability I can recall is a whispers bard which gets psychic blades which uses their bardic inspiration to deal extra damage on a melee weapon hit but this is limited to once/round (you can't use more than one in a combat round) and can't be used on multiple attacks in the same round the way Eldritch Smite and divine smite can be used.
Which kind of bard are you? Bards at level 10 only get an increase to their bardic inspiration die, magical secrets and expertise in skills - none get an ability to deliver smites unless you have something homebrewed.
Thanks for your information, I'm using a 12th lvl Sword bard which gives me two attacks at 5th lvl and a variety of smites (not divine) to choose from at 10th level using "Magical Secrets" feature. I'm only a 2nd lvl Hexblade so I get only two 1st lvl Eldritch smites and a 2nd lvl fighter so I get action surge. Just an utterly devastating 1st turn in combat.
You mentioned dual wielder feat, so I can use whip and sword, so do I get only 3 or 4 weapon attacks using the attack action with this feat? And can I still get a BA to use a Blinding Smite with my sword. I won't be concentrating on anything else like hex, I'll wait till I'm out of smite slots. Plus Sword bard gets weapon flourishes a 1d10 to add to each sword attack and they're listed as a (no action) just part of your sword attack.
Thanks for your information, I'm using a 12th lvl Sword bard which gives me two attacks at 5th lvl and a variety of smites (not divine) to choose from at 10th level using "Magical Secrets" feature. I'm only a 2nd lvl Hexblade so I get only two 1st lvl Eldritch smites and a 2nd lvl fighter so I get action surge. Just an utterly devastating 1st turn in combat.
You mentioned dual wielder feat, so I can use whip and sword, so do I get only 3 or 4 weapon attacks using the attack action with this feat? And can I still get a BA to use a Blinding Smite with my sword. I won't be concentrating on anything else like hex, I'll wait till I'm out of smite slots. Plus Sword bard gets weapon flourishes a 1d10 to add to each sword attack and they're listed as a (no action) just part of your sword attack.
Attack is a full action, but because you have the Extra Attack feature, you get to make two attacks every time you take the Attack action. Then, if you are wielding a light weapon in both hands, you can use a Bonus Action to make a weapon attack with the weapon held in your other hand. This attack does not receive a damage bonus from your Dexterity or Strength like a normal weapon attack.
Normally this would be all you can do, but Action Surge gives you a whole other Action you can use on the same turn that you've already used your Action, once per long rest. So you can again take the Attack action which benefits from your Extra Attack again, giving you two more attacks. If you used Two Weapon Fighting this gives you a total of 5 weapon attacks in one turn, once per long rest.
Notice that this used up two Actions and a Bonus Action, so you do not have a Bonus Action to do anything else that requires it. You cannot cast Blinding Smite and use Two Weapon Fighting in the same turn, because they both use your Bonus Action. Luckily, Blinding Smite lasts for an entire minute. You can cast the spell and hold that charge for later on, discharging the extra damage from that spell doesn't take an action. The Eldritch Smite feature also doesn't take an action, you just need to hit. Note that your Hexblade's Curse also takes a Bonus Action.
If you had one or two turns to prepare before your attack you can really put the hurt on someone: Turn 1) Hexblade's Curse, Turn 2) Blinding Smite, Turn 3) Unleash 5 attacks, if one of them rolls a natural 19-20 that's a crit which is when you pump in all the additional damage (3d8 Blinding Smite, but only available on the first attack, 1d10 Blade Flourish, 2d8 Eldritch Smite). With 5 possible attacks, I would suggest you trade in the first one for a shove if you have a decent Athletics score (Expertise?) so that the rest of them have Advantage, vastly increasing your crit chance.
If you don't have prep time, then you'll have to choose between Hexblade's Curse, Blinding Smite, or an offhand attack because you can only do one of those.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I'm also playing a Swords/Hexblade, which is why I've given that attack sequence so much thought, but I'm currently Swords Bard 4/Swashbuckler Rogue 4/Hexblade Warlock 1.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
The extra attack option on a Paladin is listed as a special (no action). For a Paladin a Wrathful Smite is a bonus action. Extra attack gives two of any kind of attack whenever the attack action is used. Divine smite can trigger on any melee hit (no action). Hence a wrathful smite into two divine smite melees = 1action and 1bonus action. The Features and traits segment on your character sheet on D&D Beyond should clarify for you. Or details of the spells in the PHB.
