Yes, as noted in Sage Advice (with regard to Stunning Strike but it applies to Divine Smite too), unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks despite not being weapons.
I feel inclined to add: Sadly as per another Sage Advice, Unarmed Attacks, although considered "Weapon Attacks" are not considererd to be "Attacks with a weapon" (it's bullshit semantics but thats what the RAW is right now). So sadly you couldn't add Smite DMG to Unarmed Attacks because you have no weapon to add the damage to.
That said, that ruling is not fun at all and I don't see it unbalacing such a special multiclass. I personaly would allow it if a player had a char thats more than a munchkin.
If a Monk multiclasses to Paladin do the unarmed attacks count as melee weapon attacks for Smites?
Monk unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, but do not count as attacks with a weapon.
So for divine smite, it says:
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.
Because unarmed strikes aren't a weapon, they don't qualify,
It's the same with Banishing Smite for example:
The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends, your weapon crackles with force, and the attack deals an extra 5d10 force damage to the target.
However, at least as far as the paladins divine smite ability goes, the designers have said that this is a thematic choice, not one of balance, and allowing paladins to smite on unarmed attacks wouldn't/shouldn't imbalance anything.
If a DM decides to override this rule, no imbalance is created. Tying Divine Smite to weapons was a thematic choice on our part—paladins being traditionally associated with weapons. It was not a game balance choice.
However, at least as far as the paladins divine smite ability goes, the designers have said that this is a thematic choice, not one of balance, and allowing paladins to smite on unarmed attacks wouldn't/shouldn't imbalance anything.
If a DM decides to override this rule, no imbalance is created. Tying Divine Smite to weapons was a thematic choice on our part—paladins being traditionally associated with weapons. It was not a game balance choice.
I'm really glad they included that qualifier because "your weapon crackles with force" sounds like it should be taken about as literally as burning hands' "As you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread,"
However, at least as far as the paladins divine smite ability goes, the designers have said that this is a thematic choice, not one of balance, and allowing paladins to smite on unarmed attacks wouldn't/shouldn't imbalance anything.
If a DM decides to override this rule, no imbalance is created. Tying Divine Smite to weapons was a thematic choice on our part—paladins being traditionally associated with weapons. It was not a game balance choice.
Now I really want to build a Paladin with the Unarmed Fighting style, and live out that T-shirt that says "Muscle Wizard casts FIST" :)
If a Monk multiclasses to Paladin do the unarmed attacks count as melee weapon attacks for Smites?
Yes, as noted in Sage Advice (with regard to Stunning Strike but it applies to Divine Smite too), unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks despite not being weapons.
I feel inclined to add: Sadly as per another Sage Advice, Unarmed Attacks, although considered "Weapon Attacks" are not considererd to be "Attacks with a weapon" (it's bullshit semantics but thats what the RAW is right now). So sadly you couldn't add Smite DMG to Unarmed Attacks because you have no weapon to add the damage to.
That said, that ruling is not fun at all and I don't see it unbalacing such a special multiclass. I personaly would allow it if a player had a char thats more than a munchkin.
Monk unarmed strikes count as melee weapon attacks, but do not count as attacks with a weapon.
So for divine smite, it says:
Because unarmed strikes aren't a weapon, they don't qualify,
It's the same with Banishing Smite for example:
However, at least as far as the paladins divine smite ability goes, the designers have said that this is a thematic choice, not one of balance, and allowing paladins to smite on unarmed attacks wouldn't/shouldn't imbalance anything.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#SA253
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My apologies, I missed that part of the smite ability referencing weapons. Thanks for the clarification.
At least you can sit and talk it over with your DM to decide whether to allow it or not.
I'm really glad they included that qualifier because "your weapon crackles with force" sounds like it should be taken about as literally as burning hands' "As you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers spread,"
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Now I really want to build a Paladin with the Unarmed Fighting style, and live out that T-shirt that says "Muscle Wizard casts FIST" :)
Basically QAW: no, per: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#SA030 and https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#SA032
with a refocus to something like: "If a Monk multiclasses to Paladin can unarmed attacks be used with Smite?
Still no RAW, but with door left open for an overrule to yes, per: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/sac/sage-advice-compendium#SA253