Let me start this off by saying that you can use any weapons to great success. However, this is simply a "Guide" from somebody who's made more fighters than they can count.
Melee. These are the most powerful weapons when it comes to raw damage, usually having the most or highest dice for the least amount of hassle. The problem with melee weapons is that they don't have range (Obviously). My personal fighters almost always carry both a melee (Longsword, Greatsword, Maul) and a Light crossbow. Even just having range available is helpful but not always powerful, it is useful and going to be a problem if you don't however. Melee weapons that I've found useful include but are not limited to: Longswords (Use with shields for more AC), Greatswords (Great weapon fighting style for more damage on average), Maul (I Destroyed a bunch of skeletons once), Shortswords (Dex fighters favorite non-ranged weapon), Glaive (Sacrifices a small amount of damage for more reach and access to the polearm master feat).
Ranged. Less used with the fighter but just as effective as the rest. Ranged weapons aren't great when it comes to close range encounters so carrying a melee weapon or two is a good idea. These weapons are good at keeping you away from your enemies, ambushing, or just looking really cool. Why choose a ranged weapon? Have you heard of the archery fighting style (If you use dexterity and use a ranged weapon than choose archery as your fighting style, thank me later). Ranged weapons that are quite useful include: Longbows (The classic bow that's more than strong enough to take down your foes), Hand Crossbows (Do you want to dual wield crossbows? Good), Heavy Crossbows (The crossbow expert feat is calling your name).
Sheilds: Are you using a longsword in one hand? Than choose a shield!
I like the option that one handed weapons bring. You can fight while hanging from a rope where as a 2-handed person really can't. Also if you need the other hand for dragging something or while tied to someone or something.
I don't feel like there is a fighting style that helps versatile weapons that much, tho. I think the +2 from dueling should apply to versatile weapons while wielding 2-handed.
I prefer a halberd. I don’t know why, but something speaks to me about cleaving through someone with a giant two handed sword. But I don’t see it here, so.
A halberd is a polearm if I remember correctly, it is also more of an axe than a sword according to google since I had no idea what a halberd was at first.
It's hard to argue the classic "sword & board" route, especially when getting more AC early levels is fairly difficult. Shields grant a substantial AC bonus and if you can't find one in Basic Starting Town #871, your DM knows this and is intentionally being a butthole.
The title of the thread and the questions asked doesn't match. What is "best" is not necessarily what anyone's favourite is.
The beauty of the fighter class is its versatility. Pretty much anything can work depending on how you build it. A GWF/GWM Samurai with a greatsword can wreak havoc on pretty much anything. A sword and board champion can tank for days and a PAM/Sentinel Battle master with a glaive is pure area denial.
I like the ability of the longsword to be flexible. Use it with a shield for extra AC, or two-handed for extra damage. Of course the dueling fighting style gives a bigger bonus than using the longsword two-handed.
dual shortswords give you a second chance to hit is you miss first and if you have a +2 shortsword it is basically the same as a longsword
Isn't it that you only get the second attack if you hit the first? Anyway the dual-wielder feat and 2 longswords is very good. Add that to the two-weapon fighting style and its even better.
I find your lack of lances disturbing. Whips are great, too, despite having a small damage die; reach with a 1-handed weapon is hard to come by. Mounted Combatants also favor the lance for it being a 1-handed d12 weapon while mounted and even possibly TWF/GWM+10 with the appropriate feats!
Let me start this off by saying that you can use any weapons to great success. However, this is simply a "Guide" from somebody who's made more fighters than they can count.
Melee. These are the most powerful weapons when it comes to raw damage, usually having the most or highest dice for the least amount of hassle. The problem with melee weapons is that they don't have range (Obviously). My personal fighters almost always carry both a melee (Longsword, Greatsword, Maul) and a Light crossbow. Even just having range available is helpful but not always powerful, it is useful and going to be a problem if you don't however. Melee weapons that I've found useful include but are not limited to: Longswords (Use with shields for more AC), Greatswords (Great weapon fighting style for more damage on average), Maul (I Destroyed a bunch of skeletons once), Shortswords (Dex fighters favorite non-ranged weapon), Glaive (Sacrifices a small amount of damage for more reach and access to the polearm master feat).