The extra attack option on a Paladin is listed as a special (no action). For a Paladin a Wrathful Smite is a bonus action. Extra attack gives two of any kind of attack whenever the attack action is used. Divine smite can trigger on any melee hit (no action). Hence a wrathful smite into two divine smite melees = 1action and 1bonus action. The Features and traits segment on your character sheet on D&D Beyond should clarify for you. Or details of the spells in the PHB.
And what does this have to do with a sword bard/hexblade 2 weapon fighting?
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Question, I have a sword bard / hexblade with two attacks. He has a hex sword and whip as second weapon. So on an attack action gets two sword and one whip attack...assuming all hit can he use one or two smites with his sword hits? Smites are via Warlock...wrathful smite for instance or can he not use any because of all the attacks?
PS I read through lots of forum threads on two weapon fighting, dual wielding feat, etc and it only made me more confused.
I'm not entirely sure what your question is, I'll try to be thorough.
Wrathful smite (and all smite spells) takes a bonus action to cast, so you can't cast it and make a two weapon fighting attack in the same turn (as that also uses bonus action). Smite spells also only deal extra damage on the next hit, so 2 or 3 attacks still only trigger the spell once per casting.
Pact of blade warlocks can also get the eldritch smite invocation which doesn't require an action to use, but is specifically once per turn. You can combine it with smite spells, divine smite, sword flourish and any other damage buff though.
The Warlock's smites are all spells with a casting time of a bonus action, require concentration, and do their damage on the next successful melee hit.
So what does all this mean? Firstly, these are not in any way the same as how a Paladin uses their smite abilities. The rules that apply here are about spellcasting.
Firstly, you can only have one Smite activated at a time because you can only concentrate on one spell. Hard limit of one smite per attack.
Next, casting a smite spell uses up your bonus action for the turn. That means you cannot use the bonus attack from two weapon fighting that same turn. That additional attack is not part of the Attack Action at all, but it is a bonus action granted to you by holding two appropriate weapons. You would be limited to casting a smite, then your regular two attacks (which could be two sword, two whip or one of each). If you missed all attacks then your smite could last through til your next turn. Any turn when you don't cast a smite you would be able to take that bonus action additional attack.
The result is that warlock smites do not combo well with dual wielding weapons.
If you use the eldritch invocation eldritch smite you can use that once per turn when you make a melee attack. In addition you could use a bonus action to "prepare" one of the other smite spells such as wrathful and on a subsequent turn trigger that. The most you could get out of a single turn would be two smites, one being eldritch smite the other being wrathful smite (if prepared the round before). They could be used on any combination of your attacks you elect to use as they trigger from an attack.
Just to add:
You might be confusing the idea of Smite spells with the Paladin's Divine Smite. The Paladin can add his or her smite ability to each attack a the cost of a spell slot, however any that come from the source of a spell being cast have the restrictions others have already stated.
Not quite any combination. When you cast a smite spell (for example searing smite, the effect happens on your next successful hit. You don't get to choose which attack it affects.
Also note that if you are casting smite spells then you are not using hex or any other concentration spell.
Thanks that clears up some of it...I'm still not sure about about how many weapons attacks I get dual wielding when you have two normal attacks. All the various two weapon fighting skills from the classes like fighter and bard are different then the Feat two weapon fighting. One of you mentioned two sword and two whip attacks and that's how I would imagine two attacks with dual wielding goes....but do I get a bonus action to smite? I'd gladly trade a second whip attack for a Bonus Action blinding smite.
I didn't know and am still not entirely clear if I can use both an eldritch smite and a blinding smite in the same action, assuming I get two hits. I can always do sword and board, save the whip till I'm out of smites and use my Hex blade for the two attacks. The other smites I get from my Bardic 10th level abilities. I would probably get a max of 4 smites from my bardic spell slots and I am aware I couldn't use my Hex curse while smiting...they both take concentration.
