Fighter Legacy This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore. Learn More Class Details
A human in clanging plate armor holds her shield before her as she runs toward the massed goblins. An elf behind her, clad in studded leather armor, peppers the goblins with arrows loosed from his exquisite bow. The half-orc nearby shouts orders, helping the two combatants coordinate their assault to the best advantage.
A dwarf in chain mail interposes his shield between the ogre’s club and his companion, knocking the deadly blow aside. His companion, a half-elf in scale armor, swings two scimitars in a blinding whirl as she circles the ogre, looking for a blind spot in its defenses.
A gladiator fights for sport in an arena, a master with his trident and net, skilled at toppling foes and moving them around for the crowd’s delight—and his own tactical advantage. His opponent’s sword flares with blue light an instant before she sends lightning flashing forth to smite him.
All of these heroes are fighters, perhaps the most diverse class of characters in the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons. Questing knights, conquering overlords, royal champions, elite foot soldiers, hardened mercenaries, and bandit kings—as fighters, they all share an unparalleled mastery with weapons and armor, and a thorough knowledge of the skills of combat. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and staring it defiantly in the face.
Well-Rounded Specialists
Fighters learn the basics of all combat styles. Every fighter can swing an axe, fence with a rapier, wield a longsword or a greatsword, use a bow, and even trap foes in a net with some degree of skill. Likewise, a fighter is adept with shields and every form of armor. Beyond that basic degree of familiarity, each fighter specializes in a certain style of combat. Some concentrate on archery, some on fighting with two weapons at once, and some on augmenting their martial skills with magic. This combination of broad general ability and extensive specialization makes fighters superior combatants on battlefields and in dungeons alike.
Trained for Danger
Not every member of the city watch, the village militia, or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops are relatively untrained soldiers with only the most basic combat knowledge. Veteran soldiers, military officers, trained bodyguards, dedicated knights, and similar figures are fighters.
Some fighters feel drawn to use their training as adventurers. The dungeon delving, monster slaying, and other dangerous work common among adventurers is second nature for a fighter, not all that different from the life he or she left behind. There are greater risks, perhaps, but also much greater rewards—few fighters in the city watch have the opportunity to discover a magic flame tongue sword, for example.
Creating a Fighter
As you build your fighter, think about two related elements of your character’s background: Where did you get your combat training, and what set you apart from the mundane warriors around you? Were you particularly ruthless? Did you get extra help from a mentor, perhaps because of your exceptional dedication? What drove you to this training in the first place? A threat to your homeland, a thirst for revenge, or a need to prove yourself might all have been factors.
You might have enjoyed formal training in a noble’s army or in a local militia. Perhaps you trained in a war academy, learning strategy, tactics, and military history. Or you might be self-taught—unpolished but well tested. Did you take up the sword as a way to escape the limits of life on a farm, or are you following a proud family tradition? Where did you acquire your weapons and armor? They might have been military issue or family heirlooms, or perhaps you scrimped and saved for years to buy them. Your armaments are now among your most important possessions—the only things that stand between you and death’s embrace.
QUICK BUILD
You can make a fighter quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Strength or Dexterity your highest ability score, depending on whether you want to focus on melee weapons or on archery (or finesse weapons). Your next-highest score should be Constitution, or Intelligence if you plan to adopt the Eldritch Knight martial archetype. Second, choose the soldier background.
The Fighter Table
| Level | Proficiency | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | |
| 2nd | +2 | Action Surge (one use) |
| 3rd | +2 | |
| 4th | +2 | |
| 5th | +3 | |
| 6th | +3 | |
| 7th | +3 | |
| 8th | +3 | |
| 9th | +4 | Indomitable (one use) |
| 10th | +4 | |
| 11th | +4 | Extra Attack (2) |
| 12th | +4 | |
| 13th | +5 | Indomitable (two uses) |
| 14th | +5 | |
| 15th | +5 | |
| 16th | +5 | |
| 17th | +6 | Action Surge (two uses), Indomitable (three uses) |
| 18th | +6 | |
| 19th | +6 | |
| 20th | +6 | Extra Attack (3) |
Class Features
As a fighter, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per fighter level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per fighter level after 1st
Proficiencies
Armor: All armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, and Survival
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) chain mail or (b) leather armor, longbow, and 20 arrows
- (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two handaxes
- (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
Fighting Style
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.
Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Second Wind
You have a limited well of stamina that you can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn, you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level. Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.
Action Surge
Starting at 2nd level, you can push yourself beyond your normal limits for a moment. On your turn, you can take one additional action.
Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. Starting at 17th level, you can use it twice before a rest, but only once on the same turn.
Martial Archetype
At 3rd level, you choose an archetype that you strive to emulate in your combat styles and techniques. Choose Champion, Battle Master, or Eldritch Knight, all detailed at the end of the class description. The archetype you choose grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th level.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking this feature to take a feat of your choice instead.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in this class and to four when you reach 20th level in this class.
Indomitable
Beginning at 9th level, you can reroll a saving throw that you fail. If you do so, you must use the new roll, and you can’t use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
You can use this feature twice between long rests starting at 13th level and three times between long rests starting at 17th level.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 11th level, you can attack three times, instead of twice, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
The number of attacks increases to four when you reach 20th level in this class.
Extra Attack
At 20th level, you can attack four times, instead of three, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Martial Archetypes
Different fighters choose different approaches to perfecting their fighting prowess. The martial archetype you choose to emulate reflects your approach.
Champion Legacy This doesn't reflect the latest rules and lore. Learn More
The archetypal Champion focuses on the development of raw physical power honed to deadly perfection. Those who model themselves on this archetype combine rigorous training with physical excellence to deal devastating blows.
Improved Critical
Beginning when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
Remarkable Athlete
Starting at 7th level, you can add half your proficiency bonus (round up) to any Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution check you make that doesn’t already use your proficiency bonus.
In addition, when you make a running long jump, the distance you can cover increases by a number of feet equal to your Strength modifier.
Additional Fighting Style
At 10th level, you can choose a second option from the Fighting Style class feature.
Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.
Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
Superior Critical
Starting at 15th level, your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 18–20.
Survivor
At 18th level, you attain the pinnacle of resilience in battle. At the start of each of your turns, you regain hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier if you have no more than half of your hit points left. You don’t gain this benefit if you have 0 hit points.
Gunslinger
THIS IS UNOFFICIAL MATERIAL
These game mechanics are usable in your campaign if your DM allows them but not refined by final game design and editing. They aren’t officially part of the Dungeons & Dragons game and aren’t permitted in D&D Adventurers League events unless otherwise stated. To use this content, toggle the Critical Role content on in the character builder.
Most warriors and combat specialists spend their years perfecting the classic arts of swordplay, archery, or pole arm tactics. Whether duelist or infantry, martial weapons were seemingly perfected long ago, and the true challenge is to master them.
However, some minds couldn’t stop with the innovation of the crossbow. Experimentation with alchemical components and rare metals have unlocked the secrets of controlled explosive force. The few who survive these trials of ingenuity may become the first to create, and deftly wield, the first firearms.
This archetype focuses on the ability to design, craft, and utilize powerful, yet dangerous ranged weapons. Through creative innovation and immaculate aim, you become a distant force of death on the battlefield. However, not being a perfect science, firearms carry an inherent instability that can occasionally leave you without a functional means of attack. This is the danger of new, untested technologies in a world where the arcane energies that rule the elements are ever present.
Should this path of powder, fire, and metal call to you, keep your wits about you, hold on to your convictions as a fighter, and let skill meet luck to guide your bullets to strike true.
Firearm Proficiency
Starting when you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with firearms, allowing you to add your proficiency bonus to attacks made with firearms.
Gunsmith
Upon choosing this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with Tinker’s Tools. You may use them to craft ammunition at half the cost, repair damaged firearms, or even draft and create new ones (DM’s discretion). Some extremely experimental and intricate firearms are only available through crafting.
