Should Arcing Smite do more damage?

[doctorhook]

Arcing Smite, Paladin Encounter Attack 3
Target: One or two creatures
Attack: Strength vs. AC, one attack per target
Hit: 1[W] + Strength modifier damage, and the target is marked until the end of your next turn.

Any else sorta think this power should do more damage? Strength Paladins really get hosed at this level.

 

[phaed]

Since you can hit two creatures with the attack and mark both of them, it seems to be in line with the other level 3 encounter powers that all do 2[W] to one target.

 

[Stalker0]

Yeah, consider that if I hit both, I am doing 1[w] + str twice, which is about the same as 3[w] with a decent strength, and gets even better when you add in weapon focus, magic item bonuses, etc.

 

[Sitara]

Arcing Smite, Paladin Encounter Attack 3
Strength Paladins really get hosed at this level.

I take it you haven't seen the Paladin's level 9 options then?

 

[doctorhook]

I take it you haven't seen the Paladin's level 9 options then?

I have, but I was trying to be specific.

You're right. Overall, it seems Strength Paladins sorta get hosed, period.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I have, but I was trying to be specific.

You're right. Overall, it seems Strength Paladins sorta get hosed, period.

It's funny, because I was trying to stat up a Cha paladin and I ended up thinking 'goodness me, the Cha paladin is pretty hosed... all his abilities do a small number of fixed dice damage, while the Str paladin is getting multiple weapon damage

 

[doctorhook]

It's funny, because I was trying to stat up a Cha paladin and I ended up thinking 'goodness me, the Cha paladin is pretty hosed... all his abilities do a small number of fixed dice damage, while the Str paladin is getting multiple weapon damage

lol Well there we go, I guess.

 

[Starbuck_II]

It's funny, because I was trying to stat up a Cha paladin and I ended up thinking 'goodness me, the Cha paladin is pretty hosed... all his abilities do a small number of fixed dice damage, while the Str paladin is getting multiple weapon damage

Wait, you actually say "goodness me" in your mind?
(I never knew anyone who actually thought/said those combination of words)

Really, I think Arching Smite is fine. At most you could increase targets to up to 3, but it pretty good the way it is.

 

[taza]

Taken by itself, Arcing Smite seems in line with the other 3rd level paladin attacks. It does an overall 2(w+str), which is better than the 2w+str of Staggering Smite or the 2w+cha of Righteous Smite. The effect is a little worse than the Staggering or Righteous effects, but you get the flexibility of damaging and marking two enemies.

But since you're forced to spread the damage, I'd rather use Radiant Smite (level 1 encounter, dmg=2[w]+str+wis) against one enemy and use Divine Challenge to mark them. Or Piercing Smite (another level 1) vs. reflex for w[2]+str against one target and still mark (potentially) two or three adjacent targets?

Arcing Smite is definitely the least appealing of the 3rd level paladin attacks. At 3rd level, I'd probably select Piercing Smite over AS for the ability to attack reflex.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Wait, you actually say "goodness me" in your mind?
(I never knew anyone who actually thought/said those combination of words)

err yes?