All Smite Spells In Baldur’s Gate 3, Ranked

In the base game of Baldur's Gate 3, players can access spells up to sixth level. Most of these spells are taken from Dungeons & Dragons, with a few exceptions which are unique to BG3. There are several Smite abilities in the game which players can gain from their chosen class or race.

These spells are rightfully associated with the paladin class, but they're not actually unique to it, and some of them aren't actually available to paladin avatars. Though they aren't technically considered spells, the game effectively treats them as such, and a successful Smite will always use up a spell slot. Despite each Smite having its uses, some are much more useful than others.

9 Staggering Smite

The Paladin Spell That Never Was

Staggering Smite is objectively the least useful smite spell in Baldur's Gate 3, considering how it actually cannot be used by players. It is a fourth-level paladin ability unique to the Death Knight NPCs - this includes Stalker Svignee in the sewers and the three found in the Bhaalist crypt outside the Hall of the Murder Tribunal, where players can meet Sarevok and become an unholy assasin. Since Baldur's Gate 3's paladin class doesn't include spells above level four, players will not be able to access this Smite themselves.

In terms of damage, it's one of the stronger Smites in the game, but is quite weak for a fourth-level spell. It has a chance of inflicting the affected character with a condition which prevents them from using any reactions, and gives them disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls. In 5e DnD, paladins gain level four spell slots when they reach level 13, meaning BG3 players were one level off of being able to use this spell.

8 Lunar Smite

Dame Aylin's Unique Ability

Lunar Smite is another ability that can only be used by NPCs and is not available to the player. However, it ranks slightly higher on the list because it is used by Dame Aylin, who can often become an ally in the fight against Ketheric Thorm and The Apostle of Myrkul. The spell deals 1d6 extra radiant damage, and inflicts Holy Fire, which causes the target to take 1–4 damage each turn.

When Dame Aylin is on the player's side, she can be a game-changer in fights that she is present in. The undead are vulnerable to radiant damage, meaning this spell is extremely convenient for her to have when going up against undead bosses. However, Aylin is only available for these particular fights, on top of being a possible ally in the Netherbrain fight, where her ability is less useful, since in this case the party fights against several aberrations as well as a dragon, as opposed to the undead.

7 Wrathful Smite

A Useful Spell, But Overshadowed By The Other Smites

Attacking using Wrathful Smite will deal an extra 1d6 of psychic damage. The main selling point of this spell is that it has a chance of possibly causing the target to become Frightened, which prevents them from moving and causes the affected character to have disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls. This lasts for two turns, and can be useful for keeping enemies in one place.

Wrathful Smite is a great level one spell, but is very situational. It's good for tanking hits from a particular enemy, stopping them from escaping to attack another member of the party, as well as making their attacks less effective. Though it is stronger than a regular attack and is useful to have on hand, players may be better off using their spell slots for something else. The spell is used as a melee attack and lots of enemies will end up focusing on the character closest to them anyway.

6 Searing Smite

Fire Damage Is Useful In Some Circumstances

Searing Smite is a level one spell which can be learned by paladins at level two, or is gained at level three by any Zariel tiefling such as Karlach. The spell is decent in certain situations, but will often do less damage than intended. At level one, the spell deals up to six fire damage, with 1d6 being added for each level it's cast at. The spell inflicts the target with an effect called Searing Smite, where if the target fails a constitution saving throw, they can take an extra 1d6 damage once every turn up to 10 times.

Fire damage is great against certain enemies, but it's one of the most common resistances and immunities in Baldur's Gate 3. This means that players will often be better off using a different type of Smite, especially in areas such as Grymforge or the House of Hope. However, it can certainly be useful in early game areas against weaker enemies.

5 Thunderous Smite

A Useful Early Game Ability

Thunderous Smite is a stronger early-game Smite, dealing up to 12 extra thunder damage when cast. A character casting this spell will push the affected entity away from them, which makes this spell a little similar to thunderwave. Attacking an enemy with this spell possibly knocks them prone, which makes it a great option for leaving a target vulnerable to another attack, such as a rogue's Sneak Attack if the player happens to have one in their party.