Firearm Properties
Firearms are a new and volatile technology, and as such bring their own unique set of weapon properties. Some properties are followed by a number, and this number signifies an element of that property (outlined below). These properties replace the optional ones presented in the Dungeon Master’s Guide. Firearms are ranged weapons.
Reload. The weapon can be fired a number of times equal to its Reload score before you must spend 1 attack or 1 action to reload. You must have one free hand to reload a firearm.
Misfire. Whenever you make an attack roll with a firearm, and the dice roll is equal to or lower than the weapon’s Misfire score, the weapon misfires. The attack misses, and the weapon cannot be used again until you spend an action to try and repair it. To repair your firearm, you must make a successful Tinker’s Tools check (DC equal to 8 + misfire score). If your check fails, the weapon is broken and must be mended out of combat at a quarter of the cost of the firearm. Creatures who use a firearm without being proficient increase the weapon’s misfire score by 1.
Explosive. Upon a hit, everything within 5 ft of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier) or suffer 1d8 fire damage. If the weapon misses, the ammunition fails to detonate, or bounces away harmlessly before doing so.
Ammunition
All firearms require ammunition to make an attack, and due to their rare nature, ammunition may be near impossible to find or purchase. However, if materials are gathered, you can craft ammunition yourself using your Tinker’s Tools at half the cost. Each firearm uses its own unique ammunition and is generally sold or crafted in batches listed below next to the price.
Firearms
| Name | Cost | Ammo | Damage | Weight | Range | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Pistol | 50g | 2g (20) | 1d8 piercing | 1 lb. | (40/160) | |
| Pistol | 150g | 4g (20) | 1d10 piercing | 3 lb. | (60/240) | |
| Musket | 300g | 5g (20) | 1d12 piercing | 10 lb. | (120/480) |
|
| Pepperbox | 250g | 4g (20) | 1d10 piercing | 5 lb. | (80/320) | |
| Blunderbuss | 300g | 5g (5) | 2d8 piercing | 10 lb. | (15/60) | |
| Bad News | Crafted | 10g (5) | 2d12 piercing | 25 lb. | (200/800) |
|
| Hand Mortar | Crafted | 10g (1) | 2d8 fire | 10 lb. | (30/60) |
Adept Marksman
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn to perform powerful trick shots to disable or damage your opponents using your firearms.
Trick Shots. You learn two trick shots of your choice, which are detailed under “Trick Shots” below. Many maneuvers enhance an attack in some way. Each use of a trick shot must be declared before the attack roll is made. You can use only one trick shot per attack.
You learn an additional trick shot of your choice at 7th, 10th, 15th, and 18th level. Each time you learn a new trick shot, you can also replace one trick shot you know with a different one.
Grit. You gain a number of grit points equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1). You regain 1 expended grit point each time you roll a 20 on the d20 roll for an attack with a firearm, or deal a killing blow with a firearm to a creature of significant threat (DM’s discretion). You regain all expended grit points after a short or long rest.
Saving Throws. Some of your trick shots require your targets to make a saving throw to resist the trick shot’s effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:
Trick Shot save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity modifier
Quickdraw
When you reach 7th level, you add your proficiency bonus to your initiative. You can also stow a firearm, then draw another firearm as a single object interaction on your turn.
Rapid Repair
Upon reaching 10th level, you learn how to quickly attempt to fix a jammed gun. You can spend a grit point to attempt to repair a misfired (but not broken) firearm as a bonus action.
Lightning Reload
Starting at 15th level, you can reload any firearm as a bonus action.
Vicious Intent
At 18th level, your firearm attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19-20, and you regain a grit point on a roll of 19 or 20 on a d20 attack roll.
Hemorrhaging Critical
Upon reaching 18th level, whenever you score a critical hit on an attack with a firearm, the target additionally suffers half of the damage from the attack at the end of its next turn.
Trick Shots
These trick shots are presented in alphabetical order.
