fighter 5e guide
Fighter 5e Guide: An Overview
Fighters excel in weapon mastery and consistent damage output, utilizing various combat styles effectively. They are foundational combatants in Dungeons & Dragons 5e.
This guide explores building a powerful Fighter, from core features to advanced tactics, ensuring success in any campaign setting and challenge.
The Fighter class in Dungeons & Dragons 5e embodies martial prowess, representing warriors dedicated to honing their combat skills. They are masters of weaponry and tactics, capable of adapting to diverse battlefield situations. Unlike spellcasters, Fighters rely on physical strength, agility, and strategic thinking to overcome their foes.
Fighters learn the basics of all combat styles, making them versatile and effective in any party composition. Their consistent damage output, stemming from multiple attacks per turn, establishes them as reliable damage dealers. This class is ideal for players who enjoy direct engagement and tactical combat, offering a straightforward yet deeply customizable experience. They are the backbone of many adventuring groups, providing essential frontline strength and resilience.
Core Class Features
Fighters gain several defining features from level one, shaping their combat effectiveness. Fighting Style allows specialization in specific weapon types or combat approaches, like Archery or Defense. Second Wind provides self-healing during battle, offering crucial sustain. Action Surge, a cornerstone ability, grants an extra action on a turn, enabling devastating combos or crucial maneuvers.
As Fighters progress, they gain Extra Attack, increasing damage output significantly. Indomitable allows rerolling a failed saving throw, bolstering resilience. Protective lets them impose disadvantage on attacks targeting nearby allies, showcasing their defensive capabilities. These core features combine to create a durable, adaptable, and consistently damaging combatant, forming the foundation for specialized subclasses.
Fighter Subclasses: Choosing Your Path
Fighter subclasses offer diverse specializations, from the tactical Battle Master to the magically inclined Eldritch Knight, shaping your combat role.
Battle Master
The Battle Master subclass focuses on tactical prowess and battlefield control, utilizing Superiority Dice to fuel maneuvers. These maneuvers add effects to attacks, like disarming opponents or pushing them into unfavorable positions.
Choosing the right maneuvers is crucial, adapting to different combat scenarios. This subclass rewards players who think strategically and aren’t simply focused on raw damage. Battle Masters are masters of exploiting weaknesses and turning the tide of battle through clever application of their abilities.
They excel at disrupting enemy formations and supporting allies, making them valuable assets in any party composition. Effective Battle Masters carefully manage their Superiority Dice, ensuring they have options available when needed most.
Champion
The Champion subclass embodies the archetype of the relentless warrior, focused on maximizing physical prowess and critical hit potential. Their core feature, Improved Critical, expands the range for critical hits, making them consistently devastating in combat.
This subclass is straightforward and easy to play, making it ideal for players new to the Fighter class or those who prefer a simpler, more direct approach to combat. While lacking the tactical complexity of other subclasses, the Champion excels at dealing consistent, high damage.
They are masters of raw power, relying on strength and determination to overcome their foes. A Champion’s relentless attacks can quickly overwhelm opponents, making them a formidable force on the battlefield.
Eldritch Knight
The Eldritch Knight blends martial prowess with arcane magic, offering a unique and versatile Fighter experience. They learn spells from the abjuration and evocation schools, enhancing their combat abilities with magical effects. Weapon Bond is a key feature, allowing them to summon a favored weapon as a bonus action.
This subclass provides tactical flexibility, enabling Fighters to adapt to various situations. War Magic allows them to cast a cantrip and make a weapon attack, combining spellcasting and martial skill.
Eldritch Knights are not full spellcasters, but their limited magical abilities significantly augment their fighting capabilities, making them potent and adaptable combatants.
Samurai
The Samurai subclass embodies disciplined warriors focused on swift, decisive strikes and unwavering resolve. A core feature is Fighting Spirit, granting temporary hit points and advantage on attack rolls, representing a surge of focused energy before combat. This ability defines their aggressive playstyle.
