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<blockquote data-quote="humble minion" data-source="post: 8777449" data-attributes="member: 5948">I dunno, the big advantage of smites is that they're effectively free in the action economy.&nbsp; You don't get much oomph from them, given the resources you give up.&nbsp; An average of 9hp extra damage in exchange for a first level spell slot?&nbsp; Even at 10th level, you've got, what, a total of 25d8 points of damage if you smite with every single one of your spell slots, assuming no crits and no bonus damage from targeting undead or fiends?&nbsp; About 110hp, on average.&nbsp; At that level, it's not a lot in the grand scheme of things.Generally, they're worth using if you've rolled a crit and the smite damage will be doubled, or if you REALLY need the enemy you're fighting to go down right now.&nbsp; But in general, you'll turn a fight much more effectively using your first level slot on Command than on smiting, and over time, Bless will give you even more.The equation changes a bit once you get a second attack, and giving up an action to spellcast involves giving up on two attacks (possibly three, if Great Weapon Master treats you well) rather than just one.&nbsp; But smiting is definitely not always the best option.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="humble minion, post: 8777449, member: 5948"] I dunno, the big advantage of smites is that they're effectively free in the action economy. You don't get much oomph from them, given the resources you give up. An average of 9hp extra damage in exchange for a first level spell slot? Even at 10th level, you've got, what, a total of 25d8 points of damage if you smite with every single one of your spell slots, assuming no crits and no bonus damage from targeting undead or fiends? About 110hp, on average. At that level, it's not a lot in the grand scheme of things. Generally, they're worth using if you've rolled a crit and the smite damage will be doubled, or if you REALLY need the enemy you're fighting to go down right now. But in general, you'll turn a fight much more effectively using your first level slot on Command than on smiting, and over time, Bless will give you even more. The equation changes a bit once you get a second attack, and giving up an action to spellcast involves giving up on two attacks (possibly three, if Great Weapon Master treats you well) rather than just one. But smiting is definitely not always the best option. [/QUOTE]

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