Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Components: V
Duration: Concentration
, up to 1 minute
Damage Type: Radiance
Conditions: Invisible
The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends, the weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike. The attack deals an extra 2d6 radiant damage to the target, which becomes visible if it's invisible, and the target sheds dim light in a 5-foot radius and can't become invisible until the spell ends.
When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 2nd.
Verbal Component:
Oppugno di Exoculo
Verbal Component (Alternative):
By my oath and radiant might, I strike thee down with my branding smite.
Class: Paladin
Tags: Damage
Source: Player's Handbook [5th Edition] (page 219)
View Branding Smite Spell Card
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Spell FAQs
Below are commonly asked questions about this spell. Some of the information is pulled official D&D sources (such as books and the twitter feeds of D&D officials), but other information is derived from forums and online discussions. As always, it is up to the DM to decide how they wish to spell questions. If you have a FAQ about this spell that you feel other DM's may wish to know, please send us the message!
Can you use Branding Smite with a ranged weapon?
Yes. The spell states:
The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends
The description states "a weapon attack" and not "a melee attack," therefore ranged attacks are allowed with this spell.
Other Planes and Effects
Below is information about this spell as it relates to other planes and area of effects (i.e. underwater). Some of the information is pulled official D&D sources (such as books and the twitter feeds of D&D officials), but other information is derived from forums and online discussions. As always, it is up to the DM to decide how they wish to handle spell effects.
Underwater - Verbal Component
Official rules have been verified by Jeremy Crawford - "No rule prohibits verbal components from working underwater. Keep in mind that if you're talking, you're not holding your breath." Hence, while submerged underwater and holding its breath, a creature can cast a spell that requires a verbal component. After casting the spell, if the creature can't breathe underwater, it immediately runs out of breath. The creature can survive for a number of rounds equal to its Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round).