Bullying Shot
You can use the powerful blast and thundering sound of your firearm to shake the resolve of a creature. You can expend one grit point while making a Charisma (Intimidation) check to gain advantage on the roll.
Dazing Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to attempt to dizzy your opponent. On a hit, the creature suffers normal damage and must make a Constitution saving throw or suffer disadvantage on attacks until the end of their next turn.
Deadeye Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to gain advantage on the attack roll.
Disarming Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to attempt to shoot an object from their hands. On a hit, the creature suffers normal damage and must succeed on a Strength saving throw or drop 1 held object of your choice and have that object be pushed 10 feet away from you.
Forceful Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to attempt to trip them up and force them back. On a hit, the creature suffers normal damage and must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed 15 feet away from you.
Piercing Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to attempt to fire through multiple opponents. The initial attack gains a +1 to the firearm’s misfire score. On a hit, the creature suffers normal damage and you make an attack roll with disadvantage against every creature in a line directly behind the target within your first range increment. Only the initial attack can misfire.
Violent Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one or more grit points to enhance the volatility of the attack. For each grit point expended, the attack gains a +2 to the firearm’s misfire score. If the attack hits, you can roll one additional weapon damage die per grit point spent when determining the damage.
Winging Shot
When you make a firearm attack against a creature, you can expend one grit point to attempt to topple a moving target. On a hit, the creature suffers normal damage and must make a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
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Posted Nov 3, 2021As for the Superior Technique fighting style, it seems to just be a bug as of current. I just tried to create a fighter with that fighting style and it would not let me select a maneuver as well. I had a similar situation happen to me with the Ranger spell list before (only a couple of the spell options from Tasha's wasn't able to be selected in that case).
As for the amount of superiority dice, pre-level 7, you should have 4d8 superiority die listed under the Battlemaster's Combat Superiority feature, 1d6 from Superior Technique under Fighting Style (when it is working), and the 1d6 from the Martial Adept feat. So if everything is working, you technically have 6 superiority die, they are just not all in one pool of dice.
Hope this helps you out.
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Posted Nov 3, 2021Thanks for the info, and I agree.
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Posted Nov 3, 2021I am creating a Fighter Battlemaster on DnD Beyond. I bought the Players Handbook, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, and Xanthar's from DnD Beyond. I selected the SUPERIOR TECHNIQUE fighting style from Tasha's to fully commit to the Battlemaster lifestyle but it does not allow me to select a battlemaster maneuver. I also took the Martial Adept feat which allowed me to select two maneuvers.
Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong. I could be doing something wrong, I am a little new at this. I paid for the three books so I should have access to the contents on the website. I don't think that is the cause of my problem. Again, it could be my error.
Can anyone help?
I also noticed that I only have 4 superiority dice instead of 6.
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Posted Nov 3, 2021RAW dispel magic specifies it only affects spells of certain levels, and the runes of the rune knight, although magical, are by no means spells. It would be up to the rules at the table about dispel magic affecting more than just spells specifically.
In addition, as a personal opinion, I think it'd feel absolutely terrible as the player to have 80% of your character's features removed from a single 3rd level spell.
Besides this though, the area of an antimagic field would supress the effects of the runes as that does affect magical effects besides spells.
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Posted Nov 2, 2021I love the gunslinger there is nothing like it
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Posted Nov 1, 2021Question about the Rune Knight.
Does casting dispel magic on a Rune Knight dispel his runes?
Or are the Runes considered something else, the description does say they are magical?
If it does dispel how does it interact and does it work vs the passive Runes?
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Posted Oct 31, 2021My current adult party includes three players who are playing for the first time.
One picked wizard, one picked sorcerer. My wife went with a rogue.
So, I tried to figure out whether I was going to be the tank or the healer, and therefore which role we didn't get. I thought about a cleric to cover both, but then we ran the risk of me completely dominating the party. Instead, I'm a barbarian.
We don't have a healer, and that's become our running gag. Also, our team leader has a 7 Intelligence and often confuses children with full-grown adults (being a halfling and all).