Ranged. Less used with the fighter but just as effective as the rest. Ranged weapons aren't great when it comes to close range encounters so carrying a melee weapon or two is a good idea. These weapons are good at keeping you away from your enemies, ambushing, or just looking really cool. Why choose a ranged weapon? Have you heard of the archery fighting style (If you use dexterity and use a ranged weapon than choose archery as your fighting style, thank me later). Ranged weapons that are quite useful include: Longbows (The classic bow that's more than strong enough to take down your foes), Hand Crossbows (Do you want to dual wield crossbows? Good), Heavy Crossbows (The crossbow expert feat is calling your name).
Sheilds: Are you using a longsword in one hand? Than choose a shield!
Sorry if this wasn't well written.
I'm a weirdo-- I like nets. And dual shielding.
i like linguistics and, well, d&d, obviously. this bio hadn't been updated for 3 years so i figured i'd do that.
glaive
Nox - Adult Oblex - The Trials
Jartrin Ephok - Dragonborn - Zanoliv
Bunol - Grim Angel - The Floating Lands of Goriate
I would vote polearms, but somehow you missed that one but added mauls to the poll
I completely forgot about polearms, That's not an easy thing to forget too. Oh well, Wonder if I can edit it.
I like the option that one handed weapons bring. You can fight while hanging from a rope where as a 2-handed person really can't. Also if you need the other hand for dragging something or while tied to someone or something.
I don't feel like there is a fighting style that helps versatile weapons that much, tho. I think the +2 from dueling should apply to versatile weapons while wielding 2-handed.
I prefer a halberd. I don’t know why, but something speaks to me about cleaving through someone with a giant two handed sword. But I don’t see it here, so.
1 vote for halberd!
Extended Signature! Yay! https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21
Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.
A halberd is a polearm if I remember correctly, it is also more of an axe than a sword according to google since I had no idea what a halberd was at first.
It's hard to argue the classic "sword & board" route, especially when getting more AC early levels is fairly difficult. Shields grant a substantial AC bonus and if you can't find one in Basic Starting Town #871, your DM knows this and is intentionally being a butthole.
"The Epic Level Handbook wasn't that bad, guys.
Guys, pls."
Ey what if you had a strong wooden sword, lit it on fire, and than attacked an enemy with it
For casting fighters, a two handed weapon is the way to go to avoid juggling.
You choose a two handed weapon. But your Profile Picture has a One Handed weapon in it.
"A Jack Of All Trades is a master of none"
'That's why I hate Bards'
You're correct. How about that!
The title of the thread and the questions asked doesn't match. What is "best" is not necessarily what anyone's favourite is.
The beauty of the fighter class is its versatility. Pretty much anything can work depending on how you build it. A GWF/GWM Samurai with a greatsword can wreak havoc on pretty much anything. A sword and board champion can tank for days and a PAM/Sentinel Battle master with a glaive is pure area denial.
I like the ability of the longsword to be flexible. Use it with a shield for extra AC, or two-handed for extra damage. Of course the dueling fighting style gives a bigger bonus than using the longsword two-handed.
dual shortswords give you a second chance to hit is you miss first and if you have a +2 shortsword it is basically the same as a longsword
You missed rapiers. Best weapon for a dex fighter other than a longbow
-Anders
Isn't it that you only get the second attack if you hit the first? Anyway the dual-wielder feat and 2 longswords is very good. Add that to the two-weapon fighting style and its even better.
Beardy druid.
Very beardy druid. With a cap.
I find your lack of lances disturbing. Whips are great, too, despite having a small damage die; reach with a 1-handed weapon is hard to come by. Mounted Combatants also favor the lance for it being a 1-handed d12 weapon while mounted and even possibly TWF/GWM+10 with the appropriate feats!
I'm a fan of the variant human so I go for the dual wielding feat when I play fighters and dual wield longswords with TWF.
Beardy druid.
Very beardy druid. With a cap.