Sacrificial Smite Weapon with Pathfinder Paladin

[kyrt-ryder]

So I just encountered the Sacrificial Smite weapon ability (3.5) and I have to say... it looks really interesting for a Pathfinder Paladin (especially a multiclassed one who would have fewer smites than they'd like.)

In 3.5 taking on a negative level for 24 hours to smite an extra time would have been a VERY bad trade. But with the way Pathfinder smite works, I could see this being a worthwhile investment.

Getting down to the purpose of this thread, what do you guys think about the ability in Pathfinder? Does it seem useful/interesting? Do you feel it would be overpowered or is the price (both of a +1 increase to the weapon's cost as well as the negative level) too high to pay?

[Cheapy]

Not only did its primary benefit change drastically, but so too did its balancing factor. It's not balanced for Pathfinder and I wouldn't allow it.

[kyrt-ryder]

Fair enough Cheapy.

One other thing I neglected to mention in the Opening Post is that it's not a simple 'take negative level, Smite Evil' effect. One has to hit the target creature with the Sacrificial Smite weapon before they can activate it. Meaning that if this first attack hit (without the benefits of Smite), the Paladin would have one fewer 'smite attack' than normal against that opponent. If it missed there would be more than that.

EDIT: honestly... I'm of the opinion a -1 penalty to everything and -5 total and current HP is pretty significant. Not completely crippling, but significant.