And all the Pally smiting I see on Twitch or Youtube looks like the can smite on every hit (2 per turn if they hit) as long as they have spell slots. Even though the pally smites are listed as Bonus Actions as well.
Eldritch smite can be used once per turn, no other restrictions so it can be paired with another type of smite on the same attack.
Having an extra attack (like from the Thirsting Blade) means that with a single Attack action you get two attacks - which can use any combination of weapons you are holding.
Your character can also use one Bonus action if you have an ability that grants a bonus action option. Holding two (light) weapons grants a bonus action option to attack, but you can only use one bonus action per turn. Casting Blinding Smite uses your bonus action for that turn, so you can't make the bonus two-weapon attack that same turn.
The Paladin's Divine Smite ability does not take a bonus action to use, it's just something you can do automatically on a hit.
Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d8.
There are entirely too many game features with ‘smite’ in the name. Again, someone already mentioned this, but divine smite and the paladin smite spells are different.
After reading through this thread, it still seems like different people are talking about different 'smites,' so I thought a summary was in order. Hopefully that will clear things up a bit.
If you are dual wielding and you have the extra attack feature or the thirsting blade invocation then when you take the Attack action with your main weapon you get to make TWO attacks. If you are also holding a light melee weapon in BOTH hands you are able to make ONE additional bonus action attack with the weapon in your other hand.
"TWO-WEAPON FIGHTING
When you take the Attack action and attack with a light melee weapon that you're holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light melee weapon that you're holding in the other hand. You don't add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus attack, unless that modifier is negative. If either weapon has the thrown property, you can throw the weapon, instead of making a melee attack with it."
Here are the characteristics for a whip:
Whip 2 gp 1d4 slashing 3 lb. Finesse, reach
A whip is NOT a light melee weapon so you can NOT make a two weapon fighting attack with a whip UNLESS you also have the dual wielder feat.
"DUAL WIELDER
You master fighting with two weapons, gaining the following benefits:
• You gain a +1 bonus to AC while you are wielding a separate melee weapon in each hand.
• You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one handed melee weapons you are wielding aren't light.
• You can draw or stow two one•handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one."
Dual Wielder allows you to make two weapon fighting attacks with weapons that are not light which includes the whip and likely whatever your pact weapon might be.
However, keep in mind that the two weapon fighting attack does NOT add your attack stat to the damage unless you also have the two weapon fighting style - available to fighters and rangers. So, if you have a whip and the dual wielder feat you would get ONE additional attack that uses your bonus action and would do 1d4 damage - the stat is not added unless you also have the fighting style.
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Smites are divided into Divine Smite/Eldritch Smite which are used at will when you hit an opponent. Divine smite can use any spell slot but Eldritch smite MUST use warlock spell slots ONLY and you have to have the Eldritch Smite invocation to use it. Usually I find Eldritch Smite to be a waste of resources until at least level 11 warlock when they get three spell slots/short rest since warlocks usually have much better things to spend their spell slots on.
The other smite spells require casting as a BONUS action. If you use your bonus action to cast a spell you can not use your bonus action to make a off hand (two weapon fighting) attack. If you cast a smite spell, you have to maintain concentration on it (you can't have any other concentration spells running ... which high level bards usually do) and the smite spell will trigger its damage the next time you hit with a melee attack.
When you hit on a melee attack you can always choose to use Eldritch Smite/divine smite as well whether there is additional damage from the spell or not (assuming you have the necessary spell slots available).
Bards do NOT get smite. The only similar ability I can recall is a whispers bard which gets psychic blades which uses their bardic inspiration to deal extra damage on a melee weapon hit but this is limited to once/round (you can't use more than one in a combat round) and can't be used on multiple attacks in the same round the way Eldritch Smite and divine smite can be used.
Which kind of bard are you? Bards at level 10 only get an increase to their bardic inspiration die, magical secrets and expertise in skills - none get an ability to deliver smites unless you have something homebrewed.
