Celestial template--smite evil

[Hobit of Bree]

I'm trying to figure out exactly how long a celestial creature's "smite evil" lasts and who it affects.

"The creature may smite evil 1/day as a swift action (it adds its Cha bonus to attack rolls, and a damage bonus equal to its HD against evil foes; smite persists until the target is dead or the celestial creature rests)."

If the celestial creature smites (evil) creature "A", does the bonuses from the smite apply to other evil creatures until A dies? Or does it only affect creature A? The wordy is wacky, in that there is no clear "target" for smite evil until we discuss persisting. I'm assuming you have to declare "I activate smite vs. creature A". But even range isn't obvious.

The best I can conclude is that you *only* are meant to get that damage against that one creature, and only if they are evil. Is that right? Just wierd that they couldn't (and haven't yet) gotten the wording clear on this.

Thanks!

[Mysterious Stranger]

It works just like the paladins smite evil. You declare it vs a single target, and it only applies to that target nothing else. Look it up under that paladins class ability.

[blahpers]

It's worded badly, but I'm pretty sure the intent is that it only affects a single creature, just like the paladin's ability. (Note that the fiendish and counterpoised templates word it that way, but the celestial, resolute, and entropic template all have the same confusing wording.)

[Melkiador]

Heh. Never noticed how that's worded before. I'm about 99.9% sure it's single target only, but the wording really does make it sound questionable.

The 3.5 version had much simpler language as it only lasted for one attack, anyway.

[Hobit of Bree]

Thanks all. Our DM and I all reached that same opinion.

[Symon_Mx]

URGENT HELP!!!

Where in the books, or in which book (and page) explains the celestial template?
I have a 3rd level Wizard and I have no clue as to what the "celestial template" does to a Summoned Monster.

Thanks in advance.

[Melkiador]

Bestiary, page 294, according to archives of Nethys.
Here’s a link

[Symon_Mx]

Melkiador wrote:

Bestiary, page 294, according to archives of Nethys.

Here’s a link

THANKS A BUNCH!!! It's exacly what I was looking for.

[Jeff Morse]

It does not by pass DR, as that is not listed. Common mistake. Nor does it change alignment of creators that get it in the wild, so a fiendish centipede is still natural.