Battle Master - Variant

A variant of the Battle Master archetype which remodels the superiority dice to work similarly to the Psionic Talent Dice from the Psi Knight subclass (UA).

V0.2.1 Changes: 

- Changed the description to also reflect the short description (the short description actually summarized the variant while the full description didn't, it now does)

Combat Superiority

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

Maneuvers. You learn three maneuvers of your choice, which are detailed under “Maneuvers” below. Many maneuvers enhance an attack in some way. You can use only one maneuver 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.

Superiority Die. You have access to a single superiority die, which is a d6 that changes size as you use it. Should you expend your Superiority Die, you can not use it again until completing a short or long rest.

Your superiority die increases in size at 7th, 10th, and 15th level.  At 18th level, it also has the ability to replenish.

Changing the Die’s Size. If you roll the highest number on your Superiority die, it decreases by one die size after the roll. This represents you burning through your energy as you put more of it into your maneuvers. For example, if the die is a d6 and you roll a 6, it becomes a d4. If the die is a d4 and you roll a 4, the die is expended and becomes unusable until you finish a short or long rest. On a short rest, your die becomes usable as a d4. On a long rest, it becomes usable as the standard die size for your level. Starting at 18th level, if you roll the lowest number on your superiority die, it increases by one die size up to a maximum of it's standard size for your level.

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

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

Student of War

At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with one type of artisan’s tools of your choice.

Maneuvers

The maneuvers are presented in alphabetical order.

Commander’s Strike

When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo one of your attacks and use a bonus action to direct one of your companions to strike. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you and roll your superiority die. That creature can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack, adding the superiority die to the attack’s damage roll.

Disarming Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die and attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it’s holding. You add the superiority 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.

Distracting Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to distract the creature, giving your allies an opening. You add the superiority 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.

Evasive Footwork

When you move, you can roll your superiority die and add the number rolled to your AC until you stop moving.

Feinting Attack

You can roll your superiority die and use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature this turn. If that attack hits, add the superiority die to the attack’s damage roll.

Goading Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. You add the superiority 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.

Lunging Attack

When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can roll your superiority die to add the total to the damage roll and to increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet.

Maneuvering Attack

When you hit with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to add the total to the damage roll and to allow a creature that can see or hear you to use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

Menacing Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to attempt to frighten the target. You add the superiority 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.

Parry

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

Precision Attack

When you make a weapon attack roll, you can roll your superiority die and add it to the roll before or after the roll but before any effects are applied.

Pushing Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the superiority 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.

Rally

On your turn, you can use a bonus action and roll your superiority die to bolster the resolve of one of your companions. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains temporary hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Charisma modifier.

Riposte

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

Sweeping Attack

When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can roll your superiority 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 superiority die. The damage is of the same type dealt by the original attack.

Trip Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can roll your superiority die to attempt to knock the target down. You add the superiority 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.

Know Your Enemy

Starting at 7th level, if you spend at least 1 minute observing or interacting with another creature outside combat, you can learn certain information about its capabilities compared to your own. The DM tells you if the creature is your equal, superior, or inferior in regard to two of the following characteristics of your choice:

• Strength score
• Dexterity score
• Constitution score
• Armor Class
• Current hit points
• Total class levels (if any)
• Fighter class levels (if any)

Improved Combat Superiority

Your superiority die becomes a d8. At 10th level it becomes a d10.

Improved Combat Superiority

Your superiority die becomes a d10. At 15th level, it becomes a d12.

Improved Combat Superiority

Your superiority die becomes a d12.

Relentless

At 18th level, your superiority die can now increase by one die size, up to a maximum of a d12 when you roll the minimum value of your current superiority die. An example of this is if your Superiority Die is currently a d4 and you roll a 1, it will increase in size to a d6