Those who embody the Apex Predator archetype are the ultimate hunters, mastering the primal laws of tooth and claw. To an Apex Predator, combat is not a discipline studied in books—it is an instinct honed through relentless survival, ambush, and domination of the wilds. Their knowledge is written in blood, their techniques refined through countless hunts. They do not simply fight; they stalk, strike, and end conflicts with ruthless efficiency. While others train in battle as an art, the Apex Predator is the art—an unstoppable force of nature, feared by all who tread their domain.

Predatory Combat

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called Predator dice.

Predatory Strikes. You learn three Predatory Strikes of your choice, which are detailed under “Predatory Strikes” below. Many of them enhance an attack in some way. You can use only one Predatory Strike per attack.

You learn two additional maneuvers of your choice at 7th, 10th, and 15th level. Each time you learn new maneuvers, you can also replace one maneuver you know with a different one.

Predator Dice. You have four predator dice, which are d8s. A predator die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended predator dice when you finish a short or long rest.

You gain another predator die at 7th level and one more at 15th level.

Saving Throws. Some of your predatory strikes require your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver’s effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:

Predatory Strike save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice)

Wilderness Survivor

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Survival skill if you don’t already have it. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses this proficiency.

Predatory Strikes

The Predatory Strikes are presented below.

Ambush

When you make a Dexterity (Stealth) check or an initiative roll, you can expend one Predator die and add the die to the roll, provided you aren’t incapacitated.

Cleaving Strike

When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to attempt to damage another creature with the same attack. Choose another creature within 5 feet of the original target and within your reach. If the original attack roll would hit the second creature, it takes damage equal to the number you roll on your Predator die. The damage is of the same type dealt by the original attack.

Constricting Strike

Immediately after you hit a creature with a melee attack on your turn, you can expend one Predator die and then try to grapple the target as a bonus action (see the Player’s Handbook for rules on grappling). Add the Predator die to your Strength (Athletics) check.

Counter Strike

When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one Predator die to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. If you hit, you add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll.

Crushing Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator  die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you push the target up to 15 feet away from you.

Disarming Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it’s holding. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and the target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it drops the object you choose. The object lands at its feet.

Elemental Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to unleash elemental energy with your attack. Choose acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder—your strike surges with that element, dealing extra damage of they damage type equal to your Predator Die.

Goading Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Hunter's Presence

When you make a Charisma (Intimidation), a Wisdom (Survival), or a Intelligence(Nature) check, you can expend one Predator die and add the Predator  die to the ability check.

Lunging Strike

When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can expend one Predator die to increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet. If you hit, you add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll.

Marking Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to distract the creature, giving your allies an opening. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll. The next attack roll against the target by an attacker other than you has advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

Menacing Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to attempt to frighten the target. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Precision Strike

When you make a weapon attack roll against a creature, you can expend one Predator die to add it to the roll. You can use this maneuver before or after making the attack roll, but before any effects of the attack are applied.

Predator's Awareness

When you make an Intelligence (Investigation), an Wisdom (Perception), or a Wisdom (Insight) check, you can expend one superiority die and add the superiority die to the ability check.

Predator's Endurance

When another creature damages you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one Predator die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your Predator die + your Dexterity modifier.

Predator's Toss

As a bonus action, you can expend one Predator die and make a ranged attack with a weapon that has the thrown property. You can draw the weapon as part of making this attack. If you hit, add the Predator die to the weapon’s damage roll.

Savage Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to attempt to knock the target down. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you knock the target prone.

Skirmishers Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one Predator die to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. You add the Predator die to the attack’s damage roll, and you choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature can use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

Will of the Predator

Starting at 7th level, your mind has been sharpened by the time you have spent hunting and tracking your prey. When you make an ability check or saving throw, you can add your Constitution modifier to the roll. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (a minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Improved Predatory Combat

At 10th level, your Predator dice turn into d10s. At 18th level, they turn into d12s.

Relentless Predator

Starting at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no Predator dice remaining, you regain one Predator die.

Improved Predatory Combat

At 18th level, your Predator dice turn into d12s.