Samurai excel at burst damage, capitalizing on opportunities to deliver powerful attacks. Tireless Spirit allows them to recover a bit of health during a short rest, enhancing their endurance in prolonged engagements.
This path is ideal for Fighters who prefer a proactive, high-risk, high-reward approach to combat, dominating encounters with calculated aggression and martial skill;
Rune Knight
The Rune Knight subclass draws power from ancient runes, imbuing themselves with elemental strength and formidable defenses. At 3rd level, they learn to inscribe runes onto their weapons, granting various benefits like increased size, fire resistance, or enhanced attacks.
Giant’s Might is a defining feature, allowing the Rune Knight to grow to a large size, gaining advantage on Strength checks and intimidation, and increased reach in combat. This ability dramatically alters their battlefield presence.
This subclass suits Fighters who enjoy a blend of offense and defense, controlling the battlefield and becoming a resilient, imposing force.
Building Your Fighter: Key Considerations
Fighter builds require careful planning of ability scores, backgrounds, and feats to maximize combat prowess and roleplaying potential within the D&D 5e system.
Ability Scores: Prioritization
Strength is paramount for most Fighter builds, directly impacting attack rolls and damage with melee weapons. Prioritize maximizing this score early on. Dexterity is crucial for armor class, initiative, and ranged attacks, making it a strong secondary choice.
Constitution is vital for all characters, but especially Fighters, as it boosts hit points and concentration saves. Don’t neglect this stat! Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma are less critical, though useful depending on your chosen background and desired roleplaying aspects.
Consider backgrounds like Soldier, Noble, or Guard, which offer relevant skill proficiencies. Remember to tailor your ability score allocation to your chosen Fighter subclass and preferred combat style for optimal effectiveness.
Backgrounds for Fighters
Selecting the right background significantly enhances a Fighter’s roleplaying potential and provides useful skill proficiencies. The Soldier background is a classic choice, offering Athletics and Intimidation, reflecting military training; Noble grants History and Persuasion, suitable for a knightly or aristocratic Fighter.
Guard provides Insight and Perception, ideal for a vigilant protector. Entertainer, while less common, can create a charismatic and skilled duelist. Artisan and Farmer offer unique roleplaying opportunities, while Sailor suits seafaring adventures.
Consider how the background’s personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws will shape your Fighter’s story and interactions. Choose a background that complements your envisioned character and playstyle.
Combat Strategies for the Fighter
Fighters dominate the battlefield through weapon mastery, utilizing fighting styles and maximizing Action Surge for devastating turns. Second Wind provides crucial self-healing.
Weapon Mastery and Fighting Styles
Fighters truly shine with their innate weapon proficiency, mastering a diverse array of arms and armor. No other class utilizes the Weapon Mastery system quite as effectively, allowing for specialization and consistent damage output. Choosing a Fighting Style at 1st level is paramount, defining your combat approach.
Options range from the defensive prowess of the Defense style to the aggressive reach of Great Weapon Fighting. Archery is ideal for ranged builds, while Two-Weapon Fighting unlocks a flurry of attacks. Consider your chosen subclass and preferred weaponry when selecting a style; it’s a foundational decision impacting your entire career. Experimentation is key to discovering what best suits your playstyle and maximizes your battlefield effectiveness.
Action Surge: Maximizing Your Turn
Action Surge is a defining feature of the Fighter class, granting an additional action on your turn. This ability dramatically increases your potential for damage, control, or utility in a single round. It’s not merely an extra attack; it’s a versatile tool for any combat situation.
Use it to unleash a devastating combo, cast a quick spell (if an Eldritch Knight), disengage and reposition, or even shove an enemy off a cliff. Strategic timing is crucial. Save it for critical moments, capitalizing on openings or responding to immediate threats. Mastering Action Surge separates a good Fighter from an exceptional one, turning the tide of battle in your favor.
Second Wind: Self-Healing
Second Wind is a bonus action granted to Fighters, providing a quick burst of self-healing during combat. It restores a number of hit points equal to 1d10 + your Fighter level, offering crucial survivability without relying on spells or potions. This ability recharges on a short or long rest, making it consistently available throughout an adventure.
