Smite V non-alignment

[DevlinStormweaver]

The group I roleplay with have just been discussing ways of hiding from creatures by using non-detection. During this discussion it came up that non-detection would nulify a Paladin's smite ability. I argued that this wasnt the case, due to non-detection masking a creatures alignment. The DM and one of the other players argued against this and stated that non-detection would nulify smite. I was wondering who is correct.

 

[Raylis]

Nondetection is a ward against detect and detection spells, it provides no protection against alignment specific damage-a paladin's smite or a holy smite or the like.

The only protection the spell may provide is a paladin who thinks a creature is evil (that actualy) isn't and smites.

 

[irdeggman]

Methinks that your DM (and fellow player) think that a paladin has to know the aligment of his target in order to use his smite ability.

That is in error. He declares he is using his smite ability before making the attack.

Smite Evil (Su): Once per day, a paladin may attempt to smite evil with one normal melee attack. She adds her Charisma bonus (if any) to her attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per paladin level. If the paladin accidentally smites a creature that is not evil, the smite has no effect, but the ability is still used up for that day.

At 5th level, and at every five levels thereafter, the paladin may smite evil one additional time per day, as indicated on Table: The Paladin, to a maximum of five times per day at 20th level.

But if the target is not evil the smite is wasted. That is risk when using the ability without knowing the target's alignment.

The spell only conceals (hides) the creature's alignment from all forms of divination. It does not "change" the alignment - otherwise good clerics could be casting evil spells and the like. There is no divination involved in using the smite ability. Detect evil on the other hand. . . .

Undetectable Alignment
Abjuration
Level: Brd 1, Clr 2, Pal 2
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target: One creature or object
Duration: 24 hours
Saving Throw: Will negates (object)
Spell Resistance: Yes (object)
An undetectable alignment spell conceals the alignment of an object or a creature from all forms of divination.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Methinks that your DM (and fellow player) think that a paladin has to know the aligment of his target in order to use his smite ability.

My guess is that they think that the smite (rather than the paladin) needs to 'know' the alignment.

In other words, that "affects X alignment" effects have a built-in 'Detect X' that the Nondetection can foil.

For example, a Holy sword that bestows a negative level on an evil wielder... "But how can the sword know he's evil, if he's got a Nondetection running?", they cry.

There's an internal consistency to it, which makes it all the more plausible... it just happens they're wrong

-Hyp.

 

[Corsair]

Which is why our group tests new applicants by blasting them with holy smite.