At some point, we'll remake the group and make a more-properly-balanced group, but I almost think we'll miss something. The Raging Medics (our accidental team name) are a hilarious group, and a whole lot of fun to play despite not filling all of the roles.
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Posted Oct 22, 2021Thank you. That combo could lead to a nice single power attack. One reaction gets burned but you get a giant's might with advantage single swing of your weapon. A very nice power build. :-)
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Posted Oct 21, 2021Neither Storm Rune or Giant's Might are spells, they're abilities. They do not require concentration.
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Posted Oct 20, 2021I see why five human fighters can all be unique. Play Battle Masters. The Battle Master Builds section in TCoE shows you how to make different types of warriors, all using the same subclass. Five wizards could each learn a different list of spells.
But the true prize is an all cleric party. Clerics are so versatile, and can play just about any role! It all depends on the spells you prepare and most importantly, the domain and deity you pick. Forge or War cleric for tanking. Trickery for stealth. Light and Tempest for destructive spellcasting. Life and Twillight for healing. Order and Peace for social interaction and team support. Tempest and Twilight clerics are good at any role. Both make reliable tanks, and all clerics have the support role built in.
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Posted Oct 20, 2021Why not play 4-th edition then? Or MMORPG. If the ONLY thing thats makes your character unique is its class or role in team composition, thats kinda sad, isn't it? Sticking only to "The balanced team" you rob yourself of much more fun scenarios, like five rogues trying to start their own thives guild, or team of wizards in the magic academy, or pirate crew of monks that don't need a boat to board a ship. Or how about making unique characters by character dynamics between party members? Party of all human fighters can be as diverse as balanced one if you put your mind in to it. This game is about creative applications of rules, not about math-crunching optimisation.
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Posted Oct 19, 2021Party balance does make a D&D game more fun, because it allows you to play a character that is unique. Your character would fulfill a role that another player's character does not, making your character stand out. Thats why I create a whole bunch of different characters, so I can choose one based on party composition.
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Posted Oct 16, 2021Can a Rune Knight have their storm rune active and giant's might. I know both require a bonus action to activate but do they require concentration? Here is what I am trying to say:
Round One: Bonus action active Storm Rune active power that uses the reaction to give advantage or disadvantage. Attack or something as main action.
Round Two: Bonus Action: Activate Giant's Might. Now my attack should benefit from giants might and I can use my reaction to give myself advantage on the attack.
Rounds Three through Ten: If possible, do lots and lots of damage.
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Posted Oct 15, 2021I really want some kind of counterbalance to spells for martial classes. Some kind of techniques that we could learn by leveling up and training. They don't have to be spectacular but i really want to do more then just ''I attack x target with my y weapon''. Something like slashing few enemys with one attack or boosting my allays so they could jump further or even bouncing off the walls (rather bad exampels). Things that your well treined Fighter or monk could do.
Sorry for English :)
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Posted Oct 15, 2021Something I was thinking was you could have a drow or duergar or kobold or something with light hypersensitivity that is a melee fighter, using their abilities to full use in the darkness and using a blindfold and blind sense from blind fighting style to avoid the aggressive light in daylight. Also, a drow could use their darkness and blind sense to be one fo the few with the power to see in a situation they can create.
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Posted Oct 15, 2021Why can't Arcane Archers use a crossbow as a weapon for Arcane Shots? Like, I get it that it's supposed to be elven magic, so they wouldn't be running around with heavy crossbows, but I like the idea of being able to turn a crossbow into a magical leeching sniper.
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Posted Oct 12, 2021Highly recommend Stibbles guide to companions for sidekick like characters and how to adapt them to campaigns (especially if you want them to stay relevant/helpful)
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Posted Oct 7, 2021Blind Fighting is meant for melee characters, as the Blindsight range is only 10 ft.
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Posted Oct 6, 2021-
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Posted Oct 5, 2021Ummmm how exactly do you intend for this character to work? Because being blind in D and D means you have disadvantage on all attack rolls, the blind fighting fighting style does exist but I think that only gives blindsight out to like 10 feet.