Smite Evil and regeneration


Rules Questions


Since some creatures are capable of regenerating even after they have "died", I was wondering how this affects the Paladin's Smite Evil ability.

Let's say a troll is my designated target. I crit with my Smite Evil, do tons of damage and it drops. However, since I haven't applied fire or acid to permanently kill it, does the Smite Evil stay in effect on that target or has it technicall "died"?


Sir Jolt wrote:

Since some creatures are capable of regenerating even after they have "died", I was wondering how this affects the Paladin's Smite Evil ability.

Let's say a troll is my designated target. I crit with my Smite Evil, do tons of damage and it drops. However, since I haven't applied fire or acid to permanently kill it, does the Smite Evil stay in effect on that target or has it technicall "died"?

Smite evil's pretty clear. Either the enemy is dead, or you've rested. If the enemy isn't dead because of Regeneration, then the enemy simply is not dead. You could keep smiting its limp body over and over and over, driving it into the negatives further and further and further.


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Sir Jolt wrote:
Since some creatures are capable of regenerating even after they have "died", I was wondering how this affects the Paladin's Smite Evil ability.

It's not after they have died, it's after they would have died if they didn't have regeneration.

A non-burned troll at -40 HP has not yet died, it is unconscious, but will continue to regenerate until it takes acid or fire damage.

Since it has not died, Smite Evil remains in effect against that creature (unless the Paladin has rested).

Regeneration (Ex): "A creature with this ability is difficult to kill. Creatures with regeneration heal damage at a fixed rate, as with fast healing, but they cannot die as long as their regeneration is still functioning (although creatures with regeneration still fall unconscious when their hit points are below 0)."


Ashiel wrote:
Smite evil's pretty clear. Either the enemy is dead, or you've rested. If the enemy isn't dead because of Regeneration, then the enemy simply is not dead. You could keep smiting its limp body over and over and over, driving it into the negatives further and further and further.

I agree with Ashiel. As a GM I tend to consider a creature "dead" at zero if there is no way for a creature to heal itself. Now, that is not to say an enemy cannot be healed by their ally, because that has certainly happened. However, in my group it is understood that part of the "loot the body" process after combat involves making sure the enemy stays dead.

In your case with the Paladin, it may be rather fun to see how the Paladin reacts when it cannot smite another creature on the battlefield until he/she figures out that the troll must be "finished off."


Well, there is the Tarrasque's regenerative ability, which actually does reference being "slain by a death effect". Not sure.

Edit: I'm curious how this works with things like breath of life and perhaps other resurrection spells (or animate dead, for that matter).


Brodyz wrote:
In your case with the Paladin, it may be rather fun to see how the Paladin reacts when it cannot smite another creature on the battlefield until he/she figures out that the troll must be "finished off."

Why would she be unable to smite something else?

If she still has smites left, she can have more than one active at once.

If she rests to regain her uses of smite, the existing smite vanishes.


Good reason to always pack alchemists fire, acid, or a scroll of align weapon. Only need to do real damage for one round in order to kill such a creature.

The smite evil is in effect until actual death has occured or the paladin rests. Being knocked into unconciousness doesn't count by RAW.

- Gauss

Scarab Sages

The paladin should be smart enough to make effective use of Divine Bond.


Artanthos wrote:
The paladin should be smart enough to make effective use of Divine Bond.

If that bond is a horse, then making +1 flaming horseshoes?


Ashiel wrote:
Artanthos wrote:
The paladin should be smart enough to make effective use of Divine Bond.
If that bond is a horse, then making [i]+1 flaming horseshoes[/url

I approve of this. Stat 'em as Large cesti.


Ashiel wrote:
Artanthos wrote:
The paladin should be smart enough to make effective use of Divine Bond.
If that bond is a horse, then making +1 flaming horseshoes?

This is brilliant for a goblin paladin.

Summon bonded horse. Light it on fire.


Grick wrote:
Ashiel wrote:
Artanthos wrote:
The paladin should be smart enough to make effective use of Divine Bond.
If that bond is a horse, then making +1 flaming horseshoes?

This is brilliant for a goblin paladin.

Summon bonded horse. Light it on fire.

With enough magic goodies, you too can look like you're righting a nightmare. :D

Or, we could use Craft Construct to create an effigy of a horse, and give it the correct magical properties as well.

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