Thunderous Smite

Level 1 Evocation spell available to Paladins. It adds 2d6 Thunder to a hit and shoves the target 3m, possibly Prone. A control smite that loves a nearby ledge.

Spell description: Your weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3m away and possibly knocking it Prone. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the Spell Slot and Bonus Action are not consumed.

Spell properties

• Damage: 2d6 Thunder plus normal weapon damage
• Damage type: Thunder
• Range: Weapon range
• Save: STR save
• Attack type: Melee weapon Attack Roll
• Conditions applied: Pushed back 3m and knocked Prone on a failed save.
• Cost: Action + Bonus Action + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

Casting Thunderous Smite at higher levels provides no additional benefits.

How to obtain Thunderous Smite

• Paladin at Class level 2
• College of Lore (Bard) at Class level 6 via Magical Secrets
• Bard at Class level 10 via Magical Secrets
• Source item: Cacophony

When to cast Thunderous Smite

The push and Prone are the value, not the 2d6. Smite an enemy on a ledge and the 3m shove sends it off the edge, and a Prone target is easy pickings for the rest of your party. It is a control smite dressed up as a damage one.

It costs no slot on a miss, so there is no downside to leading with it, and the Strength save to resist the knockback is one many enemies fail. Line up a cliff or a chasm and this Level 1 slot can end a dangerous enemy outright.