Since the spell cannot be upcast, it is significantly weaker in the late-game, but it is a good choice in Act One. At level one, Divine Smite deals 2d8 damage, as opposed to Thunderous Smite's 2d6. In some situations, players may find that knocking an enemy prone is more useful than dealing the possible extra 1–4 points of damage. Thunderous Smite only uses a level one spell slot, so it's a cheap way of knocking an enemy prone, or pushing them into chasms. If the character doesn't have the thunderwave spell, then this is a decent substitute.

4 Branding Smite

A Useful Ability Which Deals Radiant Damage At Range

Branding Smite is one of the few smite spells which can be cast as a melee attack or at range. Though not as effective as Divine Smite, it's a good choice for extra radiant damage if the target is far away, and deals 2d6 radiant damage at level two. Branding a target with this attack prevents them from turning invisible; although this isn't common among most enemies, there are lots of fights where players can benefit from this. For example, Yurgir in the gauntlet of Shar, or Auntie Ethel are two such encounters.

However, the main use of this Smite can become obsolete if the player decides to take Volo's Ersatz Eye, since this will permanently give them the See Invisibility condition. Though if an enemy is outside the line of sight of the avatar with the eye, then Branding Smite can still prove useful. This is another spell granted to Zariel tieflings, but is gained at level five. Unlike lots of other Smite spells, this can be upcast, with an extra 1d6 radiant damage per level.

3 Blinding Smite

A Powerful Attack That Blinds Enemies

Blinding Smite is a level three spell that deals 3d8 radiant damage, and has a chance of blinding the target. Blinded creatures cannot make opportunity attacks and have limited reach when it comes to ranged attacks, which is an effective way of keeping an enemy subdued in battle. Characters gain advantage when attacking enemies who are blinded, meaning this spell works well with any ability that benefits from that - such as, again, a companion who can use sneak attack.

The Blinded condition causes whoever is affected to have disadvantage on attack rolls, which makes Blinding Smite arguably superior to Wrathful Smite, since it does more damage and achieves almost the same desired effect. The same can be said for Thunderous Smite, since a target that is blind is vulnerable to attacks in a way that is similar to being prone. Though this spell is more powerful than some other smites, as a level three spell it is a lot more expensive in terms of spell slots, since paladins only get three spell slots of this level.

2 Banishing Smite

A Powerful Attack Unique To Bards

Although in DnD, it's a level five paladin spell, in Baldur's Gate 3, Banishing Smite can be learned by bards at tenth level through the Magical Secrets feature. The spell deals 5d10 force damage and has a ranged and melee variant, making it one of the most devastating bard spells. Casting the spell has a chance of banishing the target to another plane of existence for two turns, which is extremely useful when dealing with particularly annoying enemies, as it allows players to focus on different groups of foes.

Though Bards can only gain two level five spell slots and one level six spell slot at at twelfth level, this is the bard spell that has the most potential for one-time damage, even compared to the other spells when upcast. Though other level five spells such as hold monster or mass cure wounds may be more useful to support the rest of the party, this spell is great for dealing a very powerful attack. The main drawback is how late in the game players will receive it.

1 Divine Smite

The Most Iconic Smite There Is

Divine Smite is the obvious choice for the best Smite ability. Gained at paladin level two, it's one of the most powerful attacks available to players, and will only use up a spell slot if it actually hits. When used at first level, it deals 2d8 radiant damage, with an extra 1d8 for every extra spell slot level up to 5d8. It also has the ability to be used as a reaction upon critical hits, allowing players to stack up some significant damage.

With the Divine Smite ability, it's no surprise that the paladin has consistently been the most popular class in Baldur's Gate 3. It has been topping the charts since the first week of release, and proved to be the class chosen by most players in the one-year anniversary statistics (via infographics shared by the official Baldur's Gate 3 Twitter account here and here). There is a passive ability called Improved Divine Smite which can be gained at paladin level 11, and grants an additional 1d8 radiant damage, making it even more powerful.

Divine Smite can be used twice in one turn at higher levels; if a player has spell slots to spare, then it's great for quickly cutting down enemies. Radiant damage is especially useful, since undead enemies can be found all throughout the game. Smites are some of the more unique and powerful attacks in Baldur's Gate 3, but the iconic Divine Smite cannot be matched in convenience and overall damage output.

Source: Baldur's Gate 3/Twitter (1, 2)