Don’t underestimate its value. Use Second Wind proactively to stay in the fight, rather than waiting until you’re critically injured. It’s particularly effective for tank builds, allowing you to absorb more damage and protect your allies. It’s a simple, yet powerful tool that enhances the Fighter’s resilience.
Advanced Fighter Tactics
Fighters can specialize in tanking, ranged combat, or dual-wielding, each requiring unique strategies. Mastering these builds maximizes battlefield control and damage output.
Tank Fighter Build: Defense and Protection
The Tank Fighter build prioritizes survivability and protecting allies, becoming a bulwark against enemy attacks. Focus on the Defense Fighting Style, maximizing Armor Class (AC) with heavy armor. Essential feats include those bolstering defenses, like Tough, to increase hit points, and potentially Sentinel to control enemy movement.
Consider a background like Soldier or Guard, providing relevant skills and proficiencies. Multiclassing isn’t typically recommended for a pure tank, as it can dilute core Fighter abilities. Prioritize Strength for attack rolls and Constitution for hit points and concentration saves.
Tactically, position yourself to intercept attacks aimed at squishier party members. Utilize Second Wind and healing potions to maintain health, and focus on drawing enemy attention. This build excels at holding the line and creating opportunities for damage dealers.
Ranged Fighter Build: Archery and Distance
The Ranged Fighter build capitalizes on dealing damage from a safe distance, utilizing archery as its primary weapon. The Archery Fighting Style is crucial, granting a +2 bonus to attack rolls with ranged weapons. Prioritize Dexterity to improve attack rolls, damage, and Armor Class. A high Constitution score is also vital for maintaining concentration on spells if multiclassing.
Backgrounds like Outlander or Folk Hero can provide useful skills. Feats like Sharpshooter significantly increase damage output, while Crossbow Expert enhances crossbow effectiveness. Maintaining distance is key; utilize terrain and tactical positioning.
Consider spells from the Eldritch Knight subclass for added utility. Focus on consistent damage and avoiding close-quarters combat, letting allies engage enemies up close.
Two-Weapon Fighting: A Detailed Look
Two-Weapon Fighting allows a Fighter to make an additional attack as a bonus action with a light weapon in the off-hand. This significantly increases action economy, potentially doubling attack output. However, it requires careful consideration of damage and accuracy.
To maximize effectiveness, prioritize feats like Dual Wielder, which allows the use of heavier weapons. The Agile Parry feature from the Battle Master subclass can enhance defense. Dexterity is paramount, influencing both attack rolls and damage.
Be mindful of the -5 penalty to the second attack’s damage roll unless the Two-Weapon Fighting style is taken. This style negates the penalty, making it a core component of a successful build.
Feats for the Fighter
Fighters benefit greatly from feats like Great Weapon Master, Polearm Master, and Resilient (Dexterity), enhancing combat prowess and survivability significantly.
Great Weapon Master
Great Weapon Master is a powerful feat for Fighters wielding heavy weapons, dramatically increasing damage output at the cost of accuracy. It allows for a +10 damage bonus on weapon hits when using two-handed weapons, but requires a roll of 9 or higher to hit.
Additionally, after a hit with a two-handed weapon, you can choose to inflict an additional damage die, further amplifying your offensive capabilities. This feat synergizes exceptionally well with the Fighter’s Action Surge, enabling multiple opportunities to trigger the bonus damage in a single turn.
However, the accuracy penalty demands careful consideration, especially against enemies with high Armor Class. It’s best suited for builds focused on maximizing damage and benefiting from consistent, powerful strikes.
Polearm Master
Polearm Master is a fantastic feat for Fighters specializing in polearms – glaives, halberds, and quarterstaffs. It grants the ability to make a bonus action attack with the polearm’s butt, dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage and creating space from opponents.
This bonus action attack is crucial for maximizing damage output and controlling the battlefield. It also allows for opportunity attacks when an enemy enters your reach, further enhancing defensive capabilities. The feat pairs exceptionally well with Sentinel, creating a formidable zone of control.
