Wrathful Smite

Level 1 Evocation spell available to Paladins. It adds 1d6 Psychic to a hit and may Frighten the target, taking a melee threat off your back line for two turns.

Spell description: Your weapon absorbs your wrath as you strike, possibly Frightening your target. If the spellcaster misses the initial Attack, the Spell Slot and Bonus Action are not consumed.

Spell properties

• Damage: 1d6 Psychic plus normal weapon damage
• Damage type: Psychic
• Range: Weapon range
• Duration: Concentration
• Save: WIS save
• Attack type: Melee weapon Attack Roll
• Conditions applied: Frightened for 2 turns on a failed save.
• Cost: Action + Bonus Action + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

Casting Wrathful Smite at higher levels provides no additional benefits.

How to obtain Wrathful Smite

• The Hexblade (Warlock) at Class level 1
• Paladin at Class level 2
• Source item: Voss’s Silver Sword

When to cast Wrathful Smite

The 1d6 is trivial; the Frightened rider is the reason to cast it. A frightened enemy attacks at Disadvantage and cannot approach you, which effectively takes a melee threat off your back line for two turns.

It is Concentration and a Wisdom save, so it is less reliable than the other smites, and it does nothing on the disciplined enemies that resist fear. On the right target, though, one failed save neutralises a dangerous attacker for a single slot, and a miss costs you nothing.