How Much Is Eldritch Smite Damage

How Much Damage Does Eldritch Smite Do? A Comprehensive Guide

The Eldritch Smite is a powerful cantrip for Warlocks, adding extra damage to their attacks, but exactly how much damage it deals can be a little confusing. This guide will break down the damage calculation, influencing factors, and help you maximize your Eldritch Smite's effectiveness.

Meta Description: Learn how to calculate the damage of Eldritch Smite, including factors like Warlock level, spell slots used, and damage type. Maximize your Warlock's damage output with this comprehensive guide.

This potent Warlock feature allows you to infuse your weapon attacks with extra damage, scaling with your Warlock level and the spell slot you expend. It's not just about raw numbers; understanding the nuances of Eldritch Smite is crucial for strategic combat.

Understanding the Basic Damage

The core damage of Eldritch Smite is determined by the level of the spell slot you use:

Level 1 Spell Slot: 1d8 force damage
Level 2 Spell Slot: 2d8 force damage
Level 3 Spell Slot: 3d8 force damage
Level 4 Spell Slot: 4d8 force damage
Level 5 Spell Slot: 5d8 force damage

This damage is added on top of your weapon's normal damage, making it a significant boost to your combat prowess. Remember that force damage ignores resistance and immunity to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage. This is a key advantage of Eldritch Smite.

Factors Influencing Eldritch Smite Damage

Several factors can influence the final damage output of your Eldritch Smite:

Warlock Level: While the spell slot determines the number of d8s, your Warlock level impacts your other damage sources, such as your weapon's attack bonus and potentially added damage from feats or abilities. A higher level Warlock will generally deal more damage overall.
Weapon Choice: The base damage of your weapon is crucial. A greatsword will naturally deal more damage than a dagger, even with the same Eldritch Smite application.
Features and Abilities: Certain Warlock invocations, feats (like Great Weapon Master), and class features can further enhance your Eldritch Smite's damage.
Critical Hits: Landing a critical hit doubles the dice rolled for both your weapon damage and your Eldritch Smite damage, resulting in a substantial increase in damage output.
Spell Slot Level: As mentioned before, the level of the spell slot directly impacts the number of d8s rolled. Using higher level spell slots significantly increases the potential damage.

Maximizing Eldritch Smite Damage

To get the most out of your Eldritch Smite:

Consider your resources: Don't waste high-level spell slots on weak attacks. Save them for crucial moments or powerful enemies.
Utilize advantage: Increase your chances of landing a critical hit by gaining advantage on your attack roll.
Combine with other abilities: Strategically use other abilities and features to enhance your damage, such as Hex or other damage-boosting spells.
Choose the right weapon: Select a weapon that aligns with your playstyle and maximizes damage output.

Conclusion

Eldritch Smite's damage isn't a static number; it's a dynamic calculation influenced by various factors. By understanding these factors and optimizing your strategy, you can unleash the full potential of this powerful Warlock ability and become a formidable force on the battlefield. Remember to always consider your character's level, spell slot availability, and the overall combat situation when deciding when and how to use Eldritch Smite.