Effectively utilizing Polearm Master requires strategic positioning and awareness of enemy movements, making it a rewarding choice for tactical Fighters.
Resilient (Dexterity)
Resilient (Dexterity) is a valuable feat for Fighters, bolstering their defenses against common threats. It grants proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, which are frequently used by spells like fireball and dragon breath weapons. Improving survivability is paramount, especially at higher levels.
Many Fighters may not initially prioritize Dexterity, making this feat a crucial correction. It mitigates vulnerabilities and ensures the Fighter remains a steadfast presence on the battlefield. Passing these saves avoids debilitating conditions and maintains combat effectiveness.
This feat is a solid investment, enhancing overall resilience and reducing the risk of being incapacitated by area-of-effect spells.
Fighter at Different Levels
A Fighter’s progression offers increasing combat prowess. Early levels focus on core skills, mid-game unlocks subclasses, and late-game maximizes potential.
Early Game (Levels 1-5)
Fighters truly shine from the beginning, establishing themselves as reliable damage dealers. Levels 1-5 are about mastering fundamental combat techniques and choosing a fighting style.
Focus on maximizing Strength (for melee) or Dexterity (for ranged builds) during character creation. Prioritize feats like Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master when available, enhancing damage output significantly.
Experiment with different weapons to discover preferences. Utilize Second Wind frequently for self-healing during prolonged encounters. At level 3, selecting a subclass begins to define your Fighter’s long-term path.
Consider backgrounds like Soldier or Guard for relevant proficiencies and roleplaying opportunities. Early game success relies on consistent attacks and tactical positioning.
Mid Game (Levels 6-10)
The mid-game (levels 6-10) sees the Fighter becoming a formidable force, with increased capabilities and tactical options. Action Surge becomes a pivotal tool, allowing for bursts of incredible action during critical moments.
Continue refining your build based on your chosen subclass. Battle Masters gain maneuvers, Eldritch Knights access spellcasting, and Rune Knights unlock powerful rune abilities.
Focus on acquiring magic items that enhance your core strengths – weapons, armor, or items that boost ability scores. Consider the Resilient (Dexterity) feat to improve saving throws against common threats.
Strategic positioning and understanding enemy weaknesses are crucial for maximizing damage and controlling the battlefield. This is where a Fighter truly begins to dominate.
Late Game (Levels 11-20)
In the late game (levels 11-20), the Fighter reaches peak power, becoming a nearly unstoppable combatant. Subclass features fully mature, offering devastating abilities and unparalleled versatility.
Continue optimizing your gear, seeking legendary weapons and armor to further enhance your capabilities. Consider feats that complement your build, such as Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master for increased damage.
Mastering battlefield control and utilizing Action Surge strategically are paramount. A well-positioned Fighter can single-handedly turn the tide of battle.
At this level, the choice between Rune Knight and Battle Master becomes significant, with each offering unique strengths for high-level play.
Optimizing Your 20th Level Fighter
At level 20, Rune Knight and Battle Master Fighters both excel, though Rune Knight often edges out due to damage and overall abilities.
Rune Knight vs. Battle Master at High Levels
Fighters reaching 20th level present a fascinating comparison between the Rune Knight and Battle Master subclasses; While both are incredibly potent, subtle differences emerge at this power tier. The Battle Master’s consistent damage output and superior maneuverability remain strong assets, allowing for tactical control of the battlefield.
However, the Rune Knight often surpasses it in overall effectiveness. Giant’s Might provides a significant power boost, enhancing both damage and survivability. The Rune Knight’s runes offer versatile utility, from crowd control to enhanced defenses, adapting to diverse combat scenarios.
Ultimately, the Rune Knight’s scaling and inherent resilience make it a slightly more impactful choice for maximizing a 20th-level Fighter’s potential, though a well-optimized Battle Master remains a formidable force.
Unleash your inner warrior! Our ultimate D&D 5e Fighter guide covers builds, subclasses, feats & everything you need to conquer any campaign. Level up your game!