----
Paladin DIVINE SMITE is NOT the same as ANY of the smite spells.
"DIVINE SMITE
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one paladin spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon's damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend."
This is NOT a spell. It does not require a bonus action. It is a special paladin ability. PHB p85. This is why they can do it multiple times in a single turn.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/classes/paladin?page=3#ClassFeatures
One thing to add to that: Bards CAN get a smite spell, but only through their Magical Secrets ability.
You smite be right about that.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Ding Ding Ding!!!!
Agreed, same as the two weapon fighting vs dual wielding feat are different and too confusing. Halfling's Lucky and the Lucky Feat are also different and poorly named.
Thanks for your information, I'm using a 12th lvl Sword bard which gives me two attacks at 5th lvl and a variety of smites (not divine) to choose from at 10th level using "Magical Secrets" feature. I'm only a 2nd lvl Hexblade so I get only two 1st lvl Eldritch smites and a 2nd lvl fighter so I get action surge. Just an utterly devastating 1st turn in combat.
You mentioned dual wielder feat, so I can use whip and sword, so do I get only 3 or 4 weapon attacks using the attack action with this feat? And can I still get a BA to use a Blinding Smite with my sword. I won't be concentrating on anything else like hex, I'll wait till I'm out of smite slots. Plus Sword bard gets weapon flourishes a 1d10 to add to each sword attack and they're listed as a (no action) just part of your sword attack.
Attack is a full action, but because you have the Extra Attack feature, you get to make two attacks every time you take the Attack action. Then, if you are wielding a light weapon in both hands, you can use a Bonus Action to make a weapon attack with the weapon held in your other hand. This attack does not receive a damage bonus from your Dexterity or Strength like a normal weapon attack.
Normally this would be all you can do, but Action Surge gives you a whole other Action you can use on the same turn that you've already used your Action, once per long rest. So you can again take the Attack action which benefits from your Extra Attack again, giving you two more attacks. If you used Two Weapon Fighting this gives you a total of 5 weapon attacks in one turn, once per long rest.
Notice that this used up two Actions and a Bonus Action, so you do not have a Bonus Action to do anything else that requires it. You cannot cast Blinding Smite and use Two Weapon Fighting in the same turn, because they both use your Bonus Action. Luckily, Blinding Smite lasts for an entire minute. You can cast the spell and hold that charge for later on, discharging the extra damage from that spell doesn't take an action. The Eldritch Smite feature also doesn't take an action, you just need to hit. Note that your Hexblade's Curse also takes a Bonus Action.
If you had one or two turns to prepare before your attack you can really put the hurt on someone: Turn 1) Hexblade's Curse, Turn 2) Blinding Smite, Turn 3) Unleash 5 attacks, if one of them rolls a natural 19-20 that's a crit which is when you pump in all the additional damage (3d8 Blinding Smite, but only available on the first attack, 1d10 Blade Flourish, 2d8 Eldritch Smite). With 5 possible attacks, I would suggest you trade in the first one for a shove if you have a decent Athletics score (Expertise?) so that the rest of them have Advantage, vastly increasing your crit chance.
If you don't have prep time, then you'll have to choose between Hexblade's Curse, Blinding Smite, or an offhand attack because you can only do one of those.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I'm also playing a Swords/Hexblade, which is why I've given that attack sequence so much thought, but I'm currently Swords Bard 4/Swashbuckler Rogue 4/Hexblade Warlock 1.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
The Duel Wielder feat doesn't give you any more attacks, it just expands the kinds of weapons you can use.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
The extra attack option on a Paladin is listed as a special (no action). For a Paladin a Wrathful Smite is a bonus action. Extra attack gives two of any kind of attack whenever the attack action is used. Divine smite can trigger on any melee hit (no action). Hence a wrathful smite into two divine smite melees = 1action and 1bonus action.
The Features and traits segment on your character sheet on D&D Beyond should clarify for you.
Or details of the spells in the PHB.
And what does this have to do with a sword bard/hexblade 2 weapon fighting?