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Branding Smite

Evocation
Level: 2nd-level
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Self
Duration: Up to 1 minute
Components: V

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.

At Higher Levels: 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.

Concentration

Spell Details

School: Evocation
Level: 2
Ritual: No
Concentration: Yes
Classes: Paladin
A-Tier Branding Smite offers excellent action economy and utility by combining damage amplification with forced visibility and light-shedding, making it particularly valuable against invisible or hiding enemies.

Player Guide

Cast this spell before attacking, then deliver your next weapon attack to add 2d6 radiant damage—excellent for maximizing burst damage on a guaranteed hit. The forced visibility and light-shedding effects are powerful tools for denying enemy stealth and making invisible allies' targets known to the party. Use this on your turn when you have advantage, after landing a successful attack roll, or when facing invisible enemies where the visibility component provides as much value as the damage. Consider holding your action to guarantee this lands on an enemy that's about to appear, or combine it with bonus action attacks (from Haste, Two-Weapon Fighting, or class features) to maximize your action economy.

DM Tips

Clarify that the spell ends immediately after the attack hits, not after the attack is resolved, so the radiant damage is applied but the light-shedding persists for the full duration. Remember that invisible creatures forced visible by this spell still benefit from invisibility's attack advantage until they attack or cast a spell, so the light-shedding primarily benefits the party's future turns.

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