D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Smite Evil/Good question

[Zeppo]

Hi! Was just wondering about the Smite Evil/Good ability. In the SRD it says, "Once per day, a paladin may attempt to smite evil with one normal melee attack." Does this mean that the ability is wasted for the day if the melee attack isn't successful?

Whereas with creatures eg. celestial animals the Smite Evil description says, "Once per day a celestial dog can make a normal melee attack to deal 1 point of extra damage against an evil foe." Does this mean that the creatures' ability is somehow different from the character class ability in that the ability is "on hold" until the creature hits?

 

[Noir le Lotus]

Hi! Was just wondering about the Smite Evil/Good ability. In the SRD it says, "Once per day, a paladin may attempt to smite evil with one normal melee attack." Does this mean that the ability is wasted for the day if the melee attack isn't successful?

Yes, if you miss your smite attack, it is used for the day.

Whereas with creatures eg. celestial animals the Smite Evil description says, "Once per day a celestial dog can make a normal melee attack to deal 1 point of extra damage against an evil foe." Does this mean that the creatures' ability is somehow different from the character class ability in that the ability is "on hold" until the creature hits?

No, even if the text is lightly different, this ability works exactly like the Paladin's Smite Evil => if the celestial creature miss, the smite is used for the day.

 

[Duke Arioch]

Noir said it. However, there is a way around this: Charging smite ACF from PHB2 (lose mount, can smite on charge) does not spend daily use if paladin misses the charge attack.

 

[Zeppo]

Thanks, guys! Used it is, then.

 

[emoplato]

Thanks, guys! Used it is, then.

Charging smite is awesome, but a combo trick can be used to allow you to smite a full attack without even expending even one of your daily uses. First, pick an incarnum race, I would choose the Azurin for the bonus feat. At first level pick wild talent and sapphire smite. This gives extra smite damage and additional uses equal to invested essentia. The next time you choose a feat get psycarnum infusion this bad boy allows one essentia based ability to act as fully invested for one round by expending a psionic focus. You would also want to get either psionic meditation(become focused on a move action) or instant clarity(become focused as a swift 3/day).
If the smite evil seems limited you may want to look into a Gray Guard in the Complete Scoundrel it expands smite evil to chaotic and anyone whom you deem aiding and abetting evil. It also gives some interesting new uses for lay on hands. The only major thing it doesn't advance of paladin is the mount which of course you would give up.