We had this argument in game and I told him to post it here.
Smite is a melee skill.
Point #1-There are mainly three kinds of damage you can use on Diablo. One is a physical melee attack, a Spell, or a ranged attack. Smite is definately not a Spell, nor a ranged attack.
Point #2-An "Attack" uses a weapon of some type to calculate its damage, while a spell's damage is based entirely on skill level and skill damage modifiers. Smite for example, can use Grief's +damage to calculate the damage.
Point #3-The time it takes to perform attacks is typically decided by increased attack speed modifiers (IAS), while spells' casting speed is typically decided by faster cast rate modifiers (FCR). Smite can.
Point #4-Melee attacks return mana and life. Smite can.
Point #5-Crushing Blow and Open Wounds work at half-effectiveness with ranged attacks. Smite does not work at half-effectiveness.
Point #6-Melee attacks sets of procs. Lifetap on an Exile for instance. Non-Melee cannot.
Quote from a moderator from Battle.net moderator.
Quote: "Most attacks can be blocked with a shield, while spells can not. Exceptions include the Paladin's Smite skill, which can not be blocked even though it is an attack"
You are looking at Ar/Def check way too harshly and just because of that one missing melee trait, you think its not melee. When however it is only one small exception.
Here are the things summed up supporting Smite is melee.
Smite is Melee
1. Uses +damage modifier/ Ed.
2. Uses increased attack speed.
3. Life leach. Mana leach. (In pvm)
4. Procs. Ex: Lifetap on exile etc.
5. Crushing Blow and Open Wounds
Smite is not Melee
1. no AR/DEF check
2. Not fair in duels? o_O.
Smite is a melee skill.
Point #1-There are mainly three kinds of damage you can use on Diablo. One is a physical melee attack, a Spell, or a ranged attack. Smite is definately not a Spell, nor a ranged attack.
Point #2-An "Attack" uses a weapon of some type to calculate its damage, while a spell's damage is based entirely on skill level and skill damage modifiers. Smite for example, can use Grief's +damage to calculate the damage.
Point #3-The time it takes to perform attacks is typically decided by increased attack speed modifiers (IAS), while spells' casting speed is typically decided by faster cast rate modifiers (FCR). Smite can.
Point #4-Melee attacks return mana and life. Smite can.
Point #5-Crushing Blow and Open Wounds work at half-effectiveness with ranged attacks. Smite does not work at half-effectiveness.
Point #6-Melee attacks sets of procs. Lifetap on an Exile for instance. Non-Melee cannot.
Quote from a moderator from Battle.net moderator.
Quote: "Most attacks can be blocked with a shield, while spells can not. Exceptions include the Paladin's Smite skill, which can not be blocked even though it is an attack"
You are looking at Ar/Def check way too harshly and just because of that one missing melee trait, you think its not melee. When however it is only one small exception.
Here are the things summed up supporting Smite is melee.
Smite is Melee
1. Uses +damage modifier/ Ed.
2. Uses increased attack speed.
3. Life leach. Mana leach. (In pvm)
4. Procs. Ex: Lifetap on exile etc.
5. Crushing Blow and Open Wounds
Smite is not Melee
1. no AR/DEF check
2. Not fair in